If a person lives in a place like Louisiana, which is a wet area, there are all kinds of insects that a person’s child or children can be bitten by. The hot, humid climate is a perfect breeding ground for such insects as mosquitoes; however, most insect bites are not a medical threat unless a child is allergic. However, some insect bites can cause a child irritation, even if the insect is not poisonous. But there are things a person can do to make his or her child more comfortable after an insect bite or sting.
How to Treat Insect Bites
The first thing a parent or caretaker needs to do after he or she notices the child has an insect bite is to know what kind of bite or sting it is; therefore, the parent or caregiver will know the proper treatment and if there is a possibility the child could have a reaction to it. Many children are allergic to bee or wasp stings. Once the bite or sting is discovered, put a cold compress on the bite or sting to localize the effect of the bite or the sting. After the sting or bite has been localized, place some anti-itch cream, such as calamine lotion or a cream that is 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. Sometimes, however, insect bites or stings can be more severe (The Travel Doctor, 2010).
If a child has been stung by a bee, wasp, or any kind of insect that stings and he or she breaks out in hives, has trouble breathing, or swelling, he or she could be allergic to the insect. If these symptoms happen the child will need to see a doctor. The parent or caretaker could also talk to the nurse to see if the child can take an allergy medicine such as Benadryl because if the symptoms are not bad enough the Benadryl might treat the allergic reaction.
How to Prevent Insect Bites
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water; therefore, try to keep the amount of standing water in the environment to a minimum. Additionally, mosquito sprays are available in just about every store, and also keep the child covered with light colored clothes. If the child is a toddler, make sure you buy a spray that is not toxic for your child. Additionally, keep an eye on the porch area or around the exterior of the home for wasp nests.
There are other insects that can be dangerous, such as ticks. To help keep ticks and flea populations down, make sure the dogs and cats are treated with flea and tick spray because these kinds of bites can be annoying, if not dangerous. Ticks carry Lyme Disease; therefore, if you find a tick on a child, remove it very carefully and have the tick sent to a lab to be tested for Lyme’s Disease. Additionally, a tick needs to be removed very carefully to make sure the whole tick is removed. If a person tries to remove a tick from him or herself or his or her child and the whole tick does not come off, make sure to notify a physician.
Enjoy Summer Insect-free
These recommendations will not keep a person or his or her children from getting insect bites; however, the recommendations will reduce the amount of insect bites or stings. Summer is a time to be enjoyed; however, insects can make it hard to enjoy, but with the right precautions and treatments, summer time activities can be very enjoyable.
References
The Travel Doctor. (2010). Insect Bites & Stings. Retrieved on June 6, 2010
Susan Hillman - My name is Susan Hillman. I am 41-years-old and I have my Associate's in Psychology and I am currently obtaining my Bachelor's in ...
