Essential Oils for No See Um Bites

Are you thinking about using essential oils for no see um bites? The information to follow highlights why plant-based extracts can be used, some of the best essential oils for no see um bites, and how to apply these essential oils to affected areas.

Over-the-counter treatments like Benadryl and ‘Ivarest Poison Ivy Itch’ are typical options used to remedy no see um bites by homeowners.

However, as an avid user of plant extracts, you are interested in using essential oils for no see um bites. Like over-the-counter options, there are plenty of essential oils available to soothe itchy, inflamed bites.

This article explores some of the most widely used essential oils available for remedying no see um bites.

However, before we look at these extracts, let’s explore why it’s beneficial to use essential oils for no see um bites.

Why Use Essential Oils for No See Um Bites?

Essential oils are versatile plant extracts used for a plethora of conditions.

They pack quite a punch when used for no see um bites, as they contain powerful phytochemicals with different properties and actions.

When used for no see um bites, essential oils offer treatment on a symptomatic level. For example, excruciating itching and pain are associated with an onslaught of no see um bites.

Applying essential oils topically may soothe and reduce pain and itching.

In addition to the relief they provide, essential oils carry fewer risks when used appropriately.

Now that you know why you should use essential oils for no see um bites, let’s consider what oils are at your disposal.

Some of the best essential oils used to treat no see um bites include those that target specific symptoms. For a list of these oils, consider the options below.

1. Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha x piperita)

If you’ve ever consumed the peppermint herb as a tea, you’d have noticed how cooling and refreshing it is. The essential oil offers a similar sensation, at a much stronger level.

This is because of the oil’s menthol constituent, which makes up about 25.2%-76.7%, according to the Evidence-Based Essential Oil Therapy book by Dr. Scott A. Johnson.

Menthol is a type of alcohol.

Applying peppermint essential oil to the area is cooling and may not only soothe itchiness, but also pain. In fact, research showed that peppermint oil was successful in helping pregnant women deal with pruritus(itching). In another research, other individuals benefited from using peppermint oil for chronic itching.

I talk about how you can use essential oils for no see um bites later in the article, so don’t forget to read to the end.

2. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis nobile)

Roman chamomile essential oil is one of my favorites because of its memorable aroma. It’s not something you can ‘unsmell’ once you do.

In addition to its beautiful aroma, it’s rich in esters, which makes it a great essential oil for no see um bites. These esters (72% – 78%) give the oil its sedative and analgesic properties. This translates to a stronger remedy when used for pain and discomfort.

If you have sensitive skin, Roman chamomile may help you deal with the inflammation caused by no see um salivary proteins.

3. Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)

Most people aren’t fond of lavender’s scent, but they love what it does for them.

Like Roman chamomile oil, lavender is a superb option for pain and itching. In fact, it’s one of the most versatile volatile aromas on the market.

Lavender oil is said to contain anti-inflammatory properties, which may be useful for allergic conditions (often experienced by some people in severe no see um bite cases.)

4. Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limonum)

If you read my article about home remedies for no see um bites, you’d have seen where lemon was mentioned as an effective option.

The essential oil might also come in handy. According to Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics-Volume 1: Principles and Profiles by Peter Holmes, lemon essential oil is an analgesic. The book further lists the oil as being useful for insect stings for “itching and swelling.”

The essential oil also has an astringent action, which constricts the skin to further help with swelling.

5. Thyme ct. linalool (Thymus vulgaris L. ct. linalool)

The thyme herb was extensively used by ancient Greeks to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Not surprisingly, the oil’s chemical profile is beneficial for infected wounds and infections of the skin.

Using thyme as a cleaning agent is helpful, as it may remove the salivary protein responsible for much of the unfavorable symptoms connected with no see um bites.

Also a strong analgesic, thyme ct. linalool oil may pack a punch when used for no see um pain.

What Essential Oils are Good for No See Ums Repellents?

Essential oils such as peppermint, cedarwood, citronella, sweet basil, lemongrass, and litsea are good options for an insect repellent for no see ums.

When combined and used in a blend, you may be able to get relief from no see um bites.

As essential oils are volatile (which means they evaporate quickly), a concoction is more beneficial when applied several times throughout the day. (However, some concoctions may not be safe for pregnant women, especially when there is no substantial research/evidence available.)

How to Use Essential Oils for No See Um Bites

To use essential oils for no see um bites, it’s important to adhere to a few suggestions.

Never use an essential oil without proper dilution. An issue oil can be diluted using a carrier/vegetable oil or alcohol.

In addition, use essential oils in appropriate dilutions. There are many dilution ratios associated with diluting an oil. In fact, some essential oils contain a maximum dermal percentage. This indicates how much of the soil should be used in a blend to avoid hypersensitivity and skin irritation.

While most aromatherapists use a dilution ratio of 2% when applying to the skin, in my experience, a strong concoction is needed, especially when the oil is used as a repellent.

Since you won’t be using essential oils for no see um bites every day, you can get away with using a strong blend. (Remember, this isn’t for daily use.)

To use essential oils up to 2-5% for itching, pain, and swelling from no see um bites, here’s what you need to do.

Choose an essential oil from the list. You can use one or more essential oils to enhance its impact. Here are my choice oils: chamomile, peppermint, and lemon essential oils.

The next step is to find out how many drops of essentials you need to make up the 5% blend. Some persons find this difficult, but using an EO calculator makes the work easy.

You will also need to choose a carrier oil. My first option is tamanu, but the oil smells horrible. If you don’t like neem oil, you most definitely will hate this one. I will opt to use 15 ml of tamanu. Since this oil stinks, you may opt to use coconut or olive oil, but don’t underestimate tamanu. It works (at least for me).

Now that I know how much carrier oil will be used, let’s use the dilution calculator to see how many essential oils we need to use.

The calculator will ask for the size of the bottle you’ll be using. This is the same as the amount of carrier oil. In my case, I am using a 15 ml bottle. For the dilution % section, add 5%. (If you have sensitive skin, stick to the recommended 2% dilution ratio. If pregnant, opt for a 1% dilution ratio, and use lavender or lemon essential oil, or a mixture of both).

In my case, I need 15 drops of an essential oil to make a 5% blend. Since we are using 3 different essential oils, divide the 15 drops among all 3 oils. You can split it either way. However, since Roman chamomile is a strong-scented oil and might be a bit heady, you may want to go easy on it.

After choosing how you want to blend your oils, combine them in an amber-colored bottle and shake. Apply to affected areas.

If any adverse reaction occurs, remember to dilute the blend using more carrier oil. The 5% may well be too strong for your skin type. (Also, your skin might be sensitive to a particular essential oil. The best aromatherapy practice is to always conduct a patch test before using a new oil).

You may also dilute essential oils in alcohol and apply to the affected area.

What is the Fastest Way to Heal No-See-Um Bites?

There is no ‘fastest way to heal no see um bites’. However, your best defense to remedy the itch, pain, and swelling is to use a combination of treatment options. For example, you may choose to subsidize the topical application of an essential oil blend with an oral antihistamine like Benadryl to provide a bit more comfort.

What Can I Put on a No-See-Um Bite?

In addition to using essential oils, you can put home remedies like witch hazel, alcohol, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and others on affected areas. For OTC drugs, try using Benadryl topical cream.