Insect Repellants
Safe use of insect repellents can minimize itching, scratching. Summer is back, and so are mosquitoes. Before you reach for the insect repellent, review these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Rather than apply the repellents directly to your child's skin, you can apply more to your child's clothing, following the directions on the product label.
© 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics. This Parent Plus may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.
submitted by Dr. Brown
Bugs :Mosquito and No-See-ums
Insect repellant sprays work by camouflaging the human sent. A clean, non smelling body helps to not attract bugs as does not wearing perfumes or scented lotions. For years, the leading effective insect repellant contain DEET( N,N,-Diethyl-Meta-Tolumide). The higher the percent in the product, the longer it lasts after applied. Although DEET is toxic if swallowed( It can cause seizures.), even 100 % is fine on young children or infants. Try to avoid the face or hands if they still go in the mouth. You can also spray on clothing and then put the clothing on the child. DEET is water soluble, so it washes off easily and perspires off too. Reapply after the bath, shower, pool or sprinkler, Etc.
Ticks
Ticks can cause Lyme Disease. DEET also prevents tick from biting and therefore Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is caused by a bacteria carried by about 25 % of ticks. Ticks carrying the bacteria occur mostly in Wisconsin and New York. Lyme Disease was discovered in Lyme Connecticut in the 1970s and it is characterized by high fever, stiff neck from meningitis, heart and neurologic problems, and rash where the tick bite was. Later, arthritis may follow. Adults suffer worse than children with the arthritis. If treated early, consequences are minimal. Antibiotics like Erythromycin or tetracycline for older children are used for 3 weeks. Since ticks generally crawl up the leg and attach to exposed skin, if you tuck your pants into your socks, this also prevents many ticks from attacking. Checking the scalp is very important. Ticks like to hide in the nape of the neck.
Very Importantly: It seems that a tick carrying Lyme Disease must be attached for 24-36 hours to spread the disease. IF YOU CHECK YOUR CHILD EVERY 24 HOURS FOR TICKS - you can prevent the acquistion of Lyme Disease!
Bees
No insect repellents work for bees. They are attracted to sweets. Open cans of soft drinks (diet or regular) are a common way for bees to sting on the inside of the mouth. Avoid the kind of drink you can not see into during bee season.
- The AAP recommends that products containing DEET not be used on children younger than 2 months old. Instead, use mosquito netting with an elastic edge to ensure a tight fit around a stroller.
- Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children younger than 3 years old.
- Avoid products that contain both repellent and sunscreen because sunscreen generally should be reapplied more often than insect repellent.
- Do not use repellents under clothes.
- Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- Do not spray directly on the face; apply with your hands.
- Do not allow young children to apply repellents themselves.
- Do not use sprays in enclosed areas or near food.
- Reapply if washed off by sweating or getting wet.
- Avoid reapplying repellents on young children unless necessary.
- After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or have the child bathe.
- If your child develops a rash or other reaction from an insect repellent, wash the repellent off with soap and water and contact the child’s pediatrician or call the U.S. poison control center at 800-222-1222 for guidance.
© 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics. This Parent Plus may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.
submitted by Dr. Brown
Bugs :Mosquito and No-See-ums
Insect repellant sprays work by camouflaging the human sent. A clean, non smelling body helps to not attract bugs as does not wearing perfumes or scented lotions. For years, the leading effective insect repellant contain DEET( N,N,-Diethyl-Meta-Tolumide). The higher the percent in the product, the longer it lasts after applied. Although DEET is toxic if swallowed( It can cause seizures.), even 100 % is fine on young children or infants. Try to avoid the face or hands if they still go in the mouth. You can also spray on clothing and then put the clothing on the child. DEET is water soluble, so it washes off easily and perspires off too. Reapply after the bath, shower, pool or sprinkler, Etc.
Ticks
Ticks can cause Lyme Disease. DEET also prevents tick from biting and therefore Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is caused by a bacteria carried by about 25 % of ticks. Ticks carrying the bacteria occur mostly in Wisconsin and New York. Lyme Disease was discovered in Lyme Connecticut in the 1970s and it is characterized by high fever, stiff neck from meningitis, heart and neurologic problems, and rash where the tick bite was. Later, arthritis may follow. Adults suffer worse than children with the arthritis. If treated early, consequences are minimal. Antibiotics like Erythromycin or tetracycline for older children are used for 3 weeks. Since ticks generally crawl up the leg and attach to exposed skin, if you tuck your pants into your socks, this also prevents many ticks from attacking. Checking the scalp is very important. Ticks like to hide in the nape of the neck.
Very Importantly: It seems that a tick carrying Lyme Disease must be attached for 24-36 hours to spread the disease. IF YOU CHECK YOUR CHILD EVERY 24 HOURS FOR TICKS - you can prevent the acquistion of Lyme Disease!
Bees
No insect repellents work for bees. They are attracted to sweets. Open cans of soft drinks (diet or regular) are a common way for bees to sting on the inside of the mouth. Avoid the kind of drink you can not see into during bee season.