How To Prevent Mosquito Bites In Babies?
Protecting your baby from mosquitoes is quite easy. Here are some ways to prevent mosquito bites in babies:
- Creating a physical barrier against mosquitoes is the first option to prevent mosquito bites. Experts recommend sleeping under a mosquito net if you live in a mosquito infested area. You can get a mosquito net for your baby crib as well. Use the net during the baby’s naps and nighttime sleep. Mosquito nets are effective and a safer option for delicate newborns.
- Install window screens with mosquito nets in the baby’s room. Window screens with mesh can be an excellent choice in warmer areas, where there is a need to keep the windows open.
- Prevent stagnation of water around the home, as mosquitoes breed in it, especially during the rainy season. Drain away water accumulated in stored items. Keep water tanks tightly shut to prevent the entry of mosquitoes.
- Never use mosquito coils and mosquito repellent aerosol sprays since they contain chemicals that are harmful to an infant’s lungs. Natural mosquito repellents, like eucalyptus oil, may not be safe for infants and should not be used by children below three years of age.
- Dress your baby in protective clothing when visiting an area with mosquitoes. Some research suggests that most mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors such as black, red, and blue. Light shades of green and yellow are less attractive, with white being the least attractive.
- Dress them in full sleeves and trousers. Cover the baby’s hands with mittens or gloves to prevent mosquito bites on hands. But sometimes, even preventive clothing may not be able to prevent mosquito bites. Therefore, it is good to apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin before stepping out of the house.
When To Visit A Doctor For A Baby’s Mosquito Bite?
If you notice the following symptoms after a mosquito bite, then take the baby to the doctor.
- Severe swelling for more than a day at the part of the body affected with a mosquito bite.
- Severe reddening of a large section of skin surrounding the mosquito bite.
- Blistering – formation of liquid-filled bumps.
- Bleeding and draining of liquid from the bump.
- Development of pus – yellowish liquid oozes from the mosquito bite bump.
- Swelling around the eye or eyelids in case the bite was skin around the eye.
- The baby displays swelling in the neck muscles.
- Trouble feeding, lethargy, and fever.
Prevention is always better than cure. So, it is good to prevent mosquito bites as they might lead to some health complications if not acted upon promptly.
Mosquito bites can irritate the skin and, sometimes, cause complications. The best way to avoid these complications is to prevent mosquito bites. Staying alert to any mosquito bite bumps and getting timely treatment is essential to keep the baby safe. Take precautions and stay alert when at home or outdoors where the baby could get bitten by a mosquito.
