Mosquito Bites

My poor kids' legs are a mess from scratching their mosquito bites. I guess firstly, what do you use as far as an insect repellant?? And what do you use to make the skeeter bites less itchy so the kids won't scratch?

Thanks!!

Ec twins

 

We try not to be outside between dinner and bedtime to avoid the majority of the bites. For the ones they do get, I put some benadryl cream. If it's in a place they won't leave it alone, I put the cream on and cover it with a bandaid. I've had the best luck with the Avon Skin so soft sunblock plus bug repellant. I don't like OFF or any of those. They're all slimy then sticky and they smell horrible. I saw a commercial for a new one that's supposed to not be so bad but I haven't tried it.

 

For insect repellent, I have used both the Avon Bug Guard with Sunscreen and the Bull Frog Mosquito Coast Sunblock and Repellent. They both work pretty well and they are DEET-free and (supposedly) safe for all ages. The sunscreen is a plus, too.

Because DH and I don't always get a chance to smear the stuff on them when they go out, there have been quite a few bites. To treat the bites (and my boys really swell up from them), I've been using any topical antihistamine cream such as Benadryl (there are a lot of generics, too). Benadryl also sells an easy to use pen (kind of like a roll-on) that you can use to treat the bites. It does help the itching but it doesn't cure the bites instantly which is what I'd really like.

 

I just bought a liquid benadryl that I have to try next time we have a bite!!!

I do use bug spray when I need to for them! Cut their fingernails!!! :hug99:

 

After bite makes a version for children.

I use Off family for repellent, love the wipes!

 

Burt's Bees does a deet-free outdoor spray that's safe for toddlers.

 

I use 1% hydrocortisone cream, the over the counter version. It always works for my sons.

 

Witch Hazel works... just soak a cotton ball and dab it on the mosquito bites....

 

Thanks for this question, I was going to ask the same one today. Last night Joshua had on shorts and Daniel had on pants ... Joshua's legs are pretty bad from bites on the back of his legs.

 

We are big fans of Bull Frog Mosquito Coast. It's sometimes hard to come by around here as the stores sell out quickly...so when I do find it I stock up! It's so flippin' hot here that we are outside a lot after dinner/before bedtime because it's a little more tolerable during those times...so I just load them up with the Bull Frog. If they do get a bite, I put Benadryl cream on it (the maximum strength in the blue and white tube). That's what the pedi recommended.

I did not know that about the witch hazel. I will have to give that a try!

 

Hi-- freakin hot here too!! lol.. dusk and early morning are the ONLY times we can tolerate the heat and that is when the mosquitos are the worst! We use the Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picardin which is DEET-FREE and safe for Babies and toddlers. I use the aerosol kind because it is not slimy or greasy at all and goes on super fast. I started selling AVON for this very reason-- i needed the bug spray and didn't know anyone selling it! So now i sell avon-- if ya need to order any bottles, you can email me at [email protected] or go to my Avon Website and order directly on there and can even have it shipped right to your door. It's always on sale too!
www.YourAvon.com/SHolden

good luck!

 

If you want an all natural remedy, just make a paste with baking soda and water and spread it on the bites. It is great at stopping the itching and it doesn't burn like some of the chemical itch stoppers!

For repellent I use the OFF family brand pump spray. Our pediatrician is adamant about using repellant WITH deet b/c of encephalitis concerns.

 

You can put vinegar on them or a paste made of baking soda and water. They work well. The store bought stuff never works for me.

Jen

 

Dab water on the mosquito bite and sprinkle some salt ontop...it takes the itch out instantly.

 

QUOTE
Our pediatrician is adamant about using repellant WITH deet b/c of encephalitis concerns.


I agree. If the mosquitos in your area carry disease, you should use repellent with DEET. There are no mosquitos where we live (too high in altitude), but if we drop even 500 feet, they are rampant. Some parts of the country have malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever, so we always load up on DEET spray.