Tiny toes covered in mud, sticky fingers from melting ice cream, and adorable smiles that stretch from ear to ear... when the weather gets warm, there's just about nothing better than fun in the sun with your little one.
From the never-ending plea to "Push me higher!" on the swing to long games of tag at the park, playing outdoors with our kids is not only a blast, but it's an excellent way to bond and make memories that'll last a lifetime.
Arguably the best season of them all, summer sets the scene for pure bliss. Clear blue skies without a rain cloud in sight, freshly mowed luscious green grass, giggling kids, and the sound of burgers sizzling on the grill is the epitome of the season as sweet as honey.
With a cold glass of sweet iced tea in one hand and your little one's favorite stuffed animal in the other, you can't help but smile as your baby meets new friends on the playground.
A picturesque moment that's sure to become a core memory, your child's laughter is contagious, and you can't help but chuckle at their silly ways.
A Swarm That Does Harm
But then it happens…
It starts with a wispy buzz in your ear and a loud "OUCH!" before ending with a sound-defying cry that's so loud, you're almost certain it could shatter glass.
You quickly scurry over to your little one in a great big panic, bracing yourself for a broken bone or bloody nose. To your surprise, the affected area is nothing more than a mosquito bite. Phew!
While a toddler tantrum over a bug bite may seem a bit much, put yourself in their tiny shoes for a moment.
To a young child who is still fairly new to the world, a mosquito can look like something straight out of a Stephen King novel. And despite their best effort to get away from the unbelievably huge scary insect, the mosquito still manages to land on their skin before going in for the bite.
After scooping up your teary-eyed child from the playground, you bring them home where you cover and smother them from head to toe in kisses and get to work on treating the boo-boo.
Why Is It Important To Treat a Mosquito Bite?
A bug bite is an itchy boo-boo. And just like any boo-boo, a little TLC is key in helping it to heal sooner rather than later. But speeding up the healing process isn't the only reason why it's so important to remedy your child's mosquito bite.
You see, mosquito bites itch — like a lot. So naturally, this uncomfortable itchiness causes kids to scratch. While scratching those itchy red bumps may provide some quick relief, your child can easily break the skin or reopen the bite.
Seeing as kids often have dirt under their fingernails (mud pies, anyone?), scratching a mosquito bite is like a one-way ticket for dirt to enter the open wound. And when this happens, you'll have much more to worry about than just an itchy bug bite…
Dirt from under the nails can lead to staph, strep, and other bacterial infections. Plus, scratching can result in an uptick of inflammation at the itchy bump site resulting in an even more severe case of the itchies.
So, why is it so important to treat your little one's itchy ouchie post haste, you ask?
Simply put, without treating your child's mosquito bite, there's a higher risk that they'll scratch, which can result in a longer healing time, more pain, and more tears.
Help your kid flip their frown upside down. The moment you notice a mosquito bite,it’s time to take action.
What’s the Best Way To Treat a Bite?
If you catch a skeeter landing on your child, use your hand to sweep it away and off the skin. Then, clean the bite well with soap and water before grabbing a cold compress to soothe the area.
Treating a mosquito bite with an ice pack helps reduce swelling and decrease itchiness. Don't apply ice directly to your kid's sensitive skin — this can cause frostbite. Instead, use a cold compress or simply wrap an ice cube in a washcloth first.
The Classic Home Remedies
Some of the most famous home remedies include:
- Apple cider vinegar: this reduces swelling and disinfects the spot.
- Toothpaste: this works courtesy of menthol.
- Aloe Vera: a gel with anti-inflammatory properties.
The problem with these: apple cider vinegar often smells deeply unpleasant, and toothpaste and aloe vera are sticky, which is an immediate "no" for most kids.
The Best Solution to Stopping the Itch: MagicPatch
Once the swelling goes down a bit, apply MagicPatch directly to the bug bite (just like a bandaid). Count to 30 seconds to one minute and your little one should begin to feel relief from the itch.
Haven't heard of MagicPatch? Well, you're in for a treat! These revolutionary itch relief patches are truly the bee's knees and should be in every parent's toolkit.
The world's #1 all-natural, non-spray, non-chemical magical relief from itches and bites, these patches are the over-the-counter product you can count on. When lovingly placed on top of an itchy bug bite, our scientifically engineered Grid-Relief Technology gently lifts the skin to help drain the lymphatic system of the biochemicals that cause the icky itch sensation.
Each colorful sticker lasts for up to seven days. Plus, they're much easier to pack on vacation than huge bottles of hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or any other type of anti-itch cream.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch Like Crazy?
When a mosquito lands on your child, the icky insect will quickly pierce the skin using a special mouthpart to suck blood. While drinking the blood, the mosquito will inject some of its saliva directly into the skin to prevent blood clotting.
Once the mosquito is done eating, it will buzz away, leaving nothing behind but its saliva. This is when the body takes action and goes into high alert.
You see, the mosquito's saliva is a foreign substance, so it naturally triggers an immune response.
When this happens, the body releases a chemical called histamine to help the body's immune cells flow freely toward the site of the bite. It is this histamine that causes itching, inflammation, and swelling.
Worse Than the Big, Bad Bite
Some children have only a mild reaction to bug bites. Others, however, can have allergic reactions to the mosquito bite allergy. Symptoms of severe allergic reactions include nausea, fever, and hives. Contact your healthcare provider or MD pronto. Those with immune system disorders are considered high-risk.
Also, watch for signs of more dangerous conditions. Mosquitoes are perhaps most famous for spreading Malaria and Yellow Fever. But did you know that they spread conditions like dengue fever, West Nile Virus, and Chikungunya?
Known as skeeter syndrome, if your child is allergic to the buzzy bugs, a large area of soreness, redness, and swelling can occur following a bite. In most cases, this can be treated at home.
Although quite rare, some kids are highly allergic to mosquito bites and, in severe cases, may experience breathing trouble after getting bitten. This is a medical emergency and requires an immediate trip to the hospital.
What Are the Best Home Remedies To Prevent Itchy Bug Bites?
Want to keep your child itch-free?
Prevention is KEY (and not just for disease control).
The Best Solution to Mosquito Bites: BuzzPatch
Before letting your little one play outside, give them a sticker. But not just any sticker — a BuzzPatch sticker!
Made with you and your kid in mind, BuzzPatch is the world's #1 all-natural, non-spray tool to protect you and your family against itchy mosquito bites.
Super easy to apply and mess-free, our fantastic repellent patches are infused with a highly effective, powerful blend of kid-friendly essential oils that have been used for hundreds of years to repel mosquitos.
Finally, an all-natural way to keep the hungry insects away!
To protect your child from itchy bug bites, simply peel off a fun BuzzPatch sticker before placing it on your little one's clothing nearest to the exposed skin. That's it.
No smelly sprays, no sticky lotions, and absolutely no icky chemicals. If you're like us and can't stand putting on commercial insect repellent, then our patches are for you!
While you're at it, the CDC says to get rid of any standing water and clothe your little one in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt during summer's peak hours (often, but not exclusively dawn and dusk).
Use BuzzPatch Today To Keep The Mosquitoes Away
Nobody likes getting bit by a mosquito, especially kids.
To keep your child happy and itch-free, prevention is key. Prior to going outside for fun in the sun, be sure to arm your kid with BuzzPatch — the world's best, non-spray essential shield to protect you and your family against mosquitoes.
Designed to confuse the hungry bugs by emitting a particular scent that makes kids virtually undetectable to their senses, our revolutionary repellent patches are made with all-natural, plant-based ingredients that are perfectly safe for children.
The Natural Patch Co. knows the joys and struggles of parenthood. We believe the outdoors is waiting to make memories. There's no time to be slowed down by biting bugs or itchy ouchies. That's why we created BuzzPatch!
Simply peel off a super cute sticker, apply to clothing, and enjoy the sunshine — itch-free.
Sources:
Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatment | Mosquitoes
The Best Ways to Avoid a Mosquito Bite & How to Recover Quickly | Unity Point
Skeeter syndrome | The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Control Mosquitoes Outside Your Home | CDC
Dusk to dawn activity patterns of anopheline mosquitoes in West Timor and Java, Indonesia | PubMed
