Mosquito Bites On Children: Should You Worry?

Our kids are very curious by nature and fascinated by all the creepy crawly critters they come in contact with — including the little bloodsucking vampires we all know (and can’t stand) as mosquitoes. 

Many parents view these annoying buzzing pests as nothing more than a summertime nuisance, but believe it or not: the mosquito could be considered one of the most dangerous insects on the planet!

Yes, it’s true— mosquitoes are responsible for more human death than any other living creature as they carry some seriously scary diseases. 

That being said, not all mosquitoes are created equal. In fact, you might be surprised to know that there are more than 3,000 recognized mosquito species — all of them slightly different in their own way — and around 170 of them are found in the U.S. Of that group of 170, only a small handful actually have the ability to transmit disease. 

So, mosquito bites on children — when should we worry, and what’s the best way to stop the infamous itch? We’ll tell you. Read on to learn everything you need to know about these pesky bloodsuckers, including when a bite is a cause for concern. 

Kids and Mosquito Bites: What You Need To Know 

Did you know that only the female mosquito has the mouthparts to bite and suck up blood? While the males feast on sweet sugary plant nectar, the females rely on blood not only for nourishment but also so they can develop eggs in order to reproduce. 

These hungry female mosquitoes track us down by detecting exhaled carbon dioxide, body odors, and movement with their antennas. Once they’ve located their victim, the mosquito will stab two tubes into the skin with a special part of their mouth called a proboscis.

Through one of the tubes, the mosquito injects her saliva to prevent the blood from clotting. Through the other tube, the mosquito sucks up the blood, which goes directly into her body. 

What Causes the Infamous Itchy Bite?

Good question!

When a pesky bloodsucker injects her saliva into the skin, the victim’s body recognizes it as a foreign substance. This triggers an immune system response in an attempt to flush out the intruder. 

The swelling commonly found around a bug bite is caused by histamine, which is naturally produced by our immune system. 

Histamine increases blood flow and our white blood cell count around the affected area, which is why itching, inflammation, redness, and swelling at the site of the bite are so common!

What Do Symptoms of a Mosquito Bite Look Like In Children? 

When your tiny tot gets bit by a mosquito, chances are there’s no cause to worry. Here are some of the most common symptoms kids typically experience when bitten by a mosquito: 

• Red bumps (a raised area where the bug bit): These relentlessly itchy red bumps may appear hours or days after a mosquito feasted on your kiddo. The bumps could last for days. 
• Itchy skin
• Irritation 
• Swelling

An itchy mosquito bite can drive young children to tears. To avoid the melt-down, we love using our Magic Patch Itch Relief to make the itch go away instantly!

All you have to do is tear off a relief patch, place it over the itchy area (just like a bandage), and your favorite little human should feel relief from the itch within 30-60 seconds. 

Allergic Reactions, Disease, and Emergency Symptoms: Time To Worry! 

Reactions from the annoying winged pests can vary from kid to kid. Although tiny red bumps may appear, some children can experience the following:

• Large blistering lesions
• Hives
• Anaphylaxis: Although rare with mosquito bites, anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition characterized by throat swelling, wheezing, and/or clammy skin. If your little one displays any of these scary symptoms after receiving a mosquito bite, seek out professional medical care immediately.  
• Disease: Mosquitoes can carry serious blood-borne diseases. Get your kiddo to the doctor right away if they suddenly have a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, muscle jerks, tremors, or seizures, as well as nausea or vomiting. 

Protect Your Kids and Remember — Prevention Is KEY 

Since there’s no vaccine or special medication to protect against diseases, prevention is extremely important. Keep your little ones protected by preventing mosquitoes from biting them in the first place. Not sure how? Try our non-toxic and DEET-free mosquito repellent patch — BuzzPatch. 

Here at The Natural Patch Co., we understand the importance of shielding our little ones from mosquitoes. However, most insect repellents are loaded with icky chemicals and harsh ingredients — not exactly something we want to put on their growing bodies! That’s why we created our revolutionary mosquito repellent patch made with all-natural ingredients and absolutely no DEET. 

Using the most effective but safe essential oil combo designed to confuse mosquitoes and hide your kids from their senses, BuzzPatch is not only extremely easy to apply but environmentally friendly!

Source:

Is DEET Bad for You (and Your Kids)? | Cleveland Clinic

Mosquito bites - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic

Anaphylaxis in Children | Cedars-Sinai