The pesky mosquito bites can really sting at times and can leave nasty marks that may even take a few days to disappear. Mosquito bites are both common in adults and babies. In fact, it is common for babies to get bitten by mosquitoes.
Mosquito bites can be itchy and irritable to children and can also cause a little bit of sting and swelling. While mosquito bites are common, it may be the major cause of worry if your baby suffers from high fever. This calls for immediate attention and you may need to get his blood tested for the following:
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Here is how to figure out if the mosquito bite has infected your baby in any way:
- A bite usually turns into an infection when bacteria enter the body.
- This occurs when the mosquito bites baby, or when he scratches it.
When it happens, check for the following symptoms:
- Patch of redness around the mosquito bite area.
- A firm bump.
- Check baby’s temperature, if he is suffering from high fever.
- If you suspect an infection, take him to the doctor immediately.
- In very rare cases, the child might manifest symptoms of serious conditions like encephalitis (swelling of the brain) or even meningitis.
If your baby seems confused or develops high fever and a stiff neck, take him to the hospital.
Preventing Mosquito Bites:
Despite constant care, all children are susceptible to mosquito bites. As the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure’, you can always take the following precautions to ensure that they are safe from these monstrous mosquitoes:
- Avoid taking your baby to mosquito-infested areas or to the places where they congregate, like garbage cans, uncovered sweets and damp gardens.
- Do not leave the house until after the sun rises, and stay indoors when it turns dark to avoid a mosquito attack.
- Try and restrict mosquitoes to the outer limits of the main living area of your home by utilizing screens on windows and doors to act as barriers.
- If there is any standing water accumulating in your yard, get rid of it as it is the breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- You could always apply mosquito-repellents on infants and young children albeit sparingly to avoid other complications. While doing this make sure only their hands and face are exposed. Ask your doctor for recommendations, if you are not sure of which is safe.
- Your child should be dressed in long pants and shirts in areas where you doubt large gatherings of mosquitoes. Avoid making him wear bright colors as they attract mosquitoes.
Mosquito bites can be a painful. Here are some easy treatments which you opt for:
- If you find a mosquito trying to sit on your child’s arm, swat it away with your hands and immediately apply ice to that area to ensure that the area does not start itching or swelling. An aluminium chloride-based deodorant is also very useful as it helps shrink the bite in little time. Make sure you carry it in your purse.
- In order to ease the itchy feeling that mosquitoes leaves behind, you can always apply calamine lotion or an effective hydrocortisone cream to get rid of the bite caused by the mosquito immediately.
- Prevent your child from scratching the area surrounding the bite. His little, sharp fingernails can very easily break the skin that surrounds the bite which can then let bacteria in through the open pore. Trim his fingernails, especially if they are long.
- Call your family doctor if you happen to notice any signs of infection caused if your child scratches or picks at the bite. Swelling, pus or even redness could be the warning signs that you need to take him to get medical attention.
- Check for symptoms to ensure that your child does not fall prey to sickness or other virus attacks that could be deadly at times. Some of the common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and headaches, among others.
Natural Remedies For Bites:
Here are some natural remedies that should help in the initial stages:
- Apply a small amount of vinegar to the area infected; for multiple bites, add a few teaspoons of vinegar to your kid’s bath for best results.
- Rub a dry soap bar on the bite immediately when it occurs. This will provide a temporary solution to the itchiness caused by the mosquito bite.
- Apply a small amount of peppermint or neem toothpaste to the affected area. Allow the paste to dry on the area before washing it away.
- A small amount of raw honey is also effective when it comes to removing nasty mosquito bites. It possesses antimicrobial properties which aid in preventing infections of any kind.
- Make a salt paste by using a little bit of salt and water. Apply the paste directly to the mosquito bite for immediate relief from the itchiness.
- Aloe is also effective when it comes to removing the swelling caused by the mosquito bite. It also helps heal the wound caused by the bite.
- Onions may make us cry, but they are useful in removing the sting out of a mosquito bite. Make sure that you wash the area once afterwards.
- Applying a few drops of lemon juice to the affected area also helps owing to the acidic content and Vitamin C present in it.
Mosquito bites can cause bumps and may even lead to serious illness, if not taken care of immediately. It may leave your little one painful and you would never want to see your baby cry in pain. So make sure that you follow all preventive measure and stay safe.
We hope this article provided you with the information you require to take immediate action when your child is bitten by a mosquito. Share your views and queries by commenting below.
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