How To Treat And Prevent Mosquito Bites In Babies?

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Mosquito bites are usually mild and heal in a few hours or days, but they can be painful and itchy. Mosquito bites in babies are common, and they are commonly mistaken for a rash. The insect can be a carrier or vector of several pathogens, leading to illnesses and inducing allergic reactions (1) (2).

To avoid this, you must know how to recognize the signs of a mosquito bite on a baby and keep the baby from getting bitten. This post covers all you need to know about mosquito bites, including recognizing them in babies and steps to protect them.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Mosquito Bite In Babies?

A baby bitten by a mosquito usually present the following signs (3):

1. Red, swollen bumps, often appearing in clusters.
2. The baby scratches the bumps a lot. The infant may also appear to be in discomfort while itching.
3. The baby cries while rubbing a swollen, itchy bump.
4. A large red patch with a raised bump at its center.
5. A red bump on the skin, with its surrounding area swollen and reddened.
6. Swelling on the face, with the skin reddened, when the mosquito bites on the face.
7. A large lesion on the skin, which stays for several days. It mostly happens when the baby’s body displays an allergic reaction to the mosquito bite.
8. Fever or excessive drowsiness, which may indicate an allergic reaction or infection.

Symptoms are also most likely to emerge in peak mosquito breeding seasons, such as monsoons or immediately after it.

If a mosquito bites your baby, the first thing to do is reduce the irritation.

What Are The Home Remedies For Mosquito Bites In Babies?

Image: IStock

You can observe the following measures to relieve pain and itchiness caused by a mosquito bite on a baby:

1. Apply an ice pack on the affected part. A mosquito bite makes the skin tender and can cause the area to feel warm. An ice pack can help provide relief. Use no more than one ice cube and give breaks while the application prevents the baby from getting chilly.

2. Keep the affected area ventilated. Heat and congestion can further irritate the mosquito bite and cause more itchiness.

3. Use calamine lotion, which is safe for first-aid in case of mosquito bites (7). The cooling effect of the lotion soothes irritated skin and makes the baby less prone to itching. Before applying, wash the skin with baby-safe antibacterial soap. Pat dry skin and then apply the lotion. Only use pure calamine lotion with no additives or get a calamine lotion, especially made for babies.

4. Baby lotion. Although they are not made to treat mosquito bites, the compounds in them help soothe skin irritation and minimize the itching. Baby lotions are a safe remedy when dealing with mosquito bites on the baby’s face, where the skin is the most delicate.

5. Put on the mittens. Mittens are baby gloves that keep the hands warm. Putting them on will prevent the baby from scratching the bite area. Avoid using mittens when there are mosquito bites on the hands or palms.

Application of honey, garlic paste, or vanilla essence on the mosquito bite may also soothe the bite area. However, there is no scientific evidence backing these natural remedies or how they affect the baby’s skin.

Quick tip

Wash the area with soap and water, and apply ice, then apply a mixture of baking soda and water on the bite. Keep it for 10 minutes, wash it off and then apply an antihistamine cream (13).

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:

1. 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 (5). You can get a mosquito net for your baby crib as well.

Image: Shutterstock

Use the net during the baby’s naps and nighttime sleep. Mosquito netting is an effective and safer option for delicate newborns.

Disclosing how she tried out small and big mosquito nets for her baby, Shaivi, a banker, blogger, and mother, says, “We feel scared to use chemicals for newborns; hence, mosquito nets come in as a safe option. I, too, invested in a baby mosquito net. While it seemed like a good option initially, soon, I realized that it was tough to monitor the baby through the net at night. My daughter loves kicking and would often kick away the net, forcing me to explore other options. So, I purchased a large, camp-size mosquito net which fitted on my double bed (i).”

Be watchful

Do not keep the net near any candles, cigarettes, or open flames as it may catch fire (5).

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Use baby-safe mosquito repellent lotions with active ingredient DEET, which is safe for babies over two months old (6). Use a lotion with a maximum DEET concentration of 50%. Avoid using vaporizer-based mosquito repellents for babies since they may affect their breathing.

5. Never use mosquito coils and repellent aerosol sprays since they contain chemicals that are harmful to an infant’s lungs. Natural mosquito repellents, such as lemon eucalyptus oil, may not be safe for infants and should not be used by children below three years of age (8).

6. 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 (8). Light shades of green and yellow are less attractive, with white being the least attractive.
   

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   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 provide adequate protection against mosquito bites. Therefore, it is good to apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin before stepping out of the house.

7. Consider using insect-repelling plants, such as citronella or lavender, in your garden to naturally deter mosquitoes.

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.

What Are The Complications Of Mosquito Bites In Babies?

The following problems arise as a direct result of a mosquito bite:

1. Mosquito-borne illness from the pathogens, such as Zika virus or West Nile virus, spread by a mosquito.  A 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report reveals that, among 1,450 babies, around one in seven infants below one experienced health issues perhaps caused by the Zika virus. In addition, a mosquito can transmit several diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever, among others. Most of these diseases are difficult to treat and may have serious consequences (9).

2. Allergic reaction to the saliva of the mosquito, which is injected into the body during a bite. A bump due to a mosquito bite is a mild reaction. However, some babies may display severe immunogenic responses such as Skeeter Skeetersyndrome, a rare allergic reaction to a mosquito bite (10). In this case, the affected part could become swollen and stays in such a state for several days.

Did you know?

Hives, swollen throat, wheezing, and loss of consciousness are some severe symptoms of an allergic reaction to mosquito bites (14).

3. Opportunistic infections: Excessive scratching of the mosquito bite can rupture the bump, enabling bacteria or other pathogens to enter the wound. Although less common, opportunistic infections due to mosquito bites such as impetigo (local bacterial skin infection), cellulitis (bacterial infection of the deeper layers of skin), and lymphangitis (bacteria enters the lymph node) can occur too (3).

Spotting complications of a mosquito bite well in time can help you get prompt medical attention and improve disease prevention.

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 (10):

• 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.

Is There A Treatment For Mosquito Bite?

Yes, and it varies. Here are the various treatment options:

1. Disease medication: Specific medicines are used to treat mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, etc. These are prescription medicines, and only a doctor can tell you about the dosage, depending on the illness.

2. Antihistamine and allergy regulators: If your baby displays severe mosquito bite allergy, then the doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine (4). Other medicines to tackle allergies include topical steroid ointments that relieve itching.

Image: IStock

Mosquito bites seldom require extensive medical attention unless they lead to severe problems. Preventing a mosquito bite can be a better way to keep your baby safe.

Infographic: When To Visit A Doctor For A Baby’s Mosquito Bite?

Although mosquito bites are not that much of a concern and do not lead to complications, you should look for certain signs and symptoms. If you notice unusual signs in your baby, take them to the doctor. In the following infographic, you will find the list of cautionary signs. Give it a read and share it with others too.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: How To Treat And Prevent Mosquito Bites In Babies?

Image: Dalle.E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Shashidhar AMD

Dr. Shashidhar is a qualified pediatrician and neonatologist with 14 years of experience in pediatrics and neonatology. Currently, he is practicing at St John's Medical College and Tiny Tots Clinic in Koramangala, Bangalore, and is a part of an accomplished team taking care of preterm and sick newborns until discharge and follow up.

Read full bio of Dr. Shashidhar A

• 
  Dr. Christina JohnsMD, MEd, FAAP Dr. Christina Johns is the vice-president of Communications at PM Pediatrics, a specialized pediatric urgent care provider. The pediatric emergency physician did her education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has over 25 years experience in the field.
  
  Dr. Christina Johns is the vice-president of Communications at PM Pediatrics, a specialized pediatric urgent care provider. The pediatric emergency physician did her education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has over 25 years experience in the field.

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

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