Being outdoors means dealing with insects.
Every child has at one time or another had to deal with insect bites. A wide variety of insect repellents are available, but they must be consistently applied to avoid being bitten. Most bite reactions last a few hours and are quickly forgotten, although some reactions can be more irritating. Some children are allergic to insect bites and need prompt medical care when bitten.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes prefer to feed on the nectar of flowers, juices from fruit and even some sweet saps. The female mosquito, which is usually smaller than the male, is the one that bites humans. In order for the female to produce plenty of eggs, she must occasionally get some blood. The itchy insect bite she leaves is due to the saliva she injects into the skin. Mosquitoes breed and deposit eggs wherever they can find still or stagnant water. They are drawn to humans by light, warmth and carbon dioxide. Perspiration or scents from perfume and soap will also attract them.
Bees, Wasps and Yellow Jackets
A child bitten by a bee, wasp or yellow jacket will feel instant, sharp pain at the sting site. A red bump will develop, and you may see a small white spot where the stinger penetrated. The bump will swell slightly. In most children the pain and swelling last just a few hours. You can treat the bite with topical numbing ointment. Bees and yellow jackets can only sting once, after which they lose their stingers. Wasps, however, can sting repeatedly. If your child is allergic to bee stings, always have a bee sting kit ready when he goes outdoors.
Chiggers
Chiggers are tiny insects found in grassy and wooded areas. Kids playing outdoors in fields, woods or meadows should keep their pants tucked into the top of their socks, since chiggers bite the feet and legs. They leave tiny red marks that itch intensely and last for a few days. There are several over-the-counter medicines and sprays available to treat the bites. Some people try home treatments such as ice or a vinegar-baking soda paste.
Prevention and Treatment
To prevent insect bites, apply an insect repellent suitable for children to their skin or dress them in long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. Bees and some mosquitoes can sting through clothing, however. Common treatments for bites are ice applied for a few minutes, followed by calamine lotion or hydrocortisone creams to alleviate itching. If your child tends to have long-lasting, very irritating reactions to insect bites, giving her a dose of a liquid antihistamine such as Benadryl after she's bitten might help. If your child has a severe reaction -- difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or throat, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, vomiting or hives -- get emergency medical help immediately.
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