Mosquito bites in children are more likely to occur than in adults since children tend to be more active outdoors. Several kinds of mosquitoes exist, but only three, Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes, are responsible for human bites and are clinically significant (1). Female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite since they need blood as a source of iron and protein to nurture their eggs (2). Mosquito bites are generally harmless but can occasionally induce allergic reactions or cause mosquito-borne diseases in children. Read on to know more about mosquito bites, potential allergic reactions, and preventative strategies for kids.

Symptoms of Mosquito Bites in Children

When a female mosquito punctures the skin to suck blood, it mixes saliva into our bloodstream. The chemicals in the mosquito’s saliva prevents the blood from clotting and causes an immune response that leads to redness, itching, and swelling (3). According to American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) this contact between the skin and tip of mosquito’s mouth should be for at least six seconds for any reaction to occur (3). Few of the common symptoms of mosquito bite include the following ( 2, 4).

Red bumps (raised area where mosquito bit): These itchy red bumps may appear hours or days after a mosquito bite and may last for a few days. Itchy or irritated skin Swelling: When a bite occurs on the upper face, it may cause swelling around the eyes that may last for a couple of days. Children between the ages of one to five years may experience swelling that is large and pink in colour.

Allergic Reactions and Emergency Symptoms in Children

Allergic reactions from a mosquito bite can vary among children. Usually, people who have become desensitized (less sensitive or insensitive to mosquito bite) may not show any observable reaction (1). According to AAAAI, young children may not often react at all to the mosquito bites for the same reason (3). Although, tiny red bumps may appear in some people. Whereas, others (sensitized) may sometimes present serious reactions to mosquito bites. These reactions may include the following ( 2, 3).

Blistering lesions Larger hives (a rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely, sometimes with dangerous swelling, caused by an allergic reaction) around the bite along with fever or joint swelling Anaphylaxis: Although rare with mosquito bites, anaphylaxis is a life threatening condition characterized by hives, throat swelling, faintness or wheezing.

In many cases, mosquito bites can cause an infection or a disease. You should seek medical attention if your child presents the following symptoms (2).

Symptoms of anaphylaxis Fever Headache Bodyache Rashes Nausea Eye irritation Fatigue or tiredness

Risk Factors for Mosquito Bites

Body odor, heat, light, sweat, carbon dioxide and lactic acid attract female mosquitoes (3). Few factors make people more prone to mosquito bites ( 2, 4).

Males are more prone than females Warm body temperatures Dark colored clothing (especially for the mosquitoes that bite during the daytime) Perfumed products including soaps and shampoos Breath odors Sweat Blood type: A study showed that people with blood group O attract more Aedes albopictus mosquitoes than A, B, and AB blood group (5).

Complications

Mosquitoes act as vectors (carriers) of several diseases including ( 6, 7)

Chikungunya Malaria Dengue Zika virus West Nile virus Yellow fever Encephalitis

In addition, complications may arise due to mosquito bites and other insect bites. These can include the following (1, 4).

Skeeter syndrome: Some children may develop Skeeter syndrome following a mosquito bite. It is a rare inflammatory reaction to the mosquito’s saliva. The symptoms can include a large area of swelling, redness, heat, and itching or pain (8).

Impetigo: It is a contagious bacterial skin infection that most commonly affect children between the ages of two to five years (9). It is caused by picking and scratching the itchy skin at the site of the bite. It can result in soft scabs, pus, or sores.

Cellulitis: This condition is also a bacterial infection that spreads to the skin. Symptoms can include redness, pain, heat, swelling on the skin along with blisters or bruises (10).

Lymphangitis: This bacterial infection can spread to the lymph channels. The most common symptom is a red line on the skin that goes up the arm or leg. In some cases, the infection may spread into the bloodstream, causing sepsis in more severe cases.

Treatment for Mosquito Bites In Children

Usually, a local reaction from mosquito bites resolve on their own within 10 days (1). In addition, if symptoms of anaphylaxis appear, seek immediate medical treatment. However, mosquito-borne diseases may require medical attention. Following tips can help relieve the symptoms in your child when the reaction is localized ( 2, 3).

Ice pack: Elevating the affected area and applying ice packs can help reduce swelling and pain.

Cleaning the blisters: Cleaning the blisters with soap and water without breaking them will help reduce itching and infection.

Over-the-counter lotion: Applying an over-the counter lotion to the affected area can also help to reduce symptoms.

Topical steroids or oral antihistamines: In cases where itching persists, topical steroids, anti-itch creams, and oral antihistamines can be recommended.

Loratadine, an antihistamine has been shown to reduce skin reaction symptoms, especially in children (11). Use of hydrocortisone cream is not recommended in children. Overuse of anesthetics or antihistamines should be avoided in children as it may cause side effects over a longer period of time.

Autoinjectable epinephrine: Incase your child has been diagnosed with insect anaphylaxis, doctors can recommend carrying autoinjectable epinephrine.

Epinephrine works by reversing the symptoms of anaphylaxis. For example, a person’s blood pressure plummets during an anaphylactic reaction because the blood vessels relax and dilate – epinephrine causes the blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure.

Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites in Children

You may also try the following home remedies to relieve itching and swelling. However, if your child shows other symptoms such as fever, blisters, rashes, bodyache, or nausea, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Preventing Mosquito Bites in Children

Prevention is better than cure! You may follow these tips to keep your child safe from mosquito bites (13).

1. Getting rid of mosquito breeding areas

Remove water (standing) in old tires, toys, buckets, rain gutters, plastic covers, flower pots, or any other container. Keep bird baths and swimming pools clean.

For mosquito larvae, use advised methods to control their growth. For adult mosquitoes, use recommended insecticides.

3. Using mosquito barriers

 Keep your doors, windows, and open spaces covered or closed with mesh. Cover children’s beds with mosquito nets.

4. Avoiding mosquito bites

Keep your child safe by making them wear clothes that cover normally exposed body parts such as pants, full sleeve clothes, and socks. Stay indoors when mosquito-borne diseases are at peak. Use approved mosquito repellents such as DEET (diethyltoluamide). Make sure to read instructions and precautions carefully when using in your child’s room as these repellents may cause eye irritation dry skin, or rash.

When to see a Doctor

Seek immediate medical help if your child experiences following symptoms (4).

The redness or red streak is spreading along with fever. Your child looks sick. Pain or redness is spreading 24 hours after the bite. Pain and redness has increased 48 hours after the bite. Fever Sweeling is getting larger or filled with pus and has no relief from antibiotic ointment. Severe itching that hasn’t improved in 24 hours after the use of steroid cream. Symptoms of anaphylaxis appear such as faintiness, dizziness, swollen throat, and fever.

Mosquito bites are relatively harmless. However, in some cases they may cause allergic reactions. Protecting your child is the best defence. If your child shows symptoms of a mosquito bite along with fever, malaise, increasing pain, puffiness, or redness, make sure to seek medical advice. Have any useful experience to share on mosquito bites, feel free to share it in the comments below.

References:

title: “7 Remedies To Treat And Prevent Mosquito Bites On Kids” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-30” author: “Ricky Pina”

Mosquito bites in children are more likely to occur than in adults since children tend to be more active outdoors. Several kinds of mosquitoes exist, but only three, Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes, are responsible for human bites and are clinically significant (1). Female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite since they need blood as a source of iron and protein to nurture their eggs (2). Mosquito bites are generally harmless but can occasionally induce allergic reactions or cause mosquito-borne diseases in children. Read on to know more about mosquito bites, potential allergic reactions, and preventative strategies for kids.

Symptoms of Mosquito Bites in Children

When a female mosquito punctures the skin to suck blood, it mixes saliva into our bloodstream. The chemicals in the mosquito’s saliva prevents the blood from clotting and causes an immune response that leads to redness, itching, and swelling (3). According to American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) this contact between the skin and tip of mosquito’s mouth should be for at least six seconds for any reaction to occur (3). Few of the common symptoms of mosquito bite include the following ( 2, 4).

Red bumps (raised area where mosquito bit): These itchy red bumps may appear hours or days after a mosquito bite and may last for a few days. Itchy or irritated skin Swelling: When a bite occurs on the upper face, it may cause swelling around the eyes that may last for a couple of days. Children between the ages of one to five years may experience swelling that is large and pink in colour.

Allergic Reactions and Emergency Symptoms in Children

Allergic reactions from a mosquito bite can vary among children. Usually, people who have become desensitized (less sensitive or insensitive to mosquito bite) may not show any observable reaction (1). According to AAAAI, young children may not often react at all to the mosquito bites for the same reason (3). Although, tiny red bumps may appear in some people. Whereas, others (sensitized) may sometimes present serious reactions to mosquito bites. These reactions may include the following ( 2, 3).

Blistering lesions Larger hives (a rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely, sometimes with dangerous swelling, caused by an allergic reaction) around the bite along with fever or joint swelling Anaphylaxis: Although rare with mosquito bites, anaphylaxis is a life threatening condition characterized by hives, throat swelling, faintness or wheezing.

In many cases, mosquito bites can cause an infection or a disease. You should seek medical attention if your child presents the following symptoms (2).

Symptoms of anaphylaxis Fever Headache Bodyache Rashes Nausea Eye irritation Fatigue or tiredness

Risk Factors for Mosquito Bites

Body odor, heat, light, sweat, carbon dioxide and lactic acid attract female mosquitoes (3). Few factors make people more prone to mosquito bites ( 2, 4).

Males are more prone than females Warm body temperatures Dark colored clothing (especially for the mosquitoes that bite during the daytime) Perfumed products including soaps and shampoos Breath odors Sweat Blood type: A study showed that people with blood group O attract more Aedes albopictus mosquitoes than A, B, and AB blood group (5).

Complications

Mosquitoes act as vectors (carriers) of several diseases including ( 6, 7)

Chikungunya Malaria Dengue Zika virus West Nile virus Yellow fever Encephalitis

In addition, complications may arise due to mosquito bites and other insect bites. These can include the following (1, 4).

Skeeter syndrome: Some children may develop Skeeter syndrome following a mosquito bite. It is a rare inflammatory reaction to the mosquito’s saliva. The symptoms can include a large area of swelling, redness, heat, and itching or pain (8).

Impetigo: It is a contagious bacterial skin infection that most commonly affect children between the ages of two to five years (9). It is caused by picking and scratching the itchy skin at the site of the bite. It can result in soft scabs, pus, or sores.

Cellulitis: This condition is also a bacterial infection that spreads to the skin. Symptoms can include redness, pain, heat, swelling on the skin along with blisters or bruises (10).

Lymphangitis: This bacterial infection can spread to the lymph channels. The most common symptom is a red line on the skin that goes up the arm or leg. In some cases, the infection may spread into the bloodstream, causing sepsis in more severe cases.

Treatment for Mosquito Bites In Children

Usually, a local reaction from mosquito bites resolve on their own within 10 days (1). In addition, if symptoms of anaphylaxis appear, seek immediate medical treatment. However, mosquito-borne diseases may require medical attention. Following tips can help relieve the symptoms in your child when the reaction is localized ( 2, 3).

Ice pack: Elevating the affected area and applying ice packs can help reduce swelling and pain.

Cleaning the blisters: Cleaning the blisters with soap and water without breaking them will help reduce itching and infection.

Over-the-counter lotion: Applying an over-the counter lotion to the affected area can also help to reduce symptoms.

Topical steroids or oral antihistamines: In cases where itching persists, topical steroids, anti-itch creams, and oral antihistamines can be recommended.

Loratadine, an antihistamine has been shown to reduce skin reaction symptoms, especially in children (11). Use of hydrocortisone cream is not recommended in children. Overuse of anesthetics or antihistamines should be avoided in children as it may cause side effects over a longer period of time.

Autoinjectable epinephrine: Incase your child has been diagnosed with insect anaphylaxis, doctors can recommend carrying autoinjectable epinephrine.

Epinephrine works by reversing the symptoms of anaphylaxis. For example, a person’s blood pressure plummets during an anaphylactic reaction because the blood vessels relax and dilate – epinephrine causes the blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure.

Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites in Children

You may also try the following home remedies to relieve itching and swelling. However, if your child shows other symptoms such as fever, blisters, rashes, bodyache, or nausea, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Preventing Mosquito Bites in Children

Prevention is better than cure! You may follow these tips to keep your child safe from mosquito bites (13).

1. Getting rid of mosquito breeding areas

Remove water (standing) in old tires, toys, buckets, rain gutters, plastic covers, flower pots, or any other container. Keep bird baths and swimming pools clean.

For mosquito larvae, use advised methods to control their growth. For adult mosquitoes, use recommended insecticides.

3. Using mosquito barriers

 Keep your doors, windows, and open spaces covered or closed with mesh. Cover children’s beds with mosquito nets.

4. Avoiding mosquito bites

Keep your child safe by making them wear clothes that cover normally exposed body parts such as pants, full sleeve clothes, and socks. Stay indoors when mosquito-borne diseases are at peak. Use approved mosquito repellents such as DEET (diethyltoluamide). Make sure to read instructions and precautions carefully when using in your child’s room as these repellents may cause eye irritation dry skin, or rash.

When to see a Doctor

Seek immediate medical help if your child experiences following symptoms (4).

The redness or red streak is spreading along with fever. Your child looks sick. Pain or redness is spreading 24 hours after the bite. Pain and redness has increased 48 hours after the bite. Fever Sweeling is getting larger or filled with pus and has no relief from antibiotic ointment. Severe itching that hasn’t improved in 24 hours after the use of steroid cream. Symptoms of anaphylaxis appear such as faintiness, dizziness, swollen throat, and fever.

Mosquito bites are relatively harmless. However, in some cases they may cause allergic reactions. Protecting your child is the best defence. If your child shows symptoms of a mosquito bite along with fever, malaise, increasing pain, puffiness, or redness, make sure to seek medical advice. Have any useful experience to share on mosquito bites, feel free to share it in the comments below.

References: