For much of the country, the warmer temps are a welcome relief after a long, hard winter. It’s the time of year everyone waits for—backyard barbecues, games, hiking, biking, and roasting marshmallows are all on the agenda. But with these seasonal pleasures come the bugs—the biting kind.
If you are one of the unlucky ones on the menu for blood-thirsty pests like mosquitoes and black flies, you may avoid these fun outdoor activities to keep from itching all summer. However, relief may be in sight in the form of CBD.
What Happens to Our Skin After an Insect Bite?
As gross as this sounds, when we are bitten by a mosquito or other insect, a small bit of saliva or venom is left behind. This unwanted compound is detected by our amazing immune systems, which go to work right away to fight it. The itching, swelling, and redness that occurs is the normal result of the body just doing its job.
For some, this immune response is pronounced, leaving them with large, itchy welts that may even be painful. Could CBD help? While there have not been any formal studies on the effectiveness of cannabidiol in treating insect bites, anecdotal evidence points to the idea that it may be helpful. If the discomfort of an insect bite has left you with the insatiable urge to scratch, CBD may be worth a try.
How to Use CBD for an Insect Bite
Ideally, a topical such as lotion, salve, gel, or cream is the most convenient way to apply CBD to a bug bite, but if you only have a tincture on hand, you can apply that directly to the affected area as well. Just be aware that the oil can cause your clothes to stain, so keep it away from your favorite shirt!
If you want to try your hand at making your own CBD anti-itching cream, you can check out this recipe at Project CBD.
While CBD is unlikely to cause a bad reaction, everyone’s skin is different, so you should stop using it immediately if your skin worsens. Also, if you have a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite, such as swelling of the face or neck, wheezing, or faintness, forego the CBD and seek emergency assistance right away.
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Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs
