It’s bug bite season: time to prepare for sun, fun, and … itchiness

If we have learned anything from living in the Midwest, it’s that there are 2 seasons. There is Winter and there is Bug Season. I am not a medical expert but I am a mom of 4 who grew up in the midwest which gives me the authority to provide some simple bug bite advice I’d like to think 🙂

Bug bites don’t have to hinder your summer if you know how to identify them and treat them correctly!

Midwest Bugs that will leave Bug Bites

What the midwest (specifically Minnesota for us) lacks in bug variety, it makes up for in bug quantity – you know it’s summer when you walk through a swarm of gnats or have to take cover inside when the mosquitos come out. That being said, this list probably won’t surprise you but is more a reminder of the bugs we are welcoming back into our lives this summer. It’s also important to remember how your location affects how many bugs you will come in contact with.

• Mosquitos
• Ticks – The most common types you will come across include: Deer (aka blacklegged), Wood (aka American Dog), and Lone Star
• Fleas
• Fire Ants
• Bedbugs
• Spiders: a bite from a Brown Recluse Spider will require medical consultation or attention from a healthcare provider
• Stinging insects: Bees, Wasps, and Hornests

Symptoms of Insect Bites

Thankfully in the midwest, we rarely have to deal with poisonous or dangerous insects. With mosquito bites, tick bites, and spider bites you can mostly expect red itchy or sensitive spots/bumps on the skin. As always, if you are facing any severe symptoms or have fever symptoms seek medical care

Insect stings can provide a range of mild reactions to severe reactions. With bee stings, wasp stings, etc. it’s important to be aware of allergies of those around you.

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How to treat your Bug Bites

2 Things that we keep in our home and in our car to stay prepared for Bug Season:

#1: Baby Oil Cream (the equate brand- this is important. We have tried other brands and they are less effective.)

#2 Itch Relief Gel (this does not necessarily need to be the equate brand- any brand will due).

Use the baby cream oil on everyone exposed to nasty, biting bugs. Including gnats and mosquitos! With bug bites the less you do the better – it’s in your best interest to be as hands off with the bite as you can. This means hold off on scratching, pressing, or pushing on the area, simply just apply the cream. Baby Oil Cream is formulated for babies so BAM, great from everyone from little on up! When the bug bitting season is over and we enter into the next season- WINTER, we use this baby cream oil up on dry winter skin to seal in the moisture after baths.

Use the Itch Relief Gel in case you forgot to apply the Baby Oil Cream. Again great for all ages! When applied to an itchy spot, this may sting just a touch, but thats when you know you applied it to just the right spot! Do not use it in our around the eyes.

We keep a set of these products in the car and at home. This way we’re always prepared!

Both items are inexpensive and can be used up year-round so you don’t have extra products sitting around, waiting for the next season.

Enjoy “bug season” while it lasts. Soon winter will be here and we’ll be begging for “bug season” again ;)!

Cheers!