Homemade Cooling Anti-Itch Spray

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DIY anti-itch spray
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Homemade Cooling Anti-Itch Spray

Oh summer… how I love thee. With an abundance of fresh veggies at the farmer’s market (not to mention fresh peaches for cobbler) and lots of fun activities to do as a family, summer is almost perfect…

Except for the mosquitoes… or the occasional poison ivy… or an itchy peeling sunburn!

Of course, homemade bug spray helps ward off most of the mosquitoes, and homemade sunscreen helps avoid the sunburn in the first place. Still, it seems that at some point someone forgets one or the other and ends up with itchy, irritated skin.

I always seem to be a magnet for mosquitoes, so even just a couple minutes of cutting the boys’ hair outside or taking out the trash is usually enough to leave me with a few bites.

The solution?

Homemade Anti-Itch Spray

This anti-itch spray contains a mixture of potent natural remedies that help eliminate itch immediately. I’ve tried it on mosquito bites, poison ivy, sunburn, chigger bites, and even stinging nettle burns with good results.

The secret ingredient is menthol crystals. I use these potent natural crystals in my pain relief lotion bars and my soothing shower melts for cold relief. Menthol is naturally cooling and soothing and is often used in salves, balms, mouthwashes, liniments, lozenges, and other remedies.

I make this in a 4-ounce spray bottle, but you could easily double the recipe or cut in half to fit your container size.

DIY anti-itch spray
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4.67 from 6 votes

Cooling Anti-Itch Spray Recipe

This simple Anti-Itch Spray uses witch hazel, aloe vera gel, sea salt, menthol crystals, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils to stop the itch.
Active Time10 minutes
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, heat the witch hazel over low heat until warm to the touch (about 130 degrees).
  • Add the salt and stir until dissolved.
  • Using tweezers or gloves, add the menthol crystals to the witch hazel and stir until dissolved. Avoid touching menthol with your hands, as it can sting eyes or other sensitive areas if you touch them afterward.
  • When the menthol is dissolved set the mixture aside to cool.
  • When it is cool, add the aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils if using.
  • Carefully transfer the mixture to a spray bottle for use.

Notes

To use, spray and let dry on itchy skin. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Use & Storage

Spray and let dry on itchy skin as needed. This will store for months at room temperature, but I prefer to keep in the refrigerator for extra cooling of itchy skin.

Note: The essential oils can be left out for use on pregnant women or children, but I’d still recommend checking with a doctor before using if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.

Other Natural Remedies for Itchy Skin

If you don’t have all the ingredients for this anti-itch spray on hand when itchy skin strikes, there are some simple natural methods to try:

  • Apply a paste of bentonite clay and water to treat itchy skin. I also use bentonite clay in my anti-itch cream (use it like calamine lotion).
  • Crush peppermint leaves and rub them on bug bites for a natural menthol effect.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda and water for a soothing paste.
  • The Native Americans used jewelweed for its skin-soothing properties. If you don’t feel like playing naturalist and foraging for it (thus getting more poison ivy), you can buy an herbal jewelweed salve.

While the spray is my first choice when it comes to soothing an itchy bug bite, I have also been introduced to the Bug Bite Thing. Simply put the device on the bug bite itself and pull up to suction up the irritants!

Ever struggled with itchy skin? What worked for you?

Homemade anti-itch spray recipe

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

44 responses to “Homemade Cooling Anti-Itch Spray”

  1. Patrick Monahan Avatar
    Patrick Monahan

    Just wanted to say thanks for the itch relief. I have a mild form of ichthyosis and after bathing the itching is intolerable. Your menthol mix helped greatly. Nothing was giving me relief. Could dull it some by large doses of antihistamines or whiskey. That gets old fast. Still itch somewhat but I can stand it at this level.
    You should post links or recipe itself on the ichthyosis sites. There are a lot of us that need relief.

  2. Bette Avatar

    For a number of years, I have found that hot water–hot to the point of stinging but not scalding–on a compress or from the faucet for 30 seconds or so will quickly stop itching from any cause that I’ve tried it with yet. It usually itches again a few minutes later, but normally that ends it. If a bug bite is new, one application is all that it takes; if it is a day or two old, it may require a total of three over the course of two days. I am always amazed.

  3. Judy Mueller Avatar
    Judy Mueller

    Can these the anti itch recipes be used on dogs? My dog has dry skin and would much rather use a natural product than an over the counter product on her.

  4. Cat Avatar

    Do you use this on children? I know the menthol content is a big part of why peppermint oil is not considered safe until the age of 6. Would you follow the same recommendations for this as for something containing peppermint oil?

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