Insect bites are common in children, especially during the summer and spring months. While most insect bites have mild, local reactions, mosquito bites are the ones that cause more discomfort than you can ever imagine. Mosquito bites can cause red, itchy bumps on your little one’s skin, and in some cases lead to severe complications like blisters and lesions. Moreover, certain breeds of mosquitoes carry harmful diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, and that’s why it’s all the more imp[ortant to follow precautionary measures and keep your little one safe from them.
So if you are wondering how to cure mosquito bites and what precautions to take to avoid them in the first place, then keep reading, as we have discussed all the details in this post, and have also mentioned when to seek medical help, if the bites turn severe.
First Off, Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch So Much?
When mosquitoes bite, they draw out some blood, while injecting their saliva into your bloodstream. Their saliva contains anticoagulants and proteins, which trigger the body’s immune system. This further causes the body’s immune system to release a compound called histamine that helps increase the flow of white blood cells to the affected area. Histamines are what cause itchiness, inflammation, and swelling after a mosquito bite.
Since your toddler’s skin is more sensitive than yours, mosquito bites affect them more and cause bigger bumps and irritation. However, you must discourage your child from scratching the affected area, as that can lead to severe complications. Let’s understand about it more in the next section.
What Happens When You Scratch Mosquito Bites?
When your toddler scratches a mosquito bite, it causes the affected area to become more inflamed. This also increases the itching sensation and may cause their skin to break into an infection, causing more discomfort. To relieve their itchiness, you can try quick remedial methods to soothe inflammation and redness.
7+ Helpful Remedies To Relieve Mosquito Bites
Clean The Affected Area With Rubbing Alcohol
If you notice your toddler scratching the bite, then quickly wipe the affected area with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol has a cooling effect on the skin and can soothe the irritation caused by insect bites. However, avoid using too much of it, as it can cause redness and irritation.
Apply An After-bite Relief Roll-on
You can also consider applying an after-bite relief roll-on on your child’s skin. Opt for one that has a botanical formula and is free of chemicals, such as BabyChakra’s after-bite relief roll-on. This after-bite roll-on contains soothing ingredients like lavender oil, chamomile oil, and calendula oil that exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce swelling and irritation in your child’s skin.
The relief roll-on also contains peppermint, nutmeg, and organic coconut oil that form a protective layer on your toddler’s skin and protect against dust and pollutants to avoid the risk of infections.
Give Your Child An Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe insect and bug bites. You can add oatmeal to your toddler’s bath, or apply it as a mask over the affected area. You can make a mask by adding a little bit of water to colloidal oatmeal and then using a brush to apply it to the mosquito bite. Wash it off with warm water after 15 minutes, and moisturise your little one’s skin to avoid dryness.
Use A Cold Tea Bag To Relieve Irritation
Black and green tea have anti-swelling effects and can help reduce itching caused by mosquito and bug bites. Tea has anti-inflammatory properties that quickly relieve swelling and reduce itching. Soak a bag of black or green tea and then pop it into the fridge to cool. Apply the chilled tea bag to your toddler’s skin for a minute or two and repeat several times a day until the inflammation reduces.
Use Over-the-Counter Antihistamines
Histamines cause inflammation in the body, and to counter its effects, you can try giving your child an antihistamine, available over-the-counter. You can opt both for oral or topical solutions, whichever your child is more comfortable with. An oral antihistamine that you can try is Benadryl, and if you want a topical solution, try applying calamine lotion on your child’s skin for relief.
Make A Basil Rub
Basil has chemical compounds and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve itchy skin. You can apply a basil rub-like lotion to the affected area for quick relief. To make a basil rub at home, boil two cups of water, and add ½ cup of dried basil leaves to it. After the mixture cools, dip a soft cloth into it and apply it over the affected area. For a more immediate effect, you can also try chopping fresh basil leaves and rubbing them over your child’s skin.
Apply Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has many medicinal properties and also helps in the quick healing of wounds and infections. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce swelling in your skin, and its antibacterial properties can help ward off infections. It also provides a cooling effect when applied, and can help soothe your child’s skin quickly.
Apply A Little Bit Of Honey On The Affected Area
Honey is also considered an effective remedy for treating mosquito bites. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness in your toddler’s skin and also aid in the quick healing of mosquito bites. Apply a tablespoon of honey to your child’s skin, and rinse after 10 mins with warm water.
Other Home Remedies To Try For Mosquito Bites, But With Caution
You can also try other remedies for quick effect, but keep in mind, that these ingredients can increase the risk of skin irritation and also cause skin concerns like dryness. So, consult your child’s doctor before using them. Ingredients to use with caution include:
- lemon/lime juice
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Toothpaste
When To Seek Medical Help?
In case you notice the following reactions in your child’s skin, consult a doctor immediately:
- Their skin is breaking out in hives
- If your child starts wheezing
- If they have difficulty breathing
- If they have blisters all over their skin
- They have a high fever
Prevention Is Key
The best way to avoid mosquito bites is through prevention and preparation. You can use a natural mosquito repellent body spray with organic actives like citronella and lemongrass oil that exhibit natural mosquito-repelling properties and keep your little one’s skin moisturised and hydrated. Apply the repellent spray over your child’s clothes before they head out for playtime in the evening to offer full-proof protection against bug and mosquito bites.
You can also stick natural mosquito repellent patches on their clothes to protect them against harmful mosquitoes. Just stick a patch anywhere on their clothes to protect them from pesky mosquito bites. The best part is that these patches have cute designs and your kids will definitely love them.
We hope we’ve answered all your questions on how to cure mosquito bites in kids. Use the remedial methods that we’ve discussed, and also follow precautionary measures, such as applying mosquito repellent spray or patches on your toddler’s clothes, so that they can enjoy playtime without getting bit by those pesky insects.
Also read:
Mosquito bites on babies: Check out this article to know the right ways to treat mosquito bites on your baby.
Feature image: Freepik.com
