As parents, we know how hard it is to keep our kiddos safe from everything. One of the hardest things to keep them safe from is bug bites.
As a family, outdoor play and fresh air are so important. We can’t take that away from our kids. It just means that we have to be extra, extra careful when it comes to the threat of bug bites.
But what do we do when our efforts are in vain and our kiddos still get bites? We make a mad dash for the products we know will work. Sometimes we have all the right answers, and sometimes we need an extra push in the right direction.
Thankfully, you have The Natural Patch Co. on your side! However, before we break down how to treat those bites, we want to give you some vital information on how to prevent them and what to look out for.
We are breaking down all you need to know about anti-itch creams and how they work. Then we will give you some great products to use to keep those sweet babes of yours relieved from the itch fast and forever.
Bug Bites: The Why, How, and When
There are quite a few types of insects out there that just can’t wait to make a meal of you and your little ones. Knowing what you’re up against is key to knowing what to do.
Why Do Bug Bites Itch?
What it breaks down to, is our bodies react to the proteins in saliva that bugs secrete. They use their saliva to aid in their meals and leave it behind when they fly, jump, or crawl away. So we are left with a bite and an itching sensation we just can’t shake.
When we are trying to treat bites from bugs, such as mosquitoes, we are essentially trying to rid our skin of the saliva and proteins left behind.
When Bites Get Worse: Bug Bite Allergies
The red welts, bumps, itching, and irritation caused by bug bites is our bodies’ reaction to the saliva and proteins that bugs secrete. In a sort of sense, we all have a slight allergic reaction to the bug bites we can’t avoid.
Thankfully, most reactions only last a few days to a week at most.
In rare but extreme situations of heightened sensitivity, medical attention is needed. These types of reactions are more common in children, as their bodies aren’t as used to being bitten. As we get older, our immune systems get more accustomed to bites and how to respond.
This is why it’s so important for us to understand the different types of bugs, their bites, and what to do about them.
How To Prevent Bug Bites
Bites are going to happen, but at least for our own sanity, we need to know we tried our very best to prevent them in the first place. So before we talk about how to treat them, let’s talk about how to avoid them.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wearing the right clothing is the first step in protecting yourself and your kids from bugs. Tight, thin fabrics such as spandex are easy for an insect, like a mosquito or spider, to bite through.
Instead, opt for something heavier, more sufficient. Denim is the best; it will protect your skin from any insect out there looking for a meal. If denim isn’t weather-appropriate or possible, windbreaker materials will also work and keep you bite-free (and super stylish).
Essential Oils
Thicker fabrics, long socks, and pants aren’t always possible. Kids have sporting events that require uniforms, and on hot days we need to stay cool while also enjoying the outdoors.
So, we have to find other ways to protect ourselves and our families.
For thousands of years, indigenous tribes have protected themselves from insect bites with essential oils. Essential oils have properties that mask your scent and carbon (when you exhale) from insects.
This is why we created BuzzPatch. These stickers are the perfect blend of all the top essential oils used to repel mosquitoes and other biting bugs. BuzzPatch is the perfect accessory for any outfit and any day of play.
The best part is kids like to wear them: who doesn’t love stickers? BuzzPatch goes on clothes instead of skin, which means kids will have fun adding them to their clothes and forget they’re wearing them. BuzzPatch is gentle on skin but tough on bugs.
Lasting eight hours, these brilliant patches help kids enjoy a full day of play and stay bite-free from sunup to sundown.
How To Protect Your Home From Bugs
While so far we have gone over items to keep your children and yourself safe, there are also steps you should take to keep your home protected as well.
For one, ensure all screens are tight and rip and tear-free. Even the smallest rip or hole is enough to let in the bugs, and you and your family will be at risk for bites.
Second, ensure your grass and garden are maintained and well-manicured. Insects, even mosquitoes, will hide in the grass during the day. If your grass is long, this is the perfect place for them to lie in and wait until it’s time to eat. A lawn that is cared for and sees regular use will deter insects from hiding here.
Lastly, keep stagnant water and rain gutters clear from your home. Pools of untouched water and debris in gutters provide homes but are also ideal breeding areas for insects. The last thing we want is to become home to all the insect eggs.
How To Treat Bites and Feel Alright
As much as we try to prevent every bump, bruise, and scratch, things happen. Try as we might, bugs will bite us or our kids, and everyone will go crazy from being itchy.
When bites happen, we need to be ready to treat them quickly and swiftly, so we can get back to normal. Even if we don’t get bit, we will still go crazy keeping our kids from scratching, so a treatment that works is key.
Next, we will break down the best treatments to relieve the itch and what you need to know about them.
Option One: Anti Itch Cream
Anti-itch creams are one of the more popular options for relieving the itching sensation. But do you know what is in these creams to make them stop the itch?
The answer is hydrocortisone. It is the name for cortisol, which is a hormone that helps reduce redness, swelling, and itching sensations on the skin.
This type of treatment can come in the form of creams, ointments, and sprays. It is generally available over-the-counter (OTC), but in some cases of extreme reactions, it can be prescribed by a medical professional.
The biggest thing here to remember is that many of these treatments can only be used on older children and cannot be used in sensitive areas of the body. This means any bites on the face or near folds in the skin will not be helped with these remedies. It also means that bites on younger kids will go untreated by these medicines.
What Else Can Be Done?
Other treatments will be necessary for kids and babies when anti-itch creams don’t work. Even those of our young ones who can safely use these creams won’t keep them on their skin.
We fight them to apply the creams, then turn around, and they are wiping them off. Even if they don’t intentionally wipe them off, their activities and playtime will often do this for them.
So we have to find other ways to remedy these bites that will have a longer-lasting effect.
Oatmeal Baths
Oatmeal baths are the perfect first step in helping to calm the skin after a bite. Cleaning the skin and washing away any residual saliva and proteins on the top of the skin are important steps in getting relief.
For small kids, especially babies, this is a really necessary process. Since many OTC medicines you buy in pharmacies aren’t safe for toddlers and babies, oatmeal baths are one of the only ways to provide them relief.
We Can Do You One Better: Magic Meets Science
Instead of reaching for creams and sprays that you have to keep applying over and over, reach for MagicPatch next time you find a bite.
Our patches are scientifically engineered to lay over your bites and relieve the itch for up to seven days. The grid technology on the patch works by pulling the saliva and proteins up from the lower layers of skin to the top.
Once the salivas are on top of the skin, the itching sensation fades. This means you and your little ones are provided relief faster, and that relief lasts for good.
The patch is also water and sweat-proof, so you won’t need to reapply between baths or play.
Enjoy the Day
While creams can provide relief, they aren’t the only, or probably best, solution. Our patches and stickers provide lasting relief that doesn’t wear away with use.
We are confident that our products are the best options for you and your family and will keep you safe in all the outdoor play you may have scheduled.
Our products, coupled with all our tips and tricks for safe play, are the perfect combination to keep you and the little ones bite-free for years to come.
Sources:
Hydrocortisone Topical | MedlinePlus Drug Information
Can a Mosquito Bite Through Clothing: Best Fabrics to Wear | HealthLine
Identifying Bugs and Bug Bites | WebMD
