5 Effective Tips To Treat Mosquito Bites In Toddlers

Mosquito bites in toddlers are common, and the itching annoyance these bites cause can irritate your toddler significantly. These bites may sometimes cause severe infections, such as malaria, chikungunya, dengue feverⁱXA mosquito-borne viral disease that causes a high fever and acute pain in the joints., and West Nile EncephalitisⁱXAn infectious disease characterized by brain inflammation caused by the West Nile Virus. (1).

In particular, West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common cause of mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most infected people do not feel sick, and approximately 1 in 5 people infected with WNV experience fever and other signs.

Additionally, scratching the irritating bites might result in boils, scarring, and scabbingⁱXThe dried crusty surface of a healing skin wound.. Therefore, prevention is the best approach, and you must take precautions to keep your toddler safe from mosquito bites.

This post explains all you need to know about mosquito bites, including recognizing them in toddlers and steps to protect them.

9 Ways To Protect Your Toddler From Mosquito Bites

You need to protect your toddler from mosquito bites. Here is what you can do (2) (3):

1. Use protective clothing that covers their arms and legs. Wearing socks is also a good idea to protect them from bites.

2. Make your toddler wear light colored clothes and avoid flowery prints to keep away the mosquitoes.

3. Rather than applying insect repellent cream on their body directly, you can apply it on the clothes and rub it gently. The repellents you use must contain eucalyptus oil, citronella, picaridin, or geraniol. It must not come in contact with their hands and eyes. If you do not want to use cream or lotion, you can use mosquito repellent spray instead.

4. You must never rub DEET products on the clothes of your toddler. The chemicals can cause potential harm to their skin.

5. Using a mosquito net at home is a good practice that you should follow. Netting is a cheap and easy way to offer protection without using chemicals. You can keep one handy in your car and carry it wherever you go.

6. Keep your toddler away from areas that have too many mosquitoes. Stagnant water and woody regions are highly inhabited by these pesky insects. Keep your toddler away from motionless water.

7. You must look out for empty garbage cans, unused toys or portable pool for your toddler that are also suitable breeding grounds.

8. If you have broken window seals, repair them. Keep the doors and windows closed if you face the problem of mosquitoes where you live. Use a fan or an air conditioner instead.

9. You must be particularly vigilant with your preventive techniques during dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

6 Effective Tips To Treat Mosquito Bites In Toddlers

Toddlers usually become an easy target for mosquitoes to bite. Here is what you can do while treating mosquito bites in toddlers (4) (5).

1. If you find your toddler scratching the affected area, apply ice to prevent swelling and itchiness.

2. You can also apply a roll-on deodorant containing aluminum chloride.

3. To treat the bite, you may also apply calamineⁱXAn OTC topical ointment used for relieving itching, pain, and skin irritation.lotion.

In addition to the above-mentioned tips, a mother shares her remedy to relieve her toddler from mosquito bites and itching. She explains, “1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon bentonite clay and an equal amount of apple cider vinegar, and sunflower oil. Mix clay and vinegar thoroughly, until you reach a mayonnaise consistency. Fizzing is normal. Dab some of this mixture onto your mosquito bites, until covered. Let dry completely, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Rub in some sunflower oil. My toddler was scratching the crap out of one of the bites on her leg. Once I applied the clay, and then the oil, she didn’t bother with her bite until bedtime. The best part was that her bite was gone the next day (i).”

4. Continuous scratching may cause fingernails to break into the skin and cause growth of bacteria. So ask your toddler not to scratch it.

5. In case you find any signs of infection like pus, redness and swelling, call the doctor.

Symptoms Of Allergies From Mosquito Bites

Some of the common symptoms of allergic reaction that you should look for are as follows (5) (6):

• Anaphylaxis (rare)ⁱXAn extreme reaction to an allergen causing breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness.
• Large hivesⁱXSkin rash characterized by itchiness, commonly caused by allergenic foods or medications.

• Breathing trouble
• Blisters
• Difficulty swallowing

You should immediately see a doctor as these symptoms can be life threatening. Apart from being concerned about allergies, you must also consider the dangerous diseases transmitted through mosquito bites.

When To Be Extra Alert For Toddler Mosquito Bites?

In the following cases, you must take your toddler to a doctor at the earliest (7):

• If you find reactions occurring in different body parts and he complains of difficulty in breathing.
• In case the irritation, itchiness, or swelling gets worse.

• If your toddler complains of pain and redness in the affected area and it does not subside even after 48 hours.
• If they talk or act in a confused manner.
• If you see pus draining at the site of the bite.

Watch this video to learn about the mechanism of a mosquito bite and how it affects us.