Homeopathy has an excellent track record in treating chronic health problems, and many people are also aware of its effectiveness in acute and first aid situations. But did you know that a well matched remedy can reduce pain, itching and swelling rapidly in cases of stings and bites from insects? It is important to select the best remedy match to your symptoms, including the appearance of the affected area, and the subjective experience of the person affected. If you or any of your family members tend to react badly to stings and bites, it is advisable to have a kit of suitable homeopathic remedies at hand. Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy in the UK stock a good range of first aid remedy kits.
These are some of the main remedies which may be indicated:
Apis – is made from honey bee, and is the first remedy to think of in insect bites and stings with marked redness and rapid swelling. If the swelling is a cause for concern, Apis may be given on the way to seeking urgent medical assistance. The area affected is typically highly sensitive to touch and pressure, and is better for cold applications.
Ledum – is the other main remedy, and is more often indicated in stings and bites that are painful, but without marked swelling. The area may sting and throb, and may appear mottled and cold to the touch. I have found this remedy to be helpful in almost every case of wasp sting I have encountered.
Staphysagria – is a remedy often helpful for those who are especially susceptible to insect bites and stings. They often seem to be stung more than those around them. The area affected is highly sensitive to touch with intense itching. The person affected in this way will often feel tormented by the bites and the itching.
Urtica urens – a remedy for stings that resemble urticaria; blotchy rash with itching, stinging and burning pains.
Arnica – bear in mind Arnica for bites and stings where there is a bruised soreness in the affected parts, with aggravation from pressure. There may be extensive bruising to the area.
Caladium – this remedy is made from a variety of Arum, and is a less well known homeopathic remedy. However it is highly effective in cases where the stings or bites produce intense and violent itching and burning.
Lachesis – this remedy is indicated in stings or bites where there is painful swelling and a marked bluish or purplish discolouration.
Cedron – this remedy is made from the plant commonly known as rattlesnake bean, and has a reputation for antidoting snake bites and the stings of poisonous insects. The pain is typically burning and neuralgic in character.
Carb-ac – is a less well known remedy, which has an important place in emergency medicine. It is used for anaphylaxis following bee and other insect stings, with characteristic swelling of the face and tongue. I recommend to my clients who are especially susceptible to insect stings that they keep a small kit of remedies in their bag alongside their Epipen, and this would include Carb-ac and Apis, among others.
Grindelia – the tincture applied topically is noted as a useful treatment for poison ivy, and the remedy is also used for insect stings which result in intense itching and burning.
As always, if there is any cause for concern following an insect sting, do not delay in seeking urgent medical care.
For further information on giving the remedies, potency choice, and how to self-prescribe for first aid, see my free e-book ‘My Top Ten Homeopathic Remedies’.
Thank you Karen for this clear explanation and exposure of the insect bites remedies. Very useful to offer to people that are interested in using homeopathy for the first time, or sporadically.
Thank you very much!
Warm regards,
Rosa xx
Hi Rosa, I am so glad to hear you found the article helpful. Best wishes, Karen
Thank you very much for this informative post. I have both symptoms from lice bites that are swollen, bruised and painful to my earlobes.
I will take both arnica and Apis after reading your email message again
Hi Carol, for lice bites read Staphysagria also. I hope you find relief soon. Best wishes, Karen
Thank you, Karen, for this wonderful article ! And all of your wonderful articles!
I just wanted to mention to everybody in case you’re new to homeopathy or just foggy after getting stung to quickly take the pus smell. I didn’t have any and had to order it overnight. Amazon and I really wish I had had it immediately after getting strong. It makes such a difference.. so time is of the essence when you get stung. Also, I read that wasp venom is more alkaline than be venom and when you get stung by a wasp, you can apply apple cider vinegar, which is extremely acidic to neutralize the alkaline venom of the wasp and I have tried that today and it does seem to be helping, but I’m Waiting for my mail to be delivered .
Kindest regards all around, thank heavens for homeopathy !
~ Nell
Hi Emily, thank you for your kind comment :). Best wishes, Karen
Hi my sister has a bite near her eye which has caused swelling under her eye and eyelid causing her eye to be almost closed. Any suggestion which treatment to use. Thanks
Hi, have a look at each of the remedies listed, and see which one fits the symptom profile most closely. Individual matching is important – look at the appearance of the affected area, the sensation of the pain, and what the itching is like if the area itches. You might want to read Apis and Lachesis and see if one of those fits best. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen! I am prone to mosquito bites. Ill be outside for seconds and get about 10 bites. Should I take Staphysagria? 5 pellets daily?
Hi Brianne, thanks for your question. Yes if Staphysagria sounds like a match for your experience of the mosquito bites, you could start there. However homeopathic medicines are not the same as pharmaceuticals – we dose according to your response, rather than on a daily protocol. You only need one pellet or tablet per dose, and I suggest you take one dose hourly for up to four doses when you get a painful or itchy bite. If no change in the appearance or discomfort, the remedy is likely not a good match, so it is worth reconsidering and switching to a different remedy. If the discomfort reduces, stop the dose and only repeat if symptoms return. Best wishes, Karen
What would you use if you had a sting, blistered and weeks later your finger becomes numb intermittently?
Hi Julie, it sounds as though you were possibly stung by something unusual – gathering further clues as to what stung you may also provide some guidance to the homeopathic approach. Best wishes, Karen
i have this !!!
a really bad bite sting but didnt see what it was … but the inger and thumb of my right hand kep going numb too .. very weird
HI, I had a spider bite which caused 40 red bumps, going down slowy, but after a week still there…
Hi Monika, the choice of remedy is usually guided by your reaction to the bite – did any of the response patterns mentioned in the post match your experience? If not please say more here and I may be able to suggest further remedies to read about. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen, very helpful. We’ve recently moved next to a South Coast beach and would be interested to know which remedy you particularly recommend for jellyfish stings, whether adults or children
Hi Karen, so glad to hear you have found the remedy advice helpful. The main remedy for jellyfish stings is Urtica urens – made from nettle. The typical sensation is prickling and burning (just as you would experience from nettle stings), and this will often relieve jellyfish stings too. I suggest you keep Urtica urens 30c in your remedy kit. Best wishes, Karen
Hello karen
Ive just experienced anaphylacsis after a wasp sting. Thank you for your information. Symptoms came on quickly….full body redness….hives….blood felt boiling….swelling in ears and mouth and tongue….shaking…bp drop…loss of consciousness….better for lying down…..intense itching of skin….anger.
It looks like carb ac fits and I would like to have the correct strength on hand…..could you please advice.
On being stung I took apis mel 30c and aconite 30c…..perhaps urtica urens might have been a better choice. Any input would be so welcome….I’m a little shaken up after the ER and the whole experience. Ps ….my body does generally react strongly to bites and stings and i had multiple allergies as a child. Thank you in advance
Hi Carol, my apologies for not seeing your comment sooner. Regarding a strong history of reaction to bites and stings, constitutional treatment can be helpful to reduce your susceptibility as much as possible. If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, I would generally recommend that you follow doctors advice regarding carrying and using an Epipen if required, and it can be helpful to carry a small remedy kit too, with several likely remedies in a 30c or perhaps 200c potency. These can be taken alongside conventional treatment. Best wishes, Karen
Thank you, Karen! I need to redo my emergency kit.This information is very helpful!
Hi Cheryl, thanks for your comment, and so glad you found the blog post helpful! Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen and thanks for your amazing Services to us all!!!
What do you recommend for Spider bites and especially for mite bites that hurt badly for over a week ?
Hard to say if they are bird mites of mites a cat brings from mice on the farm . Torturous itching and pain from both …
Hi Sophia, thanks for your question and kind words. The remedies which will be helpful are those that match your experience of the symptoms – eg if the itching is very intense, and the area looks a little blistered, Rhus tox may be a match. If the area is swollen and discoloured and purplish in appearance, Lachesis may be helpful. Have a look at the ten remedies listed, and see which one matches your experience of the symptoms most closely. I hope this helps! Best wishes, Karen
Back 40 years ago, in Miami, FL, I had an elderly neighbor that was a bit slow. He was pruning some vines on his side of the fence a few feet from my kitchen and I saw a swarm of wasp hovering all around him, they must have bit him at least a dozen times on his shaven head, and he called for his wife, who was a speed merchant. She ran him into the house. Next day I saw her and asked how her husband was, and she responded like she didn’t know what I was talking about, so, I told her that I had seen him get annihilated by wasps. She said it was no big deal, that she just puts wet cigarette Tabacco on them and that is the end of the bites.
A few weeks later, the wasps got me on my middle finger, and I tried the Tabacco remedy, I poured the Tabacco out of the cigarette, wet it and made a ball and put it on the bite and enclosed it all with a Bandaid. I soon forgot about it and remembered the Bandaid when I was taking a bath that night. I took it off and there was absolutely no sign whatsoever of being bit, no swelling whatsoever. Been using it now for 40 years with all of my children. Wasps stings are nothing anymore.
Interesting, thanks for sharing!
This is Awesome information, thank you for sharing.
So glad it’s useful for you! Best wishes, Karen
I wonder if chewing tobacco would also work…..
Hi Karen,
The above is one of the best and most helpful descriptions of what to take for bites and stings.
I have been bitten in the night. My husband is away so I know it wasn’t him.
I took Apis 30c as it seemed the best fit. Worked almost instantly.
Thank you so much.
Also interested in buying the Cal-C for making up part of a first aid kit.
Bless you,
Diana
Hi Diana, great to hear that Apis helped you, and I am pleased you found the information in my post useful! You can obtain remedies and remedy kits from a homeopathic pharmacy. I use Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy in the UK. Best wishes, Karen
Your information is very useful.
Can you please suggest medicines for tongue note while going to sleep
I had insect bite 5 days back. Itching and burning with red haemorrhage area all over body.
I have taken single dose of Leading 200 but no relief. Please do suggest some homeopathic remedies.
Regards
Hi, thanks for your question. This type of serious systemic reaction needs professional care. I recommend you seek medical help if you have not already done so. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen,
Allergic reaction to insect bites:
For the second time this summer I have been bitten on my ankle – 2 tiny little bites from an unknown insect whilst walking in UK countryside.
My ankle swelled a few hours later and then my whole foot and calf. The skin became hot sore and very itchy. The Dr prescribed strong antihistamines and antibiotics to prevent cellulitis. 5 days later things are improving but I still have swelling, heat, itching and blisters on the skin from fluid etc.
It has been awful and I would love some advice on a remedy to take now and maybe in the future.
My immune system is obviously compromised in some way for this severe allergy to have happened. It is definitely getting worse over time which is very concerning.
For information, I have many other allergies including pollen, cats, dust mite, chemical preservatives such as formaldehyde.
Thanks in advance,
Sarah
Hi Sarah, thanks for your question. For the immediate reaction you describe, I suggest you read up on Apis as a first thought. Professional homeopathic support is also definitely worth considering with such a severe reaction, and your history of allergies. Best wishes, Karen
Is it safe or recommended to combine different homeopathics at the same time? My 6 year old got some flea bites on ankles that are itching very intensely.
It is safe enough to combine remedies, but you will get a clearer result in treating flea bites by using one remedy at a time – which remedies have you tried so far? Best wishes, Karen
I am presently dealing with a Urticaria rash on my left side of stomach and back. Extremely itchy. I get relief after scratching but then I am in pain even to the touch. It started right after three ant bites and a shingles outbreak on right side of my chest. Been on Acyclovir but got on it into three weeks of Shingle attack. I have worked with a homeopathic practitioner for several yrs. but with the increase of cost and the economy I am unable to afford her. Thus, I am attempting to find a remedy on my own. My Urticaria has always stemmed from red ant bites. I have read on remedy Apis. Seems to apply for the ant bites. Thank you for your time and caring.
Hi Margarita, for itchy ant bites – depending on how you experience the bites – you might also look at Caladium. Best wishes, Karen
Hi…..there is nothing about a spider bite…and actually very few of the articles I have come across from homeopathic doctors especially mention a spider bite which is what I have. Oh well…..thank you
Hi Prema, thanks for your comment. The remedies listed are appropriate for all kinds of bites and stings. Often we don’t know exactly what stung us, but the way the body responds to the bite or sting will guide remedy choice. Best wishes, Karen
hello doc,
i am a natural med doctor in Guyana. i am a Canadian citizen and came back to help people here. after six years i am the Dr. Phil in guyana with two weekly TV shows and four clinics all over the country. i learnt a lot from you and Dr.Sharma and without your posts i might be clueless in many areas. my great success is because i learnt from people like you. i get my supplies from Canada and Germany and India. i have most of the treatment available from Boyrion and Heel. eg all the names you mentioned for snake bite, i have them all. so you will never imagine how much guys like you have helped me to be the most feared doctor in Guyana. i helped save people from surgery to the tune of 20 billion Guy dollars {100 million US}
Thank you for sharing this – how wonderful!
I get attacked by chiggers every time I go in my garden. Staphysagria sounds like the closest description. I’ve never tried homeopathic medicine before but I’m getting desperate. How do you know what to buy and what dilution?
Hi Lauren, thanks for your question. Homeopathy is usually effective for insect bites and stings of all kinds – the choice of medicine depends on the way you respond to the bite. If you feel Staphysagria matches well as a first try, the best potency for general home use is 30c (sometimes referred to as ’30ch’). It is always best to purchase from a reputable homeopathic pharmacy (or local pharmacy which stocks medicines produced by a reputable pharmacy). If you are in the US, Boiron is a well known brand, and you can also buy mail order from Hahnemann Labs or Washington Homeopathic Products online. If you have active bites, put a single pellet in a glass of plain water, and sip regularly form 2-3 hours max. Each sip is equivalent to one dose. If no change after a few hours, reconsider remedy choice. Good luck and best wishes, Karen
Hi K led beater,
Am 69 yo male and had a red ant sting( presumably) to my left foot yesterday while driving car. Experienced a lot of itching coupled with burning sensation continuously till late night causing Edema. Had Apis M 30 one dose an hour ago and watch for the result. Want to repeat 2 or 3 doses today and kept Ledum p.30 as a stand by. Any valuable suggestion for quick relief ? Thank you n regards.
Lalitheswara
India
Hi, thanks for your question. The ten remedy options listed in this blog post are among those most often used in homeopathy, and you can use the brief remedy profiles to self select, according to your symptoms. To provide more specific professional advice would need a more detailed assessment of your symptoms. Itching, burning and oedema are fairly common to bites and stings, and the choice of an individual remedy would include the appearance of the affected area, and the intensity of the itching and burning. That said, if the itching and burning is pretty intense, look up and read Caladium (listed in the post) and see if this fits, or read Formica rufa or Urtica urens, which can both be helpful for ant bites. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen I am a longterm homeopathic remedy user and have used Ledum and Pyrethroid (now Feverfew) tinctures. Have you become aware of BLANDFORD FLY bites ? Nasty but sort of goes after a week or so – but a faint and darker red mark still with an occasional slight itch has remained with me for 4 months. I have tried Feverfew tincture (Ainsworth) but the red mark remains – should I try ledum tincture ?. I hesitate to take an oral remedy ? Very grateful for your expertise. many thanks Anton
Hi Anton, thanks for your question. Homeopathically, the appearance, pain sensation and modalities of the wound are usually more indicative of a suitable remedy than the type of insect that caused it. I always recommend taking a remedy orally in potency rather than a topical tincture – in my experience this works more quickly and effectively in almost every case. What is your reluctance with taking homeopathic remedies as opposed to herbal tinctures? If you are left with an occasional slight itch, and a red mark, it is difficult to suggest a remedy because there are few pattern indications here which would lead to a remedy. Ledum in potency (6c, 12c or 30c would be appropriate) may be worth trying. Best wishes, Karen
Here is a page with the picture of what a Blandford fly bite looks like
https://www.facebook.com/groups/568694567009712/posts/1874267949785694/
Hi Karen
I am not familiar with how these comments work. It is good of you anyhow to agree to respond to questions but do you always respond and how long should one wait to get a response. And do you need to keep going back to this page or do you get an email indicating you have re reply.
I sent you an enquiry about a recent until now unknown ‘ bite’ development from the Blandford fly’ the NHS is taking seriously. I sent you some pictures. Perhaps I am being impatient but so far no reply
Hi Anton, I endeavour to respond to all comments and suggest remedies to read up on where appropriate. All comments are on post moderation (this means I check them before approving to avoid my blog being swamped with spam), and this means if I am away it can take a little time – I am currently on vacation until August 26th. Hope this helps 🙂
Hello
I had a bite I didnt feel at the time on my allotment .. it has become extremely itching and burning … I took apis and then ledum .. although ledum didnt feel right as it is very red and swollen my lower leg ankle and swollen , teh skin is very tight and it itches like crazy if I walk … if I sit with my leg up its a bit better .. but its very painful and I Wondered about urtica .. or the other one you mentioned when it is really burning and painful and itching to drive me round the bend .. and skin is so tight it is shiny … also there is a small cluster of tiny blisteres appearing .. one of them has some clear fluid coming from it .. I think it is wher i scratched it badly in teh night when i was asleep .. which has obvioulsy nakde things worse ..
I dont know about cantharis because of the burning feeling .. I dont know if it was a spider (im in uk so not many poisenous ones!) or a what … (WHen I had a spider bite from false widow a few years ago, I drank lots of water to lower histamine reaction and and took Apis 200 … symptoms immediatlely were relieved .. including a red streak starting to go up my leg and my having high temperature!)
This time nothing seems to work for long .. although maybe taking ledum after apis wasnt a good plan .. ?
II just cant decide which is best .. urtica / caladium ????
Hi Caroline, thanks for your question. It is hard to provide professional advice accurately without further information. My best suggestion here is to match the remedy that seems to fit your symptoms best, and try it. If the match is not quite right, nothing will happen (if you stick to minimum dose principles – try no more than 3-4 doses over a few hours), and you can reconsider and try something else. The way you describe your symptoms does sound as though Apis was a good possibility – how many doses did you take over what time period? Also if the itching is very intense and there is blistering, read up Rhus tox. Best wishes, Karen
heloo Karen I appreciate your reply
I tried Apis then Urtica Ures and then Cantharis !
then I took Staphysagria becasue i was feeling so angry with it all and kind of indignant !!!
For a while it all felt better . cooler and m y skin wasnt so red so i felt really hopeful
then I just seemed to go backwards and the heat returned on my skin .. and the itching got much worse again … like pin pricks everywhere .. The blisters did reduce a bit .. but I still have a small cluster that are rather stubborn and wont go away … I try not to scratch but I do at night without realising .. then my skin gets sensitive all over again .. ! I am using cool water, aloe vera and calendula cream to soothe it now … but Im getting a bit fed up now .. wondering if I should take anti histamine tablets which Im trying not to do .. and just drinking a lot of water .. ??? I dont know how long it shouls take to recover but it seems very slow .. I havent tried rhus tox !! Emotionally Im feeling really annoyed and fed up and really irritated by the itching !
Hi Caroline, it can take some time to heal properly in this situation – I hear your frustration! A few thoughts – it can be tempting to switch remedies too quickly, and then not repeat. I suggest staying with one remedy for around 24 hours, repeating regularly throughout. If no change, then switch. If there is improvement – stop the dose. Repeat the same remedy that helped if symptoms start to return. It may be worth trying histamine in potency (not homeopathic exactly, but can calm the histamine reaction if other measures not helping) – Histaminum in 6c, 12c or 30c if you can get it. Also bear in mind that if there is a strong and long lasting reaction to insect stings, this can sometimes be linked to histamine intolerance or mast cell sensitivity (ie if your body struggles to break down histamine, insect stings will add to the existing levels, and potentially produce longer lasting symptoms). So while this tendency is worth considering having chronic homeopathic treatment for, homeopathically and nutritionally there are things you can do yourself – I would say number 1 is support your liver. When liver health is optimal, this aids histamine clearance. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Karen
however .. the good thing is i can walk on that leg now where before it was SO red and swollen and painful tp walk and the blisteres arent so painful .. also good
I was bit a few days ago on the ankle. Never hurt just intense itching. It was small It developed a small white head and still itched so I put some wichhazel on it and it helped the itching. Now I have a fluid sack the size of a nickel that does not hurt just small itching some. Could you suggest a remedy that fits a bite with
a fluid sack.?
Hi Terrie, if the itching is intense, and the affected area looks blister-like, I suggest you read up on the remedy Rhus tox and see if it fits your symptoms. Best wishes, Karen