Is there anything worse than itchy, irritated skin? Whatever the cause may be, itchy skin makes it difficult to focus. The sooner you can figure out how to deal with the cause, the better. The problem here is that so many products on the market contain unhealthy or toxic ingredients. It’s imperative that you find a healthy and natural alternative.
Here are four to keep in mind.
1. Castor Oil for Chigger Bites
If you’ve ever been bitten by a chigger, you know just how irritating the bites can be. But what are chigger bites? Chiggers are small, hairy, red bugs that belong to the family of spiders. They eat blood from their prey and tend to be found in areas with thick vegetation – such as wooded areas and grassy fields. Chiggers go for the thin-skinned areas of the body, such as ankles, knees, and armpits, and leave aggravating bites that are itchy and red.
While there are a lot of myths about ways to heal bites – including putting nail polish on the bumps – it’s far better to take a natural approach. One of the best methods involves the use of castor oil, which provides immediate itch relief. Simply pour some oil on the affected areas and gently massage into the skin.
2. Honey for Ant Bites
Honey has numerous applications that extend far beyond cooking. If you’ve never researched the health benefits of honey, make sure you do so at some point. One of the many applications for honey involves ant bites.
Ant bites can be painful and itchy, often blistering over after a day or two. And if you have a lot of bites in one area, it can be particularly uncomfortable. Thankfully, honey can quickly come to the rescue. Apply some directly to the affected skin and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the honey off and repeat a couple times per day. The honey will reduce pain and aid in proper healing.
3. Tea Tree Oil for Acne
Acne, while it most commonly affects those going through puberty, can also appear on the skin of babies and adults. Knowing how to deal with acne can alleviate discomfort and prevent scarring.
One of the more effective natural solutions is melaleuca, also known as tea tree oil. Research shows that gel containing five percent tea tree oil is just as effective as medications containing five percent benzoyl peroxide.
“This home remedy for acne asks for you to mix 4–8 drops of tea tree oil and one teaspoon of coconut oil or jojoba oil,” says Dr. Josh Axe. “Dap lightly onto problem areas. Slight tingling is normal. Always use a carrier oil, as tea tree oil can be too harsh when applied directly to skin.”
4. Fresh Aloe Vera for Sunburn
Is there anything worse than a sunburn? It’s painful, itchy, and frustrating. And while there are plenty of products available at the drug store, you should be wary of lathering chemicals onto your already irritated skin.
The best solution is to put fresh aloe vera onto the skin. There are lots of products that claim to include aloe vera, but they typically only have trace amounts. Snipping off the tip of a fresh aloe leaf and squeezing the juice onto your sunburn is the best way to go.
Take Care of Your Skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it makes sense that you would care for it in a healthy manner. The average person carries eight pounds and 22 square feet of flesh and the last thing you want to do is expose it to unnecessary harm. When you have itchy skin, diagnose the problem and give one of these healthy methods a try.
Featured photo credit: Shutterstock.com via shutterstock.com
