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It’s almost summertime! It seems like the second I put on a pair of shorts, or venture out with bare ankles, they find me… Bugs! No matter what I do, a few itchy bug bites are impossible to avoid. And with two little boys who lie in the dirt and poke at ants? Forget it! But this year, I’m prepared with a fresh batch of DIY bug bite balm. These easy itchy sticks are safe for kids and provide quick relief for minor bug bites, stings, skin irritations, and even little boo-boos!

What's In DIY Bug Bite Balm

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own itchy balm sticks.

Ingredients:

18 g (about 1 T) Chamomile infused coconut oil (If you don’t have this, just use regular coconut oil. You could also add in a few drops of chamomile essential oil.)
8g (about 2 tsp) Beeswax
3g (about 1 tsp) Jojoba oil (or other carrier oil of your choice)
6 drops Lavender essential oil
6 drops Tea tree essential oil
a few drops Vitamin E oil (optional)

Equipment:

4-5 Lip balm tubes (or small containers/pots)
A double boiler OR a small heat proof bowl and saucepan
spatula or spoon
A kitchen scale (optional, but useful)

Why Does This Anti-Itch Balm Work?

A small disclaimer- this balm is intended for relief from minor bug bites or skin irritation. If you are having a serious allergic reaction to a bite or sting, please seek medical attention!

Ok now that we have established that, let’s talk about why this bug bite stick works! All of these oils are skin-loving and moisturizing, but the active ingredients are the chamomile infused oil and the lavender and tea tree essential oils.

My current obsession is herb infused oil, especially chamomile in coconut oil. I’ve been mixing up all kinds of balms and lotion bars with this amazing smelling oil. Chamomile oil, just like the familiar tea, is calming and soothing for skin. It helps promote healing, relieves skin irritation, and even provides some pain relief! (Source)

It’s simple to infuse oil with dried herbs like chamomile. I like to use my crockpot on the warm setting to get it done overnight. You can check out the complete tutorial and video about it here.

Lavender essential oil is also well known for its calming effects. It, too, is useful for reducing pain and itchiness. It is anti-inflammatory and is especially effective for spider bites, fire ants bites, and bee stings. (Source)

Tea tree essential oil (melaleuca) reduces irritation and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. It also helps with swelling, pain, and itchiness. And according to this article from Healthline.com, it is useful for all sorts of bug attacks including “mosquitoes, ticks, fire ants, spiders, bees, and even bed bugs or fleas…”

Plants! Amiright!?

Is Bug Bite Balm Safe for Kids?

Yes! All of these ingredients are considered safe for children and babies over 3 months old. In general, when using essential oils, a 2% dilution is considered safe when used for acute situations. As in, not an all over body butter or balm but a spot treatment like this itch relieving stick. (Source)

Of course you know I have to say that while this information is accurate to the best of my knowledge and based on best practices, I am not a doctor. Please check with your health care provider if you have concerns about whether using lavender, tea tree, or any essential oils, is appropriate for you or your children.

Ready? Let’s DIY Some Itchy Balm!

Place beeswax, coconut oil, and jojoba oil (or other carrier oil such as sweet almond, grapeseed, etc.) in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl on top of a saucepan of simmering water. Stir gently until all are completely melted.

Remove from heat and stir in vitamin E oil (if using) and essential oils. Be sure to wipe any water from the bottom of the bowl to prevent drips into your balm.

Carefully (but quickly) pour the liquid oil mixture into chapstick tubes and allow to sit until the product has completely cooled. (For faster results, move the bug bite balm to the fridge after it’s begun to solidify.)

When the balm is completely set, cap it and apply as needed to bites, stings, and minor skin irritations! Your itchy balm should be good for about 6 months to a year (depending on the freshness of your ingredients.)

A Few Tips for Making Bug Bite Balm Sticks

If your mixture begins to harden in the bowl before you have managed to fill all the dainty little tubes, simply set it back on the heat to gently remelt. It’s very forgiving.

There are several ways to fill chapstick tubes. Some people like to use a pipette or dropper (and sometimes the tubes will come with one.) This works ok, but I find that it causes my mixture to cool too fast and the droppers get all clogged up. Instead, I like to secure my tubes together with a rubber band so that they can stand upright. Then I carefully and quickly pour the melted balm. Sometimes there are a few drips, so I just make sure to place the tubes on an easy to clean surface when filling.

Do I Have to Use Chapstick Tubes?

No! Of course not. A little container or lip balm pot would be fine, too. I just like the convenience of a stick! (Plus then I don’t have to worry about dirty fingers in the balm if we are outside.)

And on that same note, if you don’t have beeswax, you can still make a great, effective balm! It will just be much softer so it will need to go in a little container and not in a tube!

I am loving these bug bite balm sticks. I hope they save you some itchies! Please let me know if you have questions! I’d love to know if they’re working for you.

Yield: 4-5 tubes

DIY Bug Bite Balm – Kid Safe Itchy Stick!

These easy DIY bug bite balm sticks are safe for kids and provide quick relief for minor bug bites, stings, skin irritations, and even little boo-boos!

Active Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

18g (about 1 T) chamomile infused coconut oil* (or regular coconut oil)
8g (about 2 tsp) beeswax
3g (about 1 tsp) jojoba oil (or other carrier oil)
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops tea tree essential oil
a few drops of vitamin E oil (optional)

Tools

4-5 chapstick tubes or lip balm type containers
a saucepan and a small heat proof bowl OR a double boiler
spatula
a kitchen scale (optional, but useful)

Instructions

Place beeswax, chamomile coconut oil, and jojoba oil (or other carrier oil such as sweet almond, grapeseed, etc.) in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl on top of a saucepan of simmering water. Stir gently until all are completely melted.
Remove from heat and stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils.
Carefully (but quickly) pour the liquid oil mixture into chapstick tubes and allow to sit until the product has completely cooled. (For faster results move the tubes to the fridge after it’s begun to solidify.)
When the balm is completely cool, cap it and apply as needed to bites, stings, and minor itchy skin irritations! Your itchy balm should be good for about 6 months to a year (depending on the freshness of your ingredients.)

Notes

*Making chamomile infused coconut oil is simple! Here’s my tutorial for how to make it overnight in a crockpot. BUT if you don’t have this, just use regular coconut oil. Or you could add a few drops of chamomile essential oil at the end!

Pro Tip: For easier filling, I like to secure my tubes together with a rubber band!

DISCLAIMER: This balm is intended for relief from minor bug bites or skin irritation. If you are having a serious allergic reaction to a bite or sting, please seek medical attention! While this information is accurate to the best of my knowledge and based on best practices, I am not a doctor. Please check with your health care provider if you have concerns about whether using lavender, tea tree, or any essential oils, is appropriate for you or your children.