Home remedies for bug bites, stings and other summer travel hazards

ATLANTA - Summer vacation means travel, and travel can sometimes mean trouble.

But Dr. Taz Bhatia, founder of the CentreSpringMD and Spa, says a few easy natural home remedies can help you avoid some common vacation hazards.

A big one these days, bug bites. With Zika virus, carried by infected mosquitoes, a growing health threat, most experts recommend an EPA-approved bug repellant.

"But you might want to make your own," says Dr. Bhatia. "You can take a spray bottle and put in a little apple cider vinegar and the oil of lemon eucalyptus. It actually works better than citronella and other home remedies for insects.

Mix that together and spray it on yourself or your children when you guys are outside."

If you get stung by a wasp or a jellyfish, Dr. Bhatia says, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the area.

If too much sun is the problem, and you get burned, aloe vera can help, as can a spray of Epsom salt and water.

For sleep problems, she recommends lavender oil.

"Rub that into your wrist or into your temples," Dr. Bhatia says.

The last thing you want to do is get sick on the road.

"Turmeric is a great one for that," says Dr. Bhatia. "You can take a little spice with you and mix it up into a tea on a regular basis and that does help to keep you well. "

And, if you have too much fun and overdo it, grab those Epsom salts, add a cup to a hot bath and relax.

It will take down muscle tension," says Dr. Bhatia. "It will help you to unwind. It may even help you with your sleep. Remember the key ingredient of Epsom salt is magnesium and magnesium absolutely helps with sleep."

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