Gnat Bites Home Remedies And Treatment

If a gnat has bitten you and you are suffering from a minor reaction, you can easily treat them at home instead of needing to go to a medical practitioner. Here are some treatments that you can do to ease your itching, swelling, or any other symptoms related to unfortunate circumstantial encounters with the gnats:

A gnat has four razor-sharp blades in its mouth which tear through your skin and leave a small open wound, make sure to clean on and around the affected area thoroughly with mild soap and water to soothe irritation by removing any remaining coagulants.  

Allow the wound to dry gently or otherwise dab gently with a washcloth or paper towel to remove any access water carefully. Make sure you avoid scratching the bite which can increase the risk of opening the wound and cause an infection.

Since some gnats also like to hang around places like rotten food, gnats that bite humans might act as a vector to carry bacteria from one place to another including on you. Hence, if you have an antiseptic ointment available, you should swab the area thoroughly with a cotton ball. 

Or tape the cotton ball to the wound to allow the antiseptic to soak into the bite thoroughly. Make sure to avoid using homemade DIY antiseptics by using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as it can scar the tissue and delay healing.

The main symptoms of the bites are caused by the presence of coagulants in the bitten area so it can help to reduce the blood flow into the area by raising your limbs above the heart level until you can get it treated or the treatment has been finished being prepared. 

This can help reduce the severity of the symptoms as it is not the bite itself but rather the proteins contained in gnat saliva which force an allergic reaction from the body as it gets circulated in the blood stream. 

Scratching gnat bites can not only open your blisters and wounds, but they can also spread the gnat saliva protein throughout your skin and cause more severe localized pain and itching.

That's not even the worst of it as the symptom that would normally a day or two can get extended by several days while also causing swollen treatment-resistant scabs that discharge fluid and are hot to the touch. So avoid any scratches period!

Gnat bites are remarked to be incredibly itchy, even more so than ant and mosquito bites thus if the itch becomes unbearable you can make use of topical over-the-counter treatment creams containing aloe or calamine. 

Apply to the bite site three times a day consistently to ensure the reduction of itchiness and swelling in the shortest amount of time possible. If the itchiness persists, consider attempting additional treatments included in the list. 

As one of the primary methods for the spread of gnat saliva is through blood circulation, you can attempt to reduce it by taking a cold shower as it has been proven to help reduce the itching and swelling of bug bites by constricting the blood vessels.

This is especially helpful if you have multiple bites in different locations which are hard to press with just one cold compress. Make sure you stay in the shower for ten minutes or longer but not unbearably so. 

If you don't have access to any lotion or anti-itch creams, you don't have to go out of your way to buy them in a drugstore as what's in your pantry can also be used to create a DIY treatment solution with a bit of a can-do and make-do American spirit. 

If you find vinegar in your pantry, it is especially a popular home remedy that can be used to relieve swelling, redness, and pain caused by gnat bites. Unfortunately, it won't be effective at eliminating the itch completely as it is a result of a protein-containing saliva rather than an acidic venom that can be neutralized. 

Onions have an inherent anti-inflammatory property that can be levied and made use of in the treatment of gnat bites. Everyone is bound to have onions in their homes so simply grab an onion slice and press it firmly for about five minutes on the affected area. 

The fluids from the onion are capable of soaking through the skin and possess an antibacterial effect atop of their anti-inflammatory property which helps to reduce inflammation, pain, and any risks of infection. Make sure to wash the area with cool water after removing the onion.

Unlike the mosquitoes, some gnats can even stay active later than expected especially during the onset of winter, being bitten in such a circumstance might prevent you from taking a cold shower due to risks of developing hypothermia. If this is the case then you can simply apply ice or a cold compress instead.

Put a few ice cubes in a clean towel or use a cold pack and hold it in place to the bitten area gently for a few seconds repeatedly for about 10-15 minutes. This method helps avoid much of the itchiness that may be observed before they can occur.

You can use baking soda to DIY another solution for gnat bites by mixing a small amount of it with water to create a thick paste. Then apply this paste directly to the affected area and let it sit still for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

Baking soda acts as a mild alkaline substance with a gentle abrasive nature which can help reduce swelling and irritation from the bites and provide the long-sought soothing relief from the itchy discomfort of the bites.

Honey is antibacterial with some anti-inflammatory properties and hence can be used to eliminate any bacteria that could cause an infection inside gnat bite wounds while reducing the swelling and thereby helping to ease pain from its inflammation.

Besides, honey is considered a humectant, meaning it retains moisture therefore it helps to soothe and hydrate the affected skin by boosting the healing rate of the bite wounds and alleviating discomfort. Not just any honey will do as many store-bought honey can have sugar, instead use manuka or medical grade honey.

Another natural astringent that can be useful in alleviating gnat bite symptoms is by putting on some witch hazel. Dabbing witch hazel tightens the skin through its astringent properties and reduces the adverse sensations of itching by lowering inflammation. 

Witch hazel is also slightly antibacterial and thus you can use it in place of other disinfectants to clean the wounds and bitten area from the get-go instead of having to rely on things proven to be detrimental such as rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting.

This is because tea tree oil possesses extremely powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can make it perfect for gnat bites. However, it's just so overwhelmingly strong that it can cause adverse reactions of its own. In order for one to be able to use it, a few drops should first be diluted in a carrier oil such as coconut, almond, or olive oil.

Apply a few drops of dilution, that is 1-2 drops of tea tree oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil on the affected area, with the help of a cotton ball. This shall reduce itching and swelling to a large extent, which will also protect against infection.

Capsaicin present in peppers has been clinically proven to be useful for relieving itch and pain by desensitizing the responsible nerve endings associated with itch and pain. Although the capsaicin itself may cause a different kind of pain and burning, it's better to put up with short-term pain and cure the gnat bites quicker.

To use this remedy, mix a small amount of chili pepper powder with water to create a paste and apply the paste to the affected area. Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off with cool water, apply it four times a day to see reduced burning from both capsaicin and gnat saliva. 

If you don't want to continue using capsaicin to desensitize your nerves as an attempt to deal with the gnat bites then you can apply steeped chamomile tea bags to reduce inflammation and irritation. While not quite as effective as capsaicin, chamomile is a natural antipruritic with anti-bacterial properties.

Once the bag is stepped and cooled, let it sit on the affected area for 15 minutes to allow it to produce a soothing effect on the skin to reduce the itch and swelling. Furthermore, you can also use the cooled tea itself to wash the bite area if you aren't interested in drinking it.

Cucumbers are famous for having a cooling and soothing effect on the skin and they're no less helpless against treating gnat bites. The fruit's cooling effect aids against inflammation and itching while also containing antioxidants to soothe the skin.

Simply take a fresh cucumber, cut it into thin round pieces, and put the raw pieces on the affected area. This is helpful especially considering cold compress can't be put in more than one area at a time so cucumber can help you cover multiple bite wounds across various parts of your body.

Oatmeal is well-known as an agent that would help reduce inflammation and irritation due to containing 24 phenolic compounds, which act as antioxidants. For the paste, take the oatmeal into powder and mix with water until a paste of thick consistency can be formed and applied on the skin.

Make sure to let the paste dry for about twenty minutes before washing it off with cold water. This should result in a notable decrease in the burning sensation, rash, itching and provide comfort.

Unlike tree tea oil or jojoba oil which can be extremely harsh on the skin, an alternative oil that you can use is lavender which has a calming effect and anti-inflammatory properties. While it may not be necessary to dilute it, essential oils can be expensive so we still recommend diluting it with almond or coconut oil beforehand.

Once applied, the natural antiseptic and analgesic effects of lavender oil should get to work immediately resulting in soothed skin, diminished irritation, and inflammation providing you relief until the bites have been completely healed.

Turmeric powder is a common spice in the kitchen, which is prepared after grinding the roots of a plant belonging to the ginger family; it contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that may help pacify the symptoms. Mix thick paste by adding little water or oil to turmeric.

Apply this paste to the bite and maintain it for at least 30 minutes. Then wash it with warm water. Turmeric should reduce swelling, pain, and itchiness significantly, which will help hasten up the healing process.

Last but not least, another effective home remedy treatment for the bites is to apply a damp cloth with Epsom salt to the affected area. It contains magnesium sulfate that can help reduce swelling and draw out irritants from the skin which should reduce the allergens inside the wound.

To make use of Epsom salt, dissolve a few tablespoons of it in a bowl of warm water and press a damp Epsom water cloth to the wound for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to rinse and pat dry the area afterwards.

Gnats are tiny bloodsuckers that may be similar to mosquitoes but make no mistakes, they belong to the family of flies and are usually about 1/4 of an inch in size with some types of gnats being even smaller. Aside from their size, they have six legs and two prominent wings and can bite individually or in swarms.

Gnats come in various shapes and sizes so don't be surprised if you get bitten by what you thought wasn't a gnat and end up bitten. Instead learn the types of gnats to stay vigilant and on your guard whenever you're outside.

1. Biting Midges 

Biting midges are probably the ones that you are most likely to encounter, they are also known as punkies, no-see-ums, and flying teeth. They are easily distinguished due to their grayish color which turns into red after having a blood meal. 

They are also vicious biters which makes them more likely to be encountered, furthermore, they always fly in swarms so it's possible to be bitten multiple times by these midges if you don't take any necessary precautions. 

2. Sand Flies 

Sand flies are another species of gnats that can be encountered, aptly named as the adult sand flies are golden or brownish with a slightly humped appearance and long slender legs. They are not nimble fliers so bites from them are rare.

But, if you wanted to wonder "Can gnats make you sick?" then look no further than the sand fly as their bites can also cause sand fly fever on top of skin-related symptoms. Fortunately, sandfly bites are very rare and rarely reported in the United States.

3. Black Flies

Black flies more commonly known as black gnats, buffalo gnats, or turkey flies have a shiny black color which makes them easily difficult to see in low-light conditions. They are also highly likely to be lying in swarms like the biting midges and have symptoms persist for several days.

Although we did answer "Can gnats carry diseases?", American black flies rarely cause any diseases in America while the African version of the black fly can cause river blindness.

Although both the male and female gnats can feed and persist solely on plant nectar, some female gnat species require blood to make eggs which results in gnats attacking mammals such as livestock, poultry, pets, and humans en-masse to reproduce. The blood helps the gnats produce eggs that will properly develop and hatch gnat larvae.

Stay safe from gnat bites in your home by learning where gnats come from as well as setting homemade gnat traps to stay safe during summer since its easier to prevent them than to have to deal with their bite effects.

Now that you know why gnats bite, what do gnats do to humans exactly that it makes the wounds itch? Simply put, its not due to the gnats themselves but due to the reaction of the host's body to anti-coagulant proteins from gnat saliva circulating inside your system. 

The anticoagulants are only meant to allow the gnats to suck blood easily without coagulating but the compounds can lead to painfully reddened and itchy swollen areas around the bites after about 30 minutes because of the saliva.