No matter how hard we try to weather the summer months with style, those unsightly and itchy red bumps from insect bites can leave your legs, arms and face looking less than their best. And your appearance is only a small part of the problem, when you consider that some of those pesky critters can carry potentially serious diseases with them as well. It is important to arm yourself with a few basics of insect bite prevention if you are going to survive the summer months with nary a sting.

What Not to Wear

When it comes to keeping those bugs at bay, what you wear will be your first line of protection. Many biting and stinging insects are drawn to bright, floral patterns and darker colors, so avoid these as much as possible when you are going to be spending time outside. Do not wear any type of fragrance, since this will attract the crawly critters as well. It is also a good idea to wear a hat to limit the amount of skin that is exposed. If you can, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially at night when mosquitoes tend to come out in force. If you will be hiking or participating in other outdoor activities, wearing boots and tucking your shirts into pants, and pants into socks will help keep the bugs out as well. There are also clothing items that are treated with an insect repellant, called permethrin. This substance can effectively treat outdoor clothing and gear, and will remain effective through numerous washings.

Use a Repellant

For added protection against insect bites, you can apply a repellant directly to your exposed skin. DEET is the best ingredient for keeping bugs away, and a concentration of 30% will keep you protected for up to four hours. However, you must use caution when applying any product with DEET in it, so that you do not inhale any of the substance or get it in your eyes. It is also important to wash skin that has been treated with DEET as soon as you go indoors. Do not apply to children’s hands if they may put them in their mouths, and always use the lowest concentration on kids and if you are pregnant. Another effective insect repellant is oil of lemon eucalyptus, which will continue its effectiveness for one to hours before needing reapplication.

Treatment

Even with the best of efforts and intentions, you may end up with the occasional insect bite. You can apply a hydrocortisone cream to the area to keep itching down, which will increase your comfort level and keep the bite as small as possible. Take heart in knowing that most insect bites will heal up within a matter of a few days, so that uncomfortable and unsightly mark will not last for long.

Summer means warm weather and sunshine, but it also means sharing your space with plenty of six-legged critters. The good news is that with some preventative measures, you will be able to keep bites and stings to a bare minimum. Goodbye, bug bites!

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