What insects cause itchy or painful bites?

Bites of mosquitoes, chiggers (harvest mites), fleas, and bedbugs usually cause itchy, red bumps. The size of the swelling can vary from a dot to a half inch. The larger size does not mean that your child is allergic to the insect bite. Mosquito bites near the eye usually cause a lot of swelling for 2 days.

Signs that a bite is from a mosquito are: itchiness, a central raised dot in the swelling, a bite on skin not covered by clothing, and summertime, Infants are more likely to be bitten because they can't protect themselves. Some mosquito bites in sensitive children form hard lumps that last for months.

Fleas and bedbugs tend to bite skin under clothing. Flea bites often turn into little blisters in young children.

Bites from horseflies, deerflies, gnats, fire ants, harvester ants, blister beetles, and centipedes usually cause a painful, red bump. Fire ant bites change to blisters or pimples within a few hours.

How can I take care of my child?

• Itchy insect bites

  Apply calamine lotion or a baking soda paste to the area of the bite. If the itch is severe (as with chiggers), apply nonprescription 1% hydrocortisone cream four times a day. Another way to reduce the itch is to apply firm, sharp, direct, steady pressure to the bite for 10 seconds. A fingernail, pen cap, or other object can be used. Encourage your child not to pick at the bites or they will leave marks.

• Painful insect bites

  Rub the area of the bite with a cotton ball soaked in meat-tenderizer solution for 20 minutes. (Avoid the area around the eyes.) This will relieve the pain.

  If you don't have any meat tenderizer, mix a paste of baking soda and water. Put cold, moist compresses or ice on the area help. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.

How can I help prevent bites?

• Mosquitoes and chiggers

  Many of these bites can be prevented by using an insect repellent before your child goes outdoors or into the woods. Always use repellents for infants less than 1 year old because they cannot bat the insects away.

• Bedbugs

  The bed and baseboards can be sprayed with 1% malathion, but young children must be kept away from the area because this substance is somewhat poisonous. You may need to call in an exterminator.

• Fleas

  Usually you will find the fleas on your dog or cat. If the bites started after a move into a different home, the fleas are probably from the previous owner's pets. Fleas can often be removed by bringing a dog or cat inside the house for 2 hours to collect the fleas (they prefer living on the dog or cat to living in the carpet) and then applying flea powder or soap to the animal outdoors. Careful daily vacuuming will usually capture any remaining fleas.

What kind of insect repellent should my child use?

There are two main types of insect repellent. Repellent used on the skin and repellent put on clothing. Repellent used on the skin contains a powerful ingredient called DEET. Repellent used on clothing uses an ingredient called permethrin to repel insects. Both are useful for preventing bites.

Insect repellents for skin

DEET

DEET is a very effective ingredient used to repel mosquitos, ticks and other bugs. When using a product containing DEET, follow these precautions:

• The percentage of DEET in a product tells you how long it lasts, not how strong it is. Use a repellent with 30% DEET for children and teens. 30% DEET protects for 6 hours. Use products containing 10% DEET if you only need protection for 2 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics has approved the use of 30% DEET or less for children over 2 months of age.
• Do not use products with DEET in children younger than 2 months old. Breast-feeding women may use DEET.
• Do not put too much repellent on. A total of 3 or 4 drops can protect the whole body.
• Only put the repellent on exposed areas of skin. Be careful not to get DEET on clothing. DEET can damage clothing made of synthetic fibers, plastics (for example, eye glasses), and leather. DEET can be used on cotton clothing.
• Do not put DEET on the eyes or mouth. Don't put DEET on your child's hands if your child sucks his thumb or fingers.
• Don't put any repellent on skin that is sunburned or has a rash because the DEET is more easily absorbed in these areas.
• Remember to wash the repellent off with soap and water when your child returns indoors.

Other skin repellents

• Two new insect repellents are available: Picaridin (from Cutter) is as effective as 10% DEET. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is as effective as 10% DEET, but it is not approved for children under 3 years old. Both picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus can safely be used on skin or clothing.

Insect repellent for clothing: Permethrin

Permethrin is an insect repellent that is sprayed onto clothes. Duranon, Permanone, and Congo Creek Tick Spray are examples of products that contain permethrin. They are good for repelling mosquitoes and ticks. Apply permethrin to shirt sleeves, pants cuffs, shoes, and hats. You can also put it on other outdoor items (mosquito screen, sleeping bags). Do not put permethrin on skin because it does not work well on skin.

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• A bite looks infected (red streaks, increased tenderness).

Call during office hours if:

• Itching or pain is severe after treatment.
• You have other questions or concerns.