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EFT for Bug Bites

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques, and consists of focusing on an issue while tapping gently with your fingers on acupuncture points.  To learn more, please visit my EFT page.

EFT can be used for any pain or discomfort that you experience, whether physical or emotional.  When mosquito season is upon us, I urge you to try it for insect bites as well.  (EFT is also a highly effective treatment for fear or phobias of bees, wasps, spiders, or other insects.)




In his article, Dr. Fred Pomeroy details how he holds a dead insect in one hand while performing EFT, to desensitize his body to the bites.

Read about how JoAnn SkyWatcher used EFT to get near-instant relief from a hornet sting.  Notice that she uses the exact language that is going through her mind to achieve effective results.
A modified version of the EFT process:
NOTES ON TAPPING:  Tap each of the points gently 5-7 times with the fingertips of one hand.  You need only tap the points on one side of the body (whichever is more comfortable when using your dominant hand.)  In order to easily memorize the process, tap the points starting at the top of the head, working your way down to finish under the arm.  Repeat the phrase "this bite*" each time you tap a point.

1.  Focus on the bite.  Rubbing the tender spot (see diagram - don't rub the bite!) repeat three times "Even though I've been bitten*, I accept myself deeply and completely."  Proceed to tap each of the points saying "this bite*."

2.  State:  "I want to be over this bite*"  while tapping under the nose, then tap each of the points saying "this bite*."

3.  State:  "I want to be completely over this bite*" while tapping under the nose, then tap each of the points saying "this bite*."

4.  State:  "I will be completely over this bite*"  while tapping under the nose, then tap each of the points saying "this bite*."


Experiment with this!
Not sure EFT really does the trick??  Do some experiments.  Before you start, take a picture of any bites you may currently have.  Notice the size of the bite, and the degree of redness/swelling/itching, etc.  Make a written note of your degree of discomfort, on a scale of 0-10.  After performing the EFT, take another picture, and write down any changes in discomfort on your scale of 10.  Do several rounds of EFT, using different phrasing for each to see what has the greatest effect.  Sometimes there is a time delay - check again after several minutes, an hour, or the next morning.  What is your "bite recovery" time after using EFT compared to what it was previously?

Also, notice what changes you observe over the course of the season - you may find that your body becomes desensitized to bites in general, as seems to be the case with veterinary Fred Pomeroy below.
*You can alter the phrasing as appropriate, depending on what is going through your mind.  For example, you can say a different phrase at each tapping point:  "I can't believe I was bit,"  "it is so, so itchy,"  "I can't stop scratching,"  "it is driving me crazy,"  "I hate all these bugs,"  "the stupid repellent didn't work,"  "I can't stand all these bites,"  "bugs ruin my summer,"  "I've got red welts all over me,"  "the buzzing all around me,"  "they swarm around me,"  "I'm afraid of West Nile," "I always swell up,"  "my bites are so red"  (You get the idea...)   Also, pay attention to what comes up for you.  In this process for myself, I found I had to tap for an episode of poison ivy that I had years ago, and the itching that was associated with that.
Disclaimer:  This website represents the views of the presenter, Cora Rennie, and not necessarily those of EFT, Gary Craig or emofree.com.
This article about relieving bite welts on a three year old illustrates both the importance of finding the right wording, as well as the grace and ease with which most children accept and respond to tapping.
Watch these video examples of how to tap through a sequence. 
Copyright © 2009 Cora Rennie, Petawawa, ON
DISCLAIMER:  Information on this site is not intended to and does not constitute medical advice, recommendation or counselling under any circumstance.