10 Ways to Avoid and Treat a Mosquito Allergy
AJ’s Mosquito Allergy is not life threatening but it is also not something to let go. We have to treat it and we have to be careful everywhere we go. If we are at home it is easy. If we are away from home we have to be especially careful. Here are ten ways to treat (and be cautious) Mosquito Allergies.
1. Avoid areas that are infested by mosquitoes (like large areas of swampy water, tall grassy areas, creaks, ponds, wooded areas, etc.
2. Remove or treat areas of standing water with chlorine.
3. Treat clothing with DEET in concentrations of 10-30% (which can be used in children older than 2 months). We also use this on his skin. We spray his clothing before he puts it on and also spray any exposed skin.
4. Use Citronella Candles
5. Avoid playing outdoors during peak times; dusk until dawn.
6. Install and repair screens, making sure to check the screen doors and even the less used windows.
7. Avoid scented body products like shampoos, lotions, and perfumes.
8. Use a large fan outdoors to add a breeze to your outdoor function. Mosquitoes can’t fly in the breeze.
9. The naturalists say the oils are the way to go…Lavender, Catnip, Eucalyptus, Pennyroyal, Tansy, Basi, Thyme, Cedar, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lemongrass, etc. I don’t know if any of these work but it might be worth a shot.
10. And, you can always just crank the AC and stay in but that is not very summery or very “green”, of course. And, what fun is that for a little kid?
Treatment
1. Benadryl cream
2. Benadryl or Zyrtec are both great antihistamines. However, AJ can not take these at night because they counteract with his sleep medication. He can take Benadryl during the day and it works well.
3. Apparently, a cold shower reduces the swelling of welts because it constricts the capillaries, allowing fewer antigens and antibodies to cause a reaction. I don’t think AJ would stand for a cold shower but I may try it if he gets too many bites.
4. At dusk we make him wear both long pants and a long sleeved shirt that are both coated in DEET. If he does not wear this (lightweight fabrics), even in the hottest temperatures, he must come inside.
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Interesting, although I’m unsure of how safe DEET is for young children.
Anyone know for sure?
I just spoke with two pharmacists and a nurse, both of whom say that DEET is not safe for children 2 and under. We are trying non-DEET products (Avon’s Skin So soft, and a Bullfrog brand sunscreen-repellent combo). My own research as well suggests that DEET is not worth the risk unless anaphylactic shock is a possibility.
We are trying a cortisone cream on the bite and Bebedryl orally. ALso elevation and cold compresses, if you can get a toddler to agree!
Susie,
THank you so much! I appreciate the answer to the question.
I’ve heard that lavender is actually an attractant and not a deterrent. Pennyroyal is supposed to be the best home made remedy. Mosquitoes are attracted to anything with alcohol in it (and if you drink alcohol as well). Zyrtec taken before being bitten is also supposed to be the best antihistamine, even beyond benedryl. Temporary relief for me comes with bathing in epsom salts and then adding calmine lotion before bed so I don’t scratch in my sleep.
deet? for a 2mo. old? are you kidding? bad advice.
Some of the other tips were obviously not researched either. Citronella also attracts, bergamot repels.
My wife finds putting ice on the bites helps alleviate both the swelling and the itch – which otherwise often leads to infection
A great way to avoid mosquitos is to use products like traps, attractants or vacuums in order to avoid chemicals. One way to protect oneself is to use non-toxic mosquito repellent wristbands. There is a product out there that is completely non-toxic and uses and all-natural ingredient called Geraniol. You can get the wristbands or other mosquito control products from http://www.PestControl-Store.com. I typically use the wristbands on my little ones when we vacation to the Carribean.