Just like adults, infants too can get bitten by different types of insects. Most insect bites do not cause any major medical complication in babies and can be treated with topical creams and ointments. Some, however, do need medical attention. Here’s all that you need to know about insect bites on infants, the symptoms, prevention, and the various ways of treating them.
Insect bites are very common in infants. However, it majorly depends on the time your baby spends indoors or outdoors. Babies who remain indoors most of the time are less likely to have insect bites or will have fewer insect bites than babies who spend more time outdoors. It also depends on how ventilated your house is, how long you keep the windows open, and the weather conditions. The weather is important because insect bites are more common during hot and humid weather than in cold weather.
Insect bite symptoms may vary according to the affected area of the body, the type of insect, and whether or not toxins or irritants have penetrated the baby’s body. Some babies may not cry or show any signs unless the parents notice the bite, while some babies may cry frantically. When you do notice a mark on your baby’s body, do take a closer look to identify if it is an insect bite and also check for other symptoms to gauge if your baby could need medical attention. Here are some common symptoms that you will notice:
Most insect bites are treatable at home. You could use home remedies or buy safe over-the-counter creams to ease the pain in the area where your baby has had a bug bite. Here are some ways you could provide first aid for insect bites on babies:
All the above-mentioned treatment options work really well in treating most insect bites. However, if you notice that the insect bite is becoming redder or the swelling is increasing, you should seek medical help immediately.
Many times, parents need to treat insect bites immediately to soothe and calm the baby until they can reach a medical store and buy some medicine. That’s where home remedies come to the rescue. Here are some home remedies to treat insect bites on babies:
These home remedies may help in treating insect bites in babies when you have no access to medicines and creams. Although most of these remedies are safe to use, you must ensure that your baby is not allergic to the products. Natural ingredients could irritate the skin more and add to the discomfort. So, we recommend that you consult your doctor before adopting any home remedial measures to treat insect bites in babies.
Some insect bites may cause an allergic reaction in babies. Bites/ stings from wasps, hornets, bees, etc., may cause severe complications and may need immediate medical attention. In case your baby gets bitten by insects, keep a watch for the symptoms mentioned below and take necessary action:
Now that you know a little more about insect bites and ways to treat them, here are some ways you can prevent your children from getting bitten by insects.
When you know your baby is bound to get a bug bite on the playground or in the house, you must take preventive measures to avoid the discomfort or inconvenience insect bites cause. The following measures may reduce your child’s chances of getting stung by insects:
Here are a few FAQ’s that will help you know more about insect bites on babies and how you can handle them effectively:
Insect bites are very common in children. Fleas, mosquitoes, spiders or ticks often show milder symptoms, whereas fire ants, bees, wasps, and hornet bites can be very painful and discomforting for your child. Although there is nothing to stress about, you must provide first aid to your baby to soothe the irritation and keep his skin healthy. Ignoring the bites could lead to the baby scratching them, and the infection could spread.
If you notice a stinger in your baby’s skin, you must pull it out with your fingernails or with tweezers. You can also try scraping it out with a credit card. Then, you must wash the area with mild soap and water, and apply ice to reduce the swelling and itching. Baking soda solution or calamine solution can also be used to relieve itching. If all these remedies do not help, see your doctor immediately.
An insect bite or sting can become infected in a few days if your child scratches it with his nails. If you notice the affected area becoming redder, more swollen, or if you see your child developing a fever, take your child to the hospital. Your child may then need a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. Apart from these, if an unusual symptom is registered, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
If you are travelling to a country where flies, mosquitoes or other insects are responsible for spreading life-threatening diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya or yellow fever, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner about the same. You may be advised to give a shot or take medicines to help your child fight these ailments.
Insect bites are common, and although it is possible to prevent insect bites, your child could still get bitten or stung at some point in time. With careful planning and awareness, you can handle insect bites on your baby, and keep hime safe and healthy.
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