Getting to Know Mosquito Bites
First, there's a buzzing sound. Soon after, the skin starts to itch. And then, a noticeable bump appears. Kids may not notice right away but when they do, the itchiness can be bothersome. Mosquito bites are a pain, but they can be easily avoided and treated. They usually occur when the female mosquitoes use their mouthparts to puncture the skin in order to gain access to the blood, which they need to lay eggs(1). The itch is caused by the mosquito saliva left on the skin that triggers a slight reaction from our immune system(1).
Usually, the mosquito bite is a reddish lump apparent on the skin. Other kinds of bites include hard, reddish-brown bumps or multiple bumps that appear a day after being bitten; there can also be small blisters or dark bruise-like spots(2). When the area bitten becomes swollen, sore, or red, this condition is called the Skeeter syndrome, which is common among children(1).
Prevention and Proper Treatment
Mosquitoes prefer particular scents such as exhaled carbon dioxide and chemicals of human sweat(1). It would be best to take precaution when your kid plays outdoors. It is also best to avoid the outdoors during dusk, repair tears in the screens of windows, and use mosquito nets when outside(1). Use of insect repellants may temporarily prevent insect bites, although some products offer longer lasting protection(1). It is also ideal to get rid of stagnant waters in drains and containers, which is often where mosquitoes breed around the home.
The itchy feeling caused by a mosquito bite often goes away on its own. But in case it becomes too uncomfortable, there are many available treatments to prevent itching, even for kids. Some home remedies include:
- washing the area with soap and water, or you can opt to use an ice pack or cool compress over the bite for a few minutes to reduce the swelling and itching(2).
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a paste makes for a good topical solution for the mosquito bite(2).
- applying calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to treat the itch caused by an insect bite(1).
- applying products which contain ingredients such as eucalyptus oil and camphor which have anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve pain and itch associated with mosquito bites.
- applying Aloe vera on the bite spot as it contains anti-inflammatory properties(7).
- finely minced garlic and stirred with unscented lotion or room temperature coconut oil to avoid burning and stinging from direct application of garlic onto the bite(7).
When to See A Doctor
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes are one of the deadliest insects that cause the deaths of millions worldwide each year(5). This is because they can carry viruses or parasites that can cause illnesses such as yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, and brain infection(1).
In 2015-2016, the world saw the epidemic of the Zika virus(6). In Malaysia, there were 68,950 cases of dengue in 2019 (4). The Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for transmittal of the zika virus, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever to humans(5).
If a mosquito or insect bite on your child is accompanied by fever, headache, body aches or other signs of infection, check in with your doctor immediately(1). Should there be a swollen face, mouth or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, nausea, a fast heart rate, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, or loss of consciousness, the insect bite may have caused a severe reaction and immediate medical attention is paramount(3).
References:
- Mosquito Bites (n.d.) Retrieved September 3, 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375314
- Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatment (n.d.) Retrieved September 3, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/symptoms.html#:~:text=Apply%20an%20ice%20pack%20for,cream%20for%20a%20mosquito%20bite.
- Insect bites and stings (2020) Retrieved September 3, 2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/treatment/
- Dengue Situation Update Number 599 (2020) Retrieved September 3, 2020 from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/wpro---documents/emergency/surveillance/dengue/dengue-20200716.pdf?sfvrsn=b42cfbd0_34
- Mosquito-borne diseases (n.d.) Retrieved September 3, 2020 from https://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/vector_ecology/mosquito-borne-diseases/en/
- Zika epidemiology update (2019) Retrieved September 3, 2020 from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/zika/epidemiology-update/en/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/home-remedies-for-mosquito-bites#garlic
Related Articles
Natural and Home Remedies for Mosquito and Other Insect Bites
The buzzing of mosquitoes has already become a part of your daily life, especially if you are living in a tropical country like Singapore. No matter the season, you may still find yourself scratching your skin non-stop due to a mosquito bite, but there are natural and home remedies to help counter mosquito and other insect bites.
Mosquito bites and Insect bites in Kids
Your child’s reaction to mosquito bites and insect bites is greater compared to yours. This is because the reaction to these bites is larger in the early childhood stages, and lessens over time(1). To effectively manage these bites and protect them from future incidents, here’s what you need to know about mosquito and other insect bites in kids.
Soothe Mosquito and Other Insect Bites
Unless you live inside a protective bubble 24/7, insect bites are an inevitable part of life. In that regard, here are some handy first-aid tips to relieve the symptoms of mosquito or insect bites, as well as preventive measures you can adopt for keeping bug bites at bay.