In This Article
- Symptoms of insect bites and stings
- How to prevent insect bites
- First-aid tips
- Time to go to the pediatrician
Regardless of the weather, when it is about kid’s safety, you cannot deny from the incidents of insect bites. Although most of insects are seasonal, and they become more aggressive in the summers. However, there are a few that are always there. Mosquitoes are one of them. When the child is bitten or stung by an insect, the first signs that appear are allergic reactions such as swelling or redness of the area. In this article, we will be talking about the symptoms, and first aid tips, in case of insect bites.
Insects like mosquitoes, fleas, spiders, sand fleas, wasps, bees, horseflies, ants and muskets can be very troublesome. You can see most of these in every season. In most cases, these bites are very common and discomfort they cause is diminished within a few hours. However, there are severe cases, as well.
SYMPTOMS OF INSECT BITES AND STINGS
Reactions to insect bites vary child to child and depends upon a number of factors. The location of the bite, whether the insects have managed to inject toxins, how strong the child’s response to that poison was, etc. Some children will have almost no reaction, other may have swelling.
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Usually, the stings or bites cause a rapid reaction, which is represented by inflammation, such as swelling, itching, and pain. After a few hours of incident, there may be delayed reactions such as fever, swelling of the lymph nodes breath-shortness, joint pain, or rashes. Should you see such serious signs, immediately see a pediatrician.
HOW TO PREVENT INSECT BITES (TO AN EXTENT)
Now, let us talk about how to prevent insect bites.
- Avoid areas where wasp exists, such as near beehives or household debris that attract insects.
- Avoid wetlands near lakes or ponds, areas that may be full of mosquitoes.
- Do not allow the child to walk barefoot through the grass.
- Do not allow that child to drink directly from opened bottles or outdoor taps.
- Always try to wear clothes that cover as much of the skin’s surface as possible.
- In case, your windows are not having any door mesh, you need to cover them at the earliest possible. You can buy door mesh from reputed online stores.
- Use a mosquito net, if your baby sleeps outdoors or in a room with an open window.
- Use spray against insects. Always purchase such spray after a discussion with your pediatrician.
FIRST-AID TIPS
1Mosquito Bite
Things you should be doing
First, clean the affected area with soap and water to remove any remaining saliva from the mosquito. Then apply an antiseptic cream to reduce itching and inflammation. Do keep in mind that mosquito bite leads to itching. Hence, do not forget to use something with this symptom in mind.
Things you should NOT be doing
Do not allow the child to scratch. Scratching will not only damage his skin but will increase the increase in the infection, as well.
2Bee Stings
Things you should be doing
In case of a bee sting, if you can see a dart/sting, remove it immediately using your fingernail. The faster you do, the less venom it will be able to inject.
Then clean the area with plenty of soap and water. Again, apply an antiseptic cream for pain relief. Should you see signs of allergy, without wasting a minute, visit your pediatrician.
Things you should NOT be doing
Be very careful, while handling that sting/dart. Do not try to remove that with a needle or fingers. This way more venom can penetrate, causing even greater pain.
3Spider Bites
Things you should be doing
The first aid procedure remains the same, even in case of a spider bite. Disinfect the bite spot with plenty of soap and water. Then apply an antibiotic cream. Apply a bag of ice to the bite to reduce swelling and pain. Take your baby to a pediatrician at the earliest possible.
Things you should NOT be doing
Should you see signs of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain, pus or any kind of swelling, especially around the affected area, go to the doctor urgently. In some cases, your doctor may need to know what kind of insect it was. So, be prepared for such questions.
4Ant Bites
Things you should be doing
Wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water and apply the first-aid cream. It will prevent further itching. In case you see blisters, no need to panic. Apply a cold compress to lessen the itching or burning sensation.
Things you should NOT be doing
Do not break the small blisters and do not let your baby scratch these. Broken blisters can become infected. In case, it happens accidentally, do keep the area clean and covered. You can use a bandage for the purpose. Do not forget to apply an antibiotic ointment.
5Horsefly Bite
Things you should be doing
They are those big flies whose bites cause much discomfort to man. Immediately after the bite, the pain appears. Your baby will experience swelling in the area, redness, and itching. In this case, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Apply ice several times a day. Then, apply some antibiotic ointment.
Things you should NOT be doing
Avoid scratching, as broken skin can become infected. In case, your baby experience consistent bleeding, consult your pediatrician immediately.
6Flea Bites
Things you should be doing
It manifests in the form of small, red spots that appear on a restricted portion of the skin. They are accompanied by strong itching, which can be relieved by applying a bag of ice.
Things you should NOT be doing
Itching can cause skin wounds, hence over infections. Therefore, not let your baby scratch it.
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WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE PEDIATRICIAN
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In the case of mild reactions, you can treat these insect bites at home. However, there are times when you need to see a doctor immediately.
- When your baby is bitten on the neck or face.
- When you can see the reaction on the child’s face, lips, and tongue. For these reactions, you may have to wait from 20 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours.
- Your baby has fainted or has lost his consciousness.
- Your baby has a fever or he is showing signs of laziness after 24 or 48 hours of the incident.
- If you see joint pain, rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, even after a week of the incident.
Dare not to overlook any of these signs. In any case, even after giving him a first-aid, it is highly recommended to see a pediatrician.
Important Notice
These tips are purely for informational purpose and you must not consider these any of these as medical advice.
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