There are a lot of fun things about summertime, but bug bites definitely aren’t on the list. If you have young children, you may want to have something on hand that will help soothe itchy mosquito bites and other insect bites naturally. These essential oils recipes are safe to use for bug bites on toddlers and will help soothe and heal their tender skin.
Of course, preventing the bites in the first place would be ideal but hey, stuff happens.
You might get caught up somewhere outdoors unexpectedly this summer where you just don’t have bug spray in your purse or diaper bag. Or you might go camping and have an undetected hole in your screen window.
Nothing like waking up to a bunch of mosquito bites!
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This article is not meant to be taken as medical advice. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about using essential oils on children under 5 or while pregnant or breastfeeding.
How To Use Essential Oils For Kids’ Bug Bites
There are quite a few great essential oils that can be used on toddlers’ bug bites safely. Oils like Lavender, Basil, Chamomile, and Tea Tree top the list with their natural antiseptic and healing properties. It is especially important when using essential oils on babies and toddlers that they are diluted. They can be applied with a roller bottle, or mixed in a spray bottle for a larger quantity.
The recipes I am sharing here are for 10 ml roller bottles. Their handy size makes them super convenient to bring along anywhere.
Please remember, when using essential oils topically on toddlers to use only a small amount, be sure it is diluted at a proper ratio with a carrier oil, and do a patch test ahead of time for any sign of an allergic reaction.
To do a patch test, apply a dime-sized amount on your child’s wrist and wait 24 hours. If there is any sign of an allergic reaction, do not use it on your child.
What Essential Oils Are Safe for Toddlers?
You may be wondering “What can I give my 2-year-old for mosquito bites?” Or maybe you are also unsure if essential oils are even safe to use on toddlers. What is the dilution ratio for kid-friendly essential oils recipes?
Those are all good things to wonder about! When it comes to essential oils and kids (especially babies and toddlers), some are indeed safe but some may not be. Note that some essential oils should not be used on small children (eg. peppermint and other “hot” oils) so don’t swap out the essential oils in your recipes.
I will link to resources at the bottom of the page for full lists of safe essential oils for kids as well as dilution ratios, but first I’ll share the 5 best recipes we found to help get rid of those itchy, scratchy bug bites on kids.
Is Peppermint Oil Safe To Use On Kids?
In a word, no.
For adults, most of the anti-itch remedies include peppermint and/or eucalyptus, but I do not use these essential oils for any of my toddler-friendly roller bottles. So the ones I am sharing are peppermint and eucalyptus-free.
Some people will tell you that peppermint is safe for very small children. I guess to me, even though some little ones may do fine with it, it isn’t worth the risk. Some will react to it. There are other safer options out there so I stick with those.
Plus, I am inclined to trust John Hopkins on this personally.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, peppermint oil should never be used on children younger than 30 months of age. They add “Don’t use undiluted oils directly on skin. Oils in their full form can be harmful if applied directly to the skin. Safe dilutions for children generally range from 0.5-2.5% depending on the condition and the age/weight of the child. Oils can be added to carrier oils, distilled water and lotions.” Source: John Hopkins Medicine, accessed June 10/21.
Which Essential Oils Are Best For Bug Bites On Toddlers?
For toddler bug bite itchy owies, many recipes call for Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils and it seems like in the holistic community the consensus is that these two are the best.
Be sure to use high-quality 100% essential oils (not just perfumed oil) in all your recipes. Lavender and Tea Tree are two of the best!
If you want to keep it very basic or you only have those two oils, just use equal parts (3 drops each) and fill 10 ml roller bottle with your choice of carrier oil. Both Tea Tree and Lavender essential oil have antiseptic qualities, and Lavender promotes healing as well.
Lavender works well because it has soothing and inflammatory-reducing properties and can help ease the pain, inflammation, and irritation from bug bites. It even helps with painful fire ant bites!
Be it mosquitos, spiders, gnats, or those lovely black flies that we get up north, having these essential oil roller bottle blends will be a big help.
Especially remember to pack them if you are planning any sort of camping trip!
5 Kid-Friendly Essential Oils Anti-Itch Recipes
Whip up these easy recipes to help relieve those irritating, red bug bites on toddlers and small kids.
These recipes are for a 10 ml roller bottle. I always start with just 6 drops total of oil, for older kids (3+), I would add up to 10 drops.
Lavender/Copaiba/Tea Tree
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Copaiba essential oil
- 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- Fill to top with carrier oil
Thieves/Lemon
Basil/Lavender/Tea Tree
- 2 drops Basil essential oil
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- Fill to top with carrier oil
Chamomile/Helichrysum/Lavender
- 2 drops Roman or German Chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops Helichrysum essential oil
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
- Fill to top with carrier oil
Lemongrass/Tea Tree/Lavender
- 2 drops Lemongrass essential oil
- 2 drops Tea Tree or Manuka essential oil
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
- Fill to top with carrier oil
So be sure to make up a few of these easy-peasy roller bottle blends to use in case you find yourself in a bug-bite predicament! Try a few different blends and see which works best for your family.
As a side note, I always keep a roller bottle of Frankincense/Lavender (1:1 ratio) on hand for any and all skin abrasions, red marks, or bites. I have an adult strength one with 20 drops and one for my 4-year-old with 10 drops. You can’t go wrong with Frank (not to mention what it does for wrinkles and fine lines but that’s another story…) so I just thought I’d throw that in too!
From our family to yours, enjoy the summer…May your bug bites be minimal and your memories be magical!
Until next time, K.
Kelly is the founder and creative force behind Just Our View From Here. As a first-time mom over 40, she brings a fresh perspective to parenting and family life on her blog. Kelly also explores a wide range of lifestyle topics in her writing, including fashion, beauty, self-care, and well-being.
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Resources
John Hopkins Medicine: Are Essential Oils Safe For Children (plus dilution instructions)
Healthline: Safe Essential Oils For Babies and How to Use Them
National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy: Essential Oils Safety Information
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