Water

• Wash all insect stings, including minor stings, with soap and water to remove germs and allergy-provoking substances. Washing the sight of the sting will prevent the sting from getting worse and promote healing. Soothe itching and swelling from an insect sting by rinsing the sight of the sting in cool water. Dr. Constance Nichols suggests applying cool ice to insect stings, decreasing itching and swelling. Ice will decrease inflammation as well as reduce the urge to itch the bite. Consider wrapping ice in a towel to create an ice compress to use on-and-off throughout the day as a remedy for the insect sting.
  
  

Oatmeal and Cream Solutions

• Nichols suggests taking an oatmeal bath to soothe and heal insect stings, especially if you are suffering from multiple bites. Pour a powdered oatmeal preparation in a lukewarm bath and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Oatmeal baths can soothe skin irritation due to insect stings and reduce the urge to scratch bites. Dr. Saralyn R. Williams recommends dabbing insect stings with calamine lotions to calm itching sensations. Hydrocortisone cream can be rubbed on insect stings to reduce redness and swelling associated with insect stings. Boyer suggests rubbing hydrocortisone cream on bites.
  
  

Kitchen Spices

• Dr. Arthur Jacknowitz advises using meat tenderizer containing papain to relieve pain from insect bites. Make a paste by combining meat tenderizer and water and apply to bite as soon as possible. Dr. Claude Frazier suggests making a paste with salt and water to treat insect bites. Insect bites may also be soothed by dissolving baking soda in a warm glass of water, dipping a wash cloth in the solution and placing on bite for at least 20 minutes.
  
  

Prevent Infection

• Boyer warns against scratching the bite. Scratching the bite can cause secondary infections as a result of bacteria located under fingernails. Trim your finger nails to make sure you can't scratch and stay busy to keep your mind distracted from scratching.