They’re pesky and annoying, but no matter what you do, eventually bug bites happen. If you’re looking for natural relief for the itch you can’t stop scratching, we’ve got good news for you! But first…

Why do bug bites itch?

One of the most common bug bites your little one will likely experience is a mosquito bite. Though mosquito bites can affect everyone differently, what a mosquito does remains consistent.

When a mosquito bites a person, they draw the person’s blood while injecting a bit of their saliva. That saliva contains an anticoagulant and proteins which the human body reacts to as foreign substances. As a result, the body’s immune system releases histamine which causes the itchiness, inflammation, and swelling in an attempt to help white blood cells get to the affected area to help heal it.

Treating bug bites with coconut oil

If you or your child can’t stand the itch any longer, you can treat the bug bite causing the issue with natural remedies. Of course, our favorite is coconut oil!

Coconut oil, when applied to bug bites, forms a thin layer on the affected area of the skin which helps protect it from any bacteria. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil prevent any germs from entering the body through the bite. At the same time, the coconut oil uses its anti-inflammatory properties to help provide relief from the itchiness that’s driving your little one crazy.

Final thoughts

Interested in learning more about what makes coconut oil a great natural remedy for a variety of issues? Check out our recent blog about lauric acid to learn what makes so great.