Little ones and mosquitos

Mosquitoes do not pity babies and children, and unlike us - they suffer from it much more.

How do you protect them? Using the following useful tips

The fun of the hot season is just beginning; sun, trips, sea, summer, fruits and ice cream are all wonderful reasons to go out and enjoy everything that the hot season has to offer. But not only we feel the uncontrollable urge to go outside and breathe, mosquitoes come out as well. And mosquitoes are following with bites.

Our little ones and the biting little ones

Mosquitoes do not pity babies and children, and they are as exposed to the nuisance as are we. The probability of a local allergic reaction in the biting area in infants and children is relatively high. In such situations the area swells, it is much more disturbing and itchy. Babies have no ability to explain what bothers them or to itch, so the pain will be expressed in discomfort or crying. On the other hand, infants and children may actually be scratching the biting area, which can cause infection in the bitten area. If we consider that it is impossible to close them in a protected room during the entire period of activity of mosquitoes, we need a strategy to prevent the nuisance of the biting as much as possible.

   

 

The complete guide for prevention

Nets are all there is - One of the best ways to prevent mosquito entry to the house is by means of networking of all openings in the house. This is the primary and most important barrier for protection against mosquitoes indoors.

Mosquito nets for protected sleep – if we will hear the familiar Bzzzzzz sound of at night, there is a chance that we will go hunting mosquitoes, when it comes to baby beds – it is recommended to hang a mosquito net above their beds so that it protects them throughout the sleep. For babies it is also recommended to put a mosquito net over the trampoline, the trolley, or the child safety seat while staying outdoors. It is important to make sure that the mosquito net is not loose in such way that the baby can pull it, remove it or pose a danger.

Lighten the dark but from afar - Mosquitoes are attracted to light. Therefore, a night lamp that does not distribute a big light or any other source of light outside the room will attract the mosquitoes away from children and babies.

About clothes and mosquitos - Clothes make it difficult for mosquitoes to bite, so it is recommended to cover bare body parts as much as possible. It is recommended to dress babies in long clothing that will cover the legs, feet and arms as much as possible and even wear socks. Another possibility is to cover them with a light blanket when leaving home. For more grown children, who surely prefer to wear short clothing, it is recommended to explain that it is better to wear long, light, comfortable and airy clothes.

The wind that blows away mosquitoes - Mosquitoes are not particularly successful flyers and are often find it very difficult to fly in areas where there is airflow. This fact makes the fan your and the children’s best friend, even more so on summer nights. A ceiling fan in a children's room is an excellent solution. If you are using a standing fan, it is important not to direct it directly to the baby and maintain low ventilation speed.

Keep away from standing water - Standing water comprise potential for mosquitoes. It is their favorite living space and the ideal place for laying eggs for female mosquitos. If you have a garden, make sure to water it when the children are not around and if there is an area with standing water, make sure to drain and dry it. If you encounter standing water in public areas, make sure to report of it to the city center.

 

Mosquito repellant preparations – a personal protection against mosquitoes is also an effective and important solution and it is important to choose a product licensed by the Ministry of Health, suited to the age of the child. Sano Dai! - a mosquito repellent lotion for babies and children, a dermatologically tested product approved by the Ministry of Health. It is specifically suitable for the delicate skin of babies, suitable for daily use, for infants over the age of six months.

Be sure not to apply the preparation around the mouth and eyes of infants and children, and use according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Make sure to apply a mosquito repellent on exposed skin areas prior to going out to the garden, to a stroll in the trolley, to the playground, to the sea, to nature excursions, and more, and make sure to re-apply as necessary.

Carefully read the instructions for use and warnings on the label.

Sweat and odors - Mosquitoes are attracted to sweat and odors, so it is recommended to avoid using scented baby preparations and to keep wiping the sweat to ensure hygiene. Frequent showers can also help.

And you are bitten anyway, it is better that you know how to protect the little ones:

Cleaning - Water soothes both the baby and the bitten area. Therefore, first and foremost, it is best to clean the bitten area with soap and water.

Local soothing - Applying cold aloe vera or a lotion designated for bites which is suitable for babies and children may soothe the area, even cooling the place, whether using a cold towel or ice wrapped in a towel, can definitely help.

Follow up – pay attention to allergic symptoms, and whether there is a change in the bitten area - swelling, irritation, if you notice inflammation, pus, or if the fever increases, it is important to consult your doctor.

An important tip: it is difficult to prevent children from scratching bites. What certainly can reduce the damage from scratching and secondary infections is to regularly clip their nails.