Introduction to insect bites in children 1
Introduction to insect bites in children
Children have very sensitive skin , making them more prone to redness and irritation . This guide is intended to be a helpful guide with tips to keep in mind in the event of insect bites, including skin reactions and possible remedies . Insects can be divided into two types. One type includes bees, hornets, and wasps , which sting only when they feel threatened or in danger. The other type, which includes mosquitoes and horseflies, suck human blood solely for survival.
Insects become especially aggressive in the summer , as the heat stimulates rapid reproduction. The areas of the body most commonly affected are the ankles, legs, arms, hands, and face. Insects have specific odor preferences and are attracted to those of human skin (especially sweat), but they can also be found in puddles, drains, picnic areas, garbage dumps, and even in flowers, trees, and woodpiles.
Below, we’ll look at the characteristics of mosquitoes, horseflies, bees, hornets, and wasps. These are the most insidious and annoying insects for children. We’ll also look at the effects each causes and home remedies. In highly sensitive children, the sting of one of these insects can have serious effects. Among allergies, the most serious is undoubtedly the one that causes anaphylactic shock.
This is an allergy that causes a significant drop in blood pressure, sometimes even leading to fainting. Hives are also a common symptom, with small red spots appearing all over the body. Angioedema, a swelling of the face, can also occur. In both cases, it’s best to consult your pediatrician, who will prescribe oral antihistamines.
Mosquito
- The most dangerous mosquito is undoubtedly the tiger mosquito . It can be recognized by its dark color, a white line on its back, and matching bands on its legs. The tiger mosquito sucks human blood, particularly targeting ankles and legs, as it flies very low, especially during the day. The most common mosquito is called Culex Pipiens. It is very small but has very sharp mouthparts. It is not male mosquitoes, which feed exclusively on plant juices, that bite, but female mosquitoes. They attack primarily in the evening, preferring darkness. This allows the larvae to mature, thus increasing the population of the species.
- What causes it
? As soon as a mosquito bites, the affected area of skin appears as a red patch, which, depending on the child’s sensitivity, can be more or less large. The wheal (this is the exact name for a mosquito bite) causes severe itching, caused by the protruding point in the center. The itching caused by the tiger mosquito, however, is more noticeable, as it sucks human blood, causing large blisters. If the mosquito bites the eyelid, it will tend to swell and remain that way for a couple of days. - Remedies
But what should we do if our child is bitten by this annoying insect? The first piece of advice, of course, is not to scratch, but if the child is small, it’s really difficult to convey this concept. In any case, we should intervene by disinfecting the affected area and applying an antihistamine or cortisone-based ointment to the injured area. For this, it’s important to consult your pediatrician, who will prescribe the most suitable ointment. Typically, the most popular are “Gentalyn cream” and “Fenistil,” which can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies. Our “elders,” however, used to relieve the itching by making a cut in the welt with a fingernail or a coin (suitably disinfected), pressing for about ten seconds.
Horsefly
- Horseflies are brown or gray in color with dark spots on their wings.
Very similar to large houseflies, female horseflies can grow up to 2 centimeters long. Like mosquitoes, the female horsefly bites. With its mouthparts, it sucks the blood of humans and animals, solely for survival. - What causes it?
The area affected by a horsefly bite, in addition to the classic itching, causes redness, swelling, and burning. These effects can also produce pus. - Remedies
: First, wash the affected area simply with soap and water. Immediately afterward, disinfect with a cotton ball soaked in a special, non-stinging disinfectant, suitable for children. For swelling and pain, you can use an ice cube, pressing it on the sting. If this doesn’t improve the situation, use an antihistamine ointment, prescribed by your pediatrician. Even in this case, Gentalyn cream is almost always used. If this treatment doesn’t improve the situation, contact your pediatrician directly, who will evaluate your child’s condition after examining you and deciding what to do.
Bee
- The bee appears as a reddish-brown insect with black and yellow stripes,
just like “Maya the Bee” from the cartoons! Its legs are covered in hairs, which it uses to collect pollen from flowers. It measures about two centimeters long and has a stinger. This is connected to a special gland containing venom. The bee stings because, as we’ve already mentioned, it feels threatened or in danger. When it stings, it leaves the stinger in the skin, which, being inside, releases the venom. A bee that stings, obviously loses its stinger, and without it, it is impossible to live. - What it causes:
When a bee stings, it certainly causes burning, redness, itching, and swelling. As we’ve seen, the sting contains venom, which can sometimes cause allergic reactions of various kinds in children. These reactions range from swelling in other parts of the body, to dizziness, and in very rare cases (fortunately), even anaphylactic shock. - Remedies:
The first thing to do after a bee sting is to remove the stinger. Yes, but how? You need a blunt nail file to avoid breaking the stinger blister. This is more likely if you use regular eyebrow tweezers. Besides breaking the blister, the venom would leak further. Instead of using a blunt nail file and the absolutely forbidden tweezers, you can use your hands. After washing your hands, gently press on the skin, the way you would pop a pimple, using two fingers. If you’ve successfully removed the stinger without causing any damage, you need to proceed with further procedures, always on the injured area. Prepare cold compresses with water and then apply, again according to your pediatrician’s advice, an ointment, preferably a cortisone-based one.
Wasp
- They differ from their bee cousins in their structure. They aren’t covered in hair; in fact, they’re quite long, with black and yellow stripes. Their abdomen and thorax are distinguished by a very thin “stalk.” As with many other insects, in this case too, it’s the female wasp that strikes. The wasp has a stinger connected to a gland, which, like the bee, contains venom. Unlike the bee, however, the wasp can sting multiple times, injecting venom.
- What it causes:
When a child is stung by a wasp, the reactions can vary, depending on the child’s skin sensitivity. In any case, the most common symptoms are itching, redness, and swelling. The pain is also very severe but not dangerous. Of course, a wasp sting can also cause allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock. - Remedies:
When a child is stung by a wasp, the first thing to do is stay calm and avoid panic. Simply use soap and water to clean the wound. To relieve the pain, apply cold compresses and an antihistamine or cortisone cream. For this reason, consulting your pediatrician is important. If multiple wasps attacked simultaneously, as can happen, for example, in the case of a swarm of insects, apply a cold compress with a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in it. If, within a few minutes, the swelling increases, rather than diminishing, and even spreads to other areas of the body near the injured area, seek emergency medical attention.
Bumblebee
- The hornet is a very large insect, similar to a wasp. It
measures between two and three and a half centimeters in length. It can be black or have red, yellow, and black markings on its body. Like the wasp, the hornet can sting more than once, as it does not lose its stinger. - What causes it?
Unlike wasp and bee stings, hornet stings are more painful and present themselves in the injured area with pain, swelling, and redness. The pain may persist for a couple of hours, while the swelling may increase over the next 24 hours. If the child is stung more than once, other reactions, due to the venom injected into the skin, may include headache, vomiting, and even fever. Rare cases can cause breathing problems if the hornet stings in the mouth or tongue, or anaphylactic shock. - Remedies
: As a first step, disinfect the injured area and then apply ice packs or cold water to relieve pain and stop inflammation. To reduce itching, consult your pediatrician, who will prescribe an antihistamine ointment.
Useful links for further information
Insect World
www.insetti.org
A very comprehensive and well-made site on the world of insects
Self-medication
www.automedicazione.it/default.aspx?idPage=8040
Site with valuable information on the principles of self-medication and how to respond to insect bites
Around the World
www.ilgirodelmondo.it/html/insetti.html
Website for travelers with important information on protecting themselves from harmful insects
RAI Explora
www.explora.rai.it/online/doc.asp?pun_id=847
Information on the world of insects from the RAI website
Oasis of thought
www.oasidelpensiero.it/Insetti/index.htm
A curious site to discover “what kind of insect you are”
I commenti sono chiusi.