Mosquito Bite

Symptoms

They cause itchy red skin bumps. Often, the bite looks like hives.
Most of the time, the bumps are less than 1/2 inch (12 mm) in size. In young children, they can be larger.
Some even have a small water blister in the center.
Suspect mosquito bites if there are bites on other parts of the body. Most bites occur on exposed parts such as face and arms.
Bites of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye or ear. This can last for several days.
In young children (1-5 years), the swelling can be very large.

Cause

Prevention of Mosquito Bites

1. General Tips:

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat.
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. Limit your child's outdoor play during these times.
Get rid of any standing water. (Reason: It's where they lay their eggs.)
Keep mosquitoes out of your home by fixing any broken screens.

2. DEET Products: Use on the skin.

DEET is a very effective bug repellent. It also repels ticks and other insects.
The AAP approves DEET use over 2 months of age. Use 30% DEET or less. Use 30% DEET if you need 6 hours of protection. Use 10% DEET if you only need protection for 2 hours. (AAP 2003).
Don't put DEET on hands if your child sucks on their thumb or fingers. (Reason: prevent swallowing DEET.)
Warn older children who apply their own DEET to use less. A total of 3 or 4 drops can protect the whole body.
Put it on exposed areas of skin. Do not use near the eyes or mouth. Do not use on skin that is covered by clothing. Don't put DEET on sunburns or rashes. Reason: DEET can be easily absorbed in these areas.
Wash it off with soap and water when your child comes indoors.
Caution: DEET can damage clothing made of man-made fibers. It can also damage plastics (such as eye glasses) and leather. DEET can be used on cotton clothing.

3. Permethrin Products: Use on clothing.

Products that contain permethrin work well to repel mosquitoes. Example: Duranon.
Unlike DEET, these products are put on clothing instead of skin.
Put it on shirt cuffs, pant cuffs, shoes and hats.
Do not put permethrin on the skin. Reason: Sweat changes it so it does not work.

Overview:

Steroid Cream for Itching:

To reduce the itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream. No prescription is needed. Put it on 3 times a day until the itch is gone. If you don't have, use a baking soda paste until you can get some.
If neither is available, use ice in a wet washcloth for 20 minutes.
Also, you can put firm, sharp, direct, steady pressure on the bite. Do this for 10 seconds to reduce the itch. A fingernail, pen cap, or other object can be used.

Allergy Medicine for Itching:

If the bite is still itchy, try an allergy medicine by mouth. Benadryl is a good one. No prescription is needed.
Sometimes it helps, especially in allergic children.

Try Not to Scratch:

Antibiotic Ointment:

If the bite has a scab and looks infected, use an antibiotic ointment. An example is Polysporin. No prescription is needed. Use 3 times per day. (Note: Usually impetigo is caused by scratching bites with dirty fingers).
Cover the scab with a Band-Aid to prevent scratching and spread.
Wash the sore and use the antibiotic ointment 3 times per day. Do this until healed.

What to Expect:

Most mosquito bites itch for 3 or 4 days.
Any pinkness or redness lasts 3 or 4 days.
The swelling may last 7 days.
Bites of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye or ear. This does not hurt the vision and is harmless.
The swelling is often worse in the morning after lying down all night. It will improve after standing for a few hours.

West Nile Virus (WNV) - Rare:

WNV is a rare disease carried by mosquitoes. It can be spread to humans through a mosquito bite.
Only 1% of mosquitoes carry WNV.
Of people who get WNV, less than 1% get the serious kind. 80% have no symptoms. 20% get WNV fever with headache, and body aches. These symptoms last 3-6 days.

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