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Mosquitoes, chiggers, bees, wasps… Insects bite to eat or to defend themselves. At the time of the sting or bite, saliva or venom is injected under the skin. These substances are then considered foreign by the body and cause a reaction of the immune system. Hence the inflammation which results in swelling and itching.
After the bite, children react with a small red bump on the skin where they were bitten. This usually lasts a day or two, or even a week.
Mosquito bites in children
“Every summer it’s the same. Elsa literally gets eaten by mosquitoes. The pimples swell, redden and sometimes even form more or less hard patches. At 4 years old, it was difficult to prevent him from scratching, sometimes even to the point of blood, to relieve himself for a few moments when the itching is too intense ”, testifies Alba, his mother. “It is at the start of the season that the reactions are most acute, then the body gets used to it”, explains Dr Emmanuelle Rondeleux, pediatrician, allergist and homeopath in Libourne. “Sometimes there can be allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to the stings,” adds the specialist.
Soothe the pain
The first thing to do is to disinfect the button. Repeat the operation once or twice a day if the lesions seem to be superinfecting. “Then, to limit the reaction, ask your doctor for a calming corticosteroid cream. Apply it at night on pimples. You will thus avoid any risk of depigmentation of the skin ”, specifies Dr. Rondeleux. In case of swelling, especially in the eyelids, or intense itching, the pediatrician may prescribe an antihistamine. Do not hesitate to cut his nails so that he does not aggravate the condition of his buttons with long nails, not always very clean. Has your child scratched a lot? Are there small traces left? A healing cream composed of zinc and copper will promote repair of the epidermis and limit superinfection. Finally, be aware that bites localized to the eyelids often deserve a consultation, because they tend to double in size!
Think about homeopathy
“For prevention, you can give 5 granules of Ledum Palustre every day. In the event of a sting, combine it with Apis Mellifica to reduce the reaction, ”recommends Dr. Rondeleux.
For the night, invert in a mosquito net. In the evening, prefer covering clothes (no bare legs or arms). With toddlers, we favor natural products. Pour a few drops of lemongrass or lavender essential oils in a cup.
If your child is bitten by a mosquito: apply a soothing cream suitable for his age. Otherwise a compress of water mixed with wine vinegar will do very well. A grandmother’s remedy that works well!
The stings of bees, wasps, hornets and company …
Hymenoptera are rarely aggressive, but hate to be disturbed. Warn Your Children: we do not approach and we remain calm when a bee or a wasp approaches. Above all, don’t let them walk barefoot in the garden or roll around in the grass (they can nestle in the ground).
Flying insect bites cause particularly severe pain. Especially since the stinger can remain under the skin. The place where the Hymenoptera stung is red, swollen and can be up to 10 cm in diameter. These bites can take a few days to heal.
Avoid: eating sweet, it attracts them!
If your child gets bitten: use a venom suction pump (Venimex or Aspivenin). Wash with plenty of soap and water, and apply a local antiseptic. Calm the pain and reduce the edema with ice enclosed in a washcloth or apply an anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointment. Same indications for the gadfly.
Chiggers bites, caterpillars …
These small spiders, like processionary caterpillars, live on the ground, in lawns or at the foot of trees. If your baby is crawling, consider putting on pants. Either way, put on a t-shirt and avoid sittings or swimsuit rolls.
If your child is bitten: disinfect the wound (Chlorexidine, Hexaminide) and apply a soothing cream.
Tick bites in children
Very common in the countryside, ticks very easily cling to the skin of children during a walk in the woods or a game of hide and seek in the bushes. To avoid this unwanted host, don’t let your kids shirtless. Protect their shoulders, their arms with a t-shirt and the base of their neck with a small scarf, for example. For a walk in the forest, Bermuda shorts and socks are essential.
After each walk, or each evening when you take a shower, inspect children’s skin to make sure they are free from tick bites.
If redness appears a few days or weeks after the bite, consult very quickly, it could be Lyme disease (or Lyme borreliosis).
If your child is bitten: the tick sticks its head under the skin. It must be dislodged entirely using a tick puller (sold in pharmacies) or forceps, held perpendicularly by turning gently counterclockwise and taking care not to tear off the head. When you have completely removed the tick, apply a local antiseptic to the affected area.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor because the tick can cause infections.
How to prevent insect bites in children?
A few simple actions can limit the bites. Dress your child in long-sleeved clothes and prefer light pants rather than shorts … Install a mosquito net over your bed or window. Place repellent plants, such as lavender, lemongrass, or lemon verbena near your windows or decks. But as far as possible, do not use electric mosquito repellent diffusers or spray cans. Avoid repellents to be applied directly to the skin, to limit any sensitization if your child has very sensitive skin, and respect the indicated age limits. Prefer insecticides that spray on clothes.
Taking all of these tips into account, nuisance bites should soon be a distant memory.
Insect and child bites: emergencies
He has an allergy. Sometimes a single bite is enough to cause an allergic reaction. Edema or hives may appear. Better to consult a doctor quickly. Sometimes the child feels unwell. His head is spinning, his face swelling, he vomits, breathes less well. In this case, lay it on its side and call the SAMU (15).
He has about ten bites. Your child has been attacked by a swarm of wasps or bees. The greater the number of bites, the more poison is injected into the body.. Other signs are added to the local reaction: vomiting, headaches, drop in blood pressure. Call for help.
He was stung in the mouth. The edema caused by the sting can prevent air from passing. The person therefore risks choking. Call for help without delay (15).
Insect bite in baby
If your baby has been bitten, wash the area of the bite first with soap and water. Then put ice wrapped in a damp cloth where he was bitten to relieve the pain, no more than 15 minutes. The inflammation and itching will decrease with the cold. Elevation of the affected area may decrease swelling.