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Health Tip of the Day
Lemon juice is one of the best home remedies for quick relief from insect bites and stings.
According to a doctor at the Cosmetic and Clinical Research Dermatology Department at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, lemon juice has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, and pain relieving properties to ease swelling, pain, and itching from nasty insect stings and bites.
Apply any of the remedies below before scratching. Scratching the area will create skin tears that will result in a smarting sensation from the acidic lemon juice.
The easiest way to use lemon juice on bites and stings is to simply cut open a lemon and apply the cut side on the wounded area. Dipping a cotton ball or swab is another easy way to apply the juice. The citric acid in the lemon juice also slightly numbs the sore area.
Mixing lemon juice and cornstarch into a paste and placing on the itchy bite or sting also works well.
Leave the lemon juice on the painful area and reapply as needed for about 20 minutes for full relief.
If outdoors, lightly shade the skin where the lemon juice is applied. Lemon juice can cause the skin to sunburn quickly.
Author Marilyn Pokorney
Copyright Marilyn Pokorney 2022
