Bite Me (or maybe don't), Booboos, take two

Well now, since it's way too freaking hot today to take Feisty Pants outside without having clothes actually made out of ice, we'll sit in the not quite cool enough a/c and wait for twilight. The time of day, I mean, not that pathetic excuse for a monster movie. (Don't even get me started on weak female role models and wussy excuses for monsters.) But since twilight is when you will get bit, which bites -pun entirely intended, I thought I would list some quick tips on what do with the booboos left behind by those little blood suckers. Hippie Pants is allergic to stings so she usually settles for the freak out and run screaming method of avoiding bug bites. Her sister however thinks bugs are AWESOME with a capital awe and lets them wander all over her. Only to complain bitterly later on how rude they were to make her itchy. So, when the bugs are rude to you, try these tips.

1)Aloe vera gel- a FAB all purpose healer and anti-inflammatory too boot. Try keeping aloe gel in the fridge to take the sting and itch out of any bug bit, sunburn, scrape, etc etc etc.

2)Preparation H- stop smirking will ya? It has hydrocortisone and reduces swelling. A dab on a bite should help.

3)Tea tree oil- a dab will keep it from getting infected

4)Rubbing alcohol/hand sanitizer- a disinfectant and it may sting/tingle a bit which can actually relieve the itchy.

5) Basil- try rubbing a fresh basil leaf on the bite. It has anti-inflamatory properties which help and, bonus, it will repel other bugs.

6)aspirin- crush the pill and make into a paste with water. Said to really help with bee stings.

7)Peppermint oil- the menthol should reduce the stinging.

8)Vinegar- either white or cider - I didn't think this worked well on me personally, but my kids swore by it. So I used it. Cheap available and has some anitibacterial properties (Medical supply companies even recommend cleaning medical equipment with whit vinegar.)

9)Ice- really the best all around booboo butt kicker. Lessens pain and swelling, relieves itching, and if you're a kid, or kid at heart, ice is fun to play with on a hot day.

So, there you go. Hope you don't need them. Or if you do, I hope you get a fabulous, funny story of how you came to need them. Happy bug hunting.