Bug bites on the trail

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Well, this diabetic got a bad bug bite, and it looks like a damn zombie bite! Got it on my ankle, and I've been washing with antibacterial soap every day, with my shower in the morning, and before bed at night. I put dermoplast on it this morning, and have been putting large bandaids on it during the night. Trying to let it breathe during the major portion of the day.

Since bug bites are common on the trail (I got this one while cutting grass with a push mower), and this one got bad from frantic scratching, what do you do with a bad bite on the trail? What can you take with you? What plants can you use? (Yeah, poison ivy wouldn't be a good idea).
 
You might want to see a doctor if you have any kind of injury on the legs or feet and are diabetic!
 
Interesting thread topic!

It would be great to see a few responses from our resident wilderness plant experts - are there good natural remedies for this?

I'm pretty lucky when it comes to insects, as I have no allergies and I do not experience swelling or rashes when I get bitten or stung. The bugs were pretty fierce at times during my recent Algonquin trip, and everyone in my party received dozens of bites (despite our DEET). For me, a mosquito bite may show up as a little red spot that will almost certainly be gone the next day. For my cousin, though, every bite looked like a small wasp sting - they puffed up, became itchy, and were otherwise very uncomfortable. Poor guy.

I keep After Bite and Polysporin in my first aid kit when I'm hiking. The After Bite works nicely (it cuts down swelling and provides pain relief), though it stings like acid initially. The Polysporin is more soothing. These seem to work for me, but I would definitely be open to alternative approaches, especially natural remedies.

All the best,

- Mike
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Well, this diabetic got a bad bug bite, and it looks like a damn zombie bite! Got it on my ankle, and I've been washing with antibacterial soap every day, with my shower in the morning, and before bed at night. I put dermoplast on it this morning, and have been putting large bandaids on it during the night. Trying to let it breathe during the major portion of the day.

Since bug bites are common on the trail (I got this one while cutting grass with a push mower), and this one got bad from frantic scratching, what do you do with a bad bite on the trail? What can you take with you? What plants can you use? (Yeah, poison ivy wouldn't be a good idea).
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Injuries and sores in diabetics, particularly on the lower limbs, can be very problematic. I fully agree with m. See your doctor.

KR
 
I light my Bic lighter held at an angle so the silver wind cover is heated up real hot. Then i press it on the bite and hold it for about 5 seconds. Cures the itch pretty quick.
 
I've burned my bites before and seems to work but a burn can get just as infected as a bite. Obviously if you live in an area with poisonous snakes, wasps, spiders etc you should know what the signs are and check diligently. I tend to drain them, everytime i've gone to a doctor with an infected bite or read up on what I should do, the general response is drain it. May hurt like hell but should get a good chunk of the infection out. Then I plaster it with neosporin. Do NOT pinch bee stings to get the stingers out-you will just release more venom. With stings you want to scrape gently in one direction.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I've burned my bites before and seems to work but a burn can get just as infected as a bite. Obviously if you live in an area with poisonous snakes, wasps, spiders etc you should know what the signs are and check diligently. I tend to drain them, everytime i've gone to a doctor with an infected bite or read up on what I should do, the general response is drain it. May hurt like hell but should get a good chunk of the infection out. Then I plaster it with neosporin. Do NOT pinch bee stings to get the stingers out-you will just release more venom. With stings you want to scrape gently in one direction.
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I'm with PR on this one. I also carry a little chaw on me for bee and wasp stings. Grandmama's chew cure works like a champ. I didn't know about that until my buddy Jason's granny slapped a fat wad of backy on my neck straight outta her cheek when I got stung. As a small boy, it caught me by surprise a little. At first I thought she was just messin with me, but sure nuff. Stuff worked.
 
Dylside said:
I'm with PR on this one. I also carry a little chaw on me for bee and wasp stings. Grandmama's chew cure works like a champ. I didn't know about that until my buddy Jason's granny slapped a fat wad of backy on my neck straight outta her cheek when I got stung. As a small boy, it caught me by surprise a little. At first I thought she was just messin with me, but sure nuff. Stuff worked.
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Good to know. Got a legit reason to pack some dip now!
 
I dont know about "natural" treatments, but I am a firm believer in plain 'ol hot water and soap, and lots of it. ;) Often. Also, I have found from long experience that one thing my medicine cabinet will always have it the cheap green mentholated rubbing alcohol. It has a bit of lanolin it it too. I find repeated applications of this stuff to cure ring worm, pimples, bug bites, atheleted foot, etc.
 
This http://www.burn-away.com/ works very well for me on small burns and bites. I use the regular burn away on both. It doesn't mention it when I quick scanned just now but my bottle says it is all natural. I believe tea tree oil is the active ingredient and I may be WRONG but I think I read that tea tree is camelia FWIW.
 
For bug bites I carry a small bottle of "Sea Breeze" Astringent , avalible at walmart and most drug chains. Really works good to stop the itch. Also if you put some on a cloth and wipe your face with it , it really refreshes you and feels good. Get the yellow, not the blue.
 
more importantly than the itch or sting or burn or rash is the reaction. If you have even an inkling that you're allergic to anything, take an epipen and benedril tabs with you. I normally do even though I'm not alergic to anything I know of. I could brush up against some plant or get a bite from something I've never been bitten by before, it's just not worth the risk. Not to mention if you run into someone else who is allergic, you can assist them.
 
I always carry a small bottle of Lavender Essential Oil. It is available at about any health food store. It has been used for centuries in Europe to treat bug bites and stings, burns, scratches, etc. I find it to be as effective if not more so, than regular OTC remedies. Besides, it is non-toxic, and a very effective antiseptic. Kelly
 
PayetteRucker said:
more importantly than the itch or sting or burn or rash is the reaction. If you have even an inkling that you're allergic to anything, take an epipen and benedril tabs with you. I normally do even though I'm not alergic to anything I know of. I could brush up against some plant or get a bite from something I've never been bitten by before, it's just not worth the risk. Not to mention if you run into someone else who is allergic, you can assist them.
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Good point .... Most folks learn of new allergies when out in the woods.
 
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With bad poison ivy, I've used all sorts of stuff, but the alchohol bases cala-gel is my favorite. Or a belt sander.
 
Joezilla said:
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With bad poison ivy, I've used all sorts of stuff, but the alchohol bases cala-gel is my favorite. Or a belt sander.
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Yeah, belt sander... or, go see your doctor and see about a Prednisone prescription... either way is good. :p
 
First No Scratch as I tell the children use palm or knuckles not the nails! Loaded with crap just waiting to enter a wound. I reinforce this with the point of my knife by doing a scrapping and digging out any crud and there is always some.
Then I tell the tale of one of my trips and this child had an open ulcer on her leg as big as a quarter from the scratch of a mosquito bite.
Rolled crushed leaves Plantin rub on or cover on bite
http://houstonwildedibles.blogspot.com/2008/08/plantin.html
 
The commercially available product "after-bite" has worked well for me in the past, even on red ant bites and bee stings. In the woods cool mud tends to feel awful good, too. :)
 
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