Summer First Aid: Bites, Stings, Sun and Scrapes

Summer brings sunshine, picnics and long evenings outdoors, along with the little mishaps that go with them. Here are gentle, traditional ways to support your skin after a day outside, along with clear signs that you should stop and seek proper care.

Bug bites and stings

First, move away from the insect or area, wash the spot with soap and cool water, and remove a visible stinger by scraping it sideways with a card or fingernail rather than squeezing it. A cold pack for ten minutes eases swelling and itch.

Once the skin is unbroken and clean, many people dab a well-diluted blend (about 1 percent) of lavender or tea tree on the bite, or dab on cooling aloe vera gel. A cool chamomile tea bag also makes a soothing compress.

Get urgent help if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness, widespread hives or a history of severe allergy, and for any sting in the mouth or throat. Seek medical advice for bites with spreading redness, fever or a bullseye rash, and for tick bites.

Sun-warmed skin

Prevention matters most: use sunscreen, wear a hat and seek shade at midday. For mild redness after too much sun, cool the skin with a cool (not icy) shower or damp cloth, drink plenty of water and apply pure aloe vera gel. Some people add a few drops of lavender to a cool compress.

Remember that citrus oils such as bergamot, lemon and lime are phototoxic and should not be applied to skin that will see the sun. See a health professional for blistering, extensive burns, severe pain, fever or chills, confusion, or any sunburn on a baby.

Scrapes and minor scratches

Wash your hands, rinse the wound with clean running water, gently remove dirt, press with clean gauze if it bleeds and cover with a sterile dressing. A little diluted tea tree or lavender around (not inside) a clean, minor scrape is a traditional choice for cleansing. Do not put essential oils into deep, bleeding or dirty wounds. Seek care for wounds that are deep, gape open, will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, were caused by an animal bite or a rusty object, or show signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth, swelling or pus. Check that your tetanus shot is up to date.

Tired, achy muscles

After a long hike or day in the garden, a warm bath with a few drops of lavender or Roman chamomile (mixed first into a spoonful of carrier oil or milk so they disperse) can be relaxing, and a diluted massage blend can feel comforting on tired muscles. Persistent or severe pain, swelling, numbness or an injury to a joint needs a professional assessment.

Outdoor safety with oils

• Patch test every blend before use, especially on children’s skin.
• Keep oils out of the heat. A hot car can ruin oils and make bottles leak.
• Never rely on essential oils as your only insect protection in areas with ticks, mosquitoes that carry illness or other health risks. Follow local public-health advice.
• Keep oils away from pets, especially cats, and from campfires and stoves because they are flammable.

See our full list of traditional suggestions in First Aid With Essential Oils, and remember that this article is general information only. Please read our Health Disclaimer.