As parents, it’s our job to worry. Even when everything is going perfectly, we can still find a reason to feel nervous. When you see a raised or inflamed spot on your baby, it is natural to feel that anxiety skyrocket.
Take some deep breaths because we’re going to tell you what to do after finding bug bites on your baby.
Is There a Severe Reaction?
Since babies do not yet have a strong immune system, severe reactions can be more common than in older kids and adults. This doesn’t need to be a cause for panic, but it should make you vigilant. Keep a close eye on your baby to ensure that all they are experiencing is a red bump and possible itchiness.
Just a few of the signs to look out for are:
- The bug bite site is not improving or going away
- If the wound shows signs of infection (pus, more swelling and redness, blistering)
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting
- Hives
- Itching or rashes in other areas
- Swelling of the face or body
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to bring them to a medical professional immediately. They will be able to assess the situation and determine what to do next. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to our kids and their health.
Treat Your Child’s Bug Bite Quickly
Upon noticing your baby’s bug bite, it is best to act sooner rather than later. This can help your child to feel more comfortable in the short term, but it can also make the bite go away faster and prevent any complications.
To treat bug bites, first gently wash the bite with soap and warm water.
Once the area has been properly washed, apply a cold compress for about ten minutes. This will work to ease the discomfort and reduce swelling and inflammation. If the bite is on your child’s leg or arm, elevating the area can also help heal the bite faster.
After the initial treatment, continue to wash the area occasionally with soap and warm water. Other than that, you should just keep an eye on your child. Until the bite goes away on its own, you can take a few steps to help your baby feel better.
How To Help Your Baby Feel More Comfortable
Now that the bite itself has been tended to, it is just a matter of easing any discomfort your baby could be feeling. Itchiness is an incredibly common side effect of bug bites. You will want to soothe your little one’s skin, especially since babies have incredibly sensitive skin.
Some babies will be more prone to skin issues than others, but it’s best to avoid harsh chemicals. Unfortunately, this leaves many parents wondering what natural alternatives are out there to help their kids. The Natural Patch Co. saw this dilemma and decided to do something about it.
The Natural Patch Co. has natural patches for a wide variety of purposes, but our MagicPatch works wonders on discomfort from itchiness. Simply put a patch over your baby’s itchy bug bite, and the scientifically engineered Grid-Relief Technology gets right to work. Before you know it, your baby will be feeling better with this all-natural solution.
If your kids are experiencing other allergy symptoms such as sniffles, itchy eyes, and more, the AllergyPatch Allergy Relief Sticker offers a natural and side-effect-free solution.
Which Bug Bit Your Baby?
The exact way you get rid of the bugs will vary depending on what kind of bug you are dealing with. If you did not see the bites occur or have not seen any bugs around, you might be able to determine the bug by looking at the bite sites.
Do the bites appear fairly large and raised? That could be a mosquito’s doing. Meanwhile, an itchy and raised bump with either a dark or clear center could indicate bed bugs. Again, doing your research will help you deal with the issue quickly and completely.
Once you know that your baby feels as comfortable as possible, many parents’ next instinct is to make sure this does not happen again. We may want to go full revenge movie storyline and wipe out every last bug on the planet, but sadly, this isn’t possible. Even the annoying mosquito serves an important ecological role.
So, let’s discuss your other options:
How To Protect Your Baby From Bugs
It’s a new day, so it might as well be one that is free of any and all bug bites. Both in our homes and in the great outdoors, there is an abundance of insects who might see our families as a quick meal. This can be an overwhelming prospect, but there are a lot of effective, all-natural ways to fend off these critters.
Not every solution will work for every bug, so it is best to consider exactly what you are trying to fend off. Luckily, there are a few methods of deterring bugs that are fairly standard across the board.
First of all, bugs need an entrance to get into your home. Make sure that there are not any spots in your house that would allow bugs to get in. For instance, windows should have screens, repair any cracks around the house, and do not leave food out. By performing these steps thoroughly and completely, you can ensure that fewer bugs get inside.
Unfortunately, even the most diligent parents could miss an open spot from time to time. That is why it is so important to have other means of keeping bugs away. At this point, you might have to do some more specific work to deter certain bugs from entering your home.
How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Babies
We might often associate mosquitoes with a trip outside, but they can easily find their way into our homes. Especially during the summer, these bugs become especially active and are looking for blood, aka their nutrients. Mosquitoes are at their most active from dawn to dusk, so it’s wise to keep your kids inside during that time.
Mosquitoes also frequent standing water. As a result, you are likely to notice a horrifying amount of mosquitoes near ponds, swimming pools, and more. If a spot is teeming with mosquitoes, it is best to avoid it.
If you plan to stay outside or spend the day somewhere that mosquitoes find tempting, there are still some precautions you can take. Cover up your body as much as possible since mosquitoes are more likely to bite exposed skin. Unfortunately, these bloodsuckers are also able to get through more thin types of fabric.
Thankfully, some thicker kinds of fabric will keep mosquitoes at bay. For instance, denim, velvet, and tight-knit wool are all too thick for a mosquito to bite through. Wearing heavy wool might not be anyone’s idea of comfortable attire on a scaldingly hot summer’s day, so we have our best option here:
All-Natural, Baby-Friendly Mosquito Repellent
At The Natural Patch Co., we are families familiar with fighting frustrating bugs. We created the BuzzPatch, an all-natural mosquito repellent that comes in the shape of a fun sticker. Kiddos zero to two only need one of these stickers on their clothes for the essential oils to cast a protective glow.
Feeling jealous of your baby’s BuzzPatch? There’s no need! Adults can wear BuzzPatches too. Sport two to four patches, and you will feel as safe as a swaddled baby!
Happy Baby, Happy Family
As parents, we do our best day in and day out. Frankly, it is completely exhausting. We just want the best for our kids, but there are still times when things do not work out as planned. A bug bite is far from the end of the world, but we want our kids to avoid as much discomfort as possible.
Preventing mosquito bites on your baby is vital. Mosquito bites are notoriously uncomfortable, but mosquitoes can also carry multiple dangerous diseases. By being vigilant and taking precautions, we can help our whole family feel more comfortable.
We may be parents, but we are also people. We can’t see everything at every moment, no matter how hard we may try. If your baby has some bug bites, now you know what to fix for next time. Everything is a learning experience, so remember to be patient with both yourself and your children.
We love our kids more than anything, so any bugs who threaten them immediately become enemy number one. By helping your baby feel better immediately, keeping an eye on the bites, and lowering the risk of this happening again, we show those bugs who’s boss.
Sources:
Newborn Skin 101 | Hopkins Medicine
Can a Mosquito Bite Through Clothing: Best Fabrics To Wear | Healthline
Mosquito Bites on Babies: Identifying, Treating, Preventing | Healthline
