Mosquito bites are itchy and painful. But most of the bites are not serious and get better within a few hours or days. However, occasionally, they could get infected and cause allergic reactions and illnesses. For example, dengue is a viral illness that spreads through mosquito bites.
To prevent that, you should know how to identify the signs of a mosquito bite on a baby and ways to prevent the baby from being bitten.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Mosquito Bite In Babies?
A baby bitten by a mosquito usually present the following signs;
- Red, swollen bumps, often appearing in clusters.
- The baby scratches the bumps a lot. The infant may also appear to be in discomfort while itching.
- The baby cries while rubbing a swollen, itchy bump.
- A large red patch with a raised bump at its center.
- A red bump on the skin, with its surrounding area swollen and reddened.
- Swelling on the face, with the skin reddened, when the mosquito bites on the face.
- A large lesion on the skin, which stays for several days. It mostly happens when the baby’s body displays an allergic reaction to the mosquito bite.
Symptoms are also most likely to emerge in peak mosquito breeding seasons. If a mosquito bites your baby, the first thing to do is reduce the irritation.
What Are The Home Remedies For Mosquito Bites In Babies?
You can observe the following measures to relieve pain and itchiness caused by a mosquito bite on a baby:
- Keep the affected area ventilated. Heat and congestion can further irritate the mosquito bite and cause more itchiness.
- Use calamine lotion, which is safe for first-aid in case of mosquito bites. The cooling effect of the lotion soothes irritated skin and makes the baby less prone to itching. Before applying, wash the skin with baby-safe antibacterial soap. Pat dry skin and then apply the lotion. Only use pure calamine lotion with no additives or get a calamine lotion, especially made for babies.
- Baby lotion. Although they are not made to treat mosquito bites, the compounds in them help soothe skin irritation and minimize the itching. Baby lotions are a safe remedy when dealing with mosquito bites on the baby’s face, where the skin is the most delicate.
- Put on the mittens. Mittens are baby gloves that keep the hands warm. Putting them on will prevent the baby from scratching the bite area. Avoid using mittens when there are mosquito bites on the hands or palms.
Application of honey, garlic paste, or vanilla essence on the mosquito bite may also soothe the bite area. However, there is no scientific evidence backing these remedies or how they affect the baby’s skin.
Mosquito bites can also cause problems other than bumps or redness on the skin. So, the first step is to try and prevent mosquito bites in babies.
