Ease bothersome bites, stings and skin rashes with these handy homeopathic remedies, says David Needleman
You may think September signals the end of bite and sting season, but it’s actually a peak time for certain biting and stinging pests.
Wasps can become more aggressive at this time of year as their colonies reach the end of their annual life cycle, increasing the chances of getting stung. Mosquitos and ticks also remain highly active, especially during mild weather.
September is a common time for plant stings and rashes too. Stinging nettles are the main offenders in the UK, while those in the US need to watch out for poison ivy, oak and sumac as well.
Prevention is always better than cure, and there are plenty of effective natural ways to defend against bites and stings. Cover up with suitable clothing, avoid using floral-scented perfume and toiletries, and try essential oils like eucalyptus, citronella, thyme, peppermint, cedar, patchouli and clove.
But if bites or stings do happen, homeopathy can be a safe way to soothe skin reactions and speed healing. Here are 12 remedies—listed in order of importance—to have on hand in your first aid kit.
Made from bees, Apis is the most important first aid remedy for bee stings. Just remember to remove the stinger first, as soon as possible, by scraping it sideways with your fingernail.
Swelling or puffiness, especially at the site of the sting, along with stinging pains, soreness, rosy-looking skin and intolerance of heat are the main symptoms that point to Apis. Others include an intolerance to touch, intense itchiness, and sensations of stiffness or numbness.
Generally, Apis is indicated when symptoms are relieved by a cold compress, ice pack or other cold applications.
Hypericum is often used for pain relief and to speed healing after surgery. But it’s also ideal for bites with puncture wounds, either used alone or in combination with other remedies. It’s especially helpful for easing the shock that may accompany the puncture wound.
Other symptoms that suggest Hypericum is the right remedy include numbness, tingling or burning sensations, intense itching, a bruised feeling and an aversion to cold applications.
Reach for Ledum if a bite or sting feels better with the application of cold. Ledum is also a useful remedy for symptoms of poison oak exposure.
Derived from the stinging nettle, Urtica Urens is the go-to remedy for nettle stings. It’s also helpful for any bites and stings that result in red, itchy blotches on the skin, much like hives.
The skin may burn and sting and feel worse with the application of water or touch. There may also be the sensation of bugs crawling on the skin (formication).
Useful for wasp stings, acetic acid is indicated when there is a pallor to the skin, often accompanied by a waxy appearance. There may also be swelling, and the skin can be hot, dry or very sweaty.
This remedy is made from wasps and is therefore excellent for wasp stings.
Symptoms suggesting Vespa Crabro include skin redness and itchiness, which is relieved by applying vinegar. There may also be swelling and burning pain.
Sometimes bites and stings can cause a sensation of ants or bugs crawling all over your skin. Formica Rufa, made from ants, often treats this sensation quickly and effectively.
Prepared from the poison ivy plant, Rhus Tox is handy for rashes caused by poison ivy and other poisonous plants.
Symptoms that point to this remedy include red, swollen, itchy skin, fluid-filled blisters and cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection).
Rhus Tox is also a useful remedy for chicken pox and shingles.
If you’re planning on swimming where there are jellyfish, have some Medusa on hand. Prepared from jellyfish, the remedy can be used to treat jellyfish stings and other stings that cause skin puffiness, swelling and burning pain. It’s also indicated when there are fluid-filled blisters that look like nettle rash, especially on the face, arms, shoulders and breasts.
This is a remedy I made myself from a collection of dead noble false widow spiders sent to me by a patient who had an infestation of them. It can be used if you ever get bitten by one of these spiders, which are widespread in the US and UK.
They’re black or brown with white markings, and you’ll know you’ve been bitten by one if you feel a sudden pain like a wasp sting and see two piercing wounds very close together. You may have minor swelling, sweating around the bite and itching.
Steatoda Nobilis is available at Ainsworths, which offers international delivery.
Made from histamine, this remedy is excellent for all kinds of allergic reactions and is useful alongside your main remedy. It works like an antihistamine, but without the unwanted side effects like drowsiness.
For all the remedies mentioned, except for Silicea (see below) and Histaminum, I suggest 30C potency. Take one dose every hour for four hours, followed by one three times a day.
Histaminum is best taken in a 200X potency three times a day until symptoms have improved
Ticks can carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease, so it’s important to remove them quickly (use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the head rather than the body and clean the area thoroughly afterward) and watch out for signs of infection, like the red, circular “bullseye” rash that may develop around a bite.
Be sure to see a doctor if you notice any symptoms or feel unwell, but a consultation with a homeopath can also help.
A good remedy for tick bites is Silicea, although it’s often not advised for those with implants or transplants. Take it hourly in 6C or 12C potency for four to six hours, followed by one dose three times a day.
Applying Calendula mother tincture to the bite is also a good idea, as it works as an antiseptic.
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