8 Home Remedies to Treat Mosquito Bites in Babies

Introduction

The skin of a baby is relatively the softest amongst all age groups and, therefore, the swelling and the itching resulting from mosquito bites are often severe on newborn babies and younger infants. The most effective means of tackling mosquitoes is to prevent their exposure altogether but also some barriers should be established to protect the babies.

However, in case the infant does suffer from a mosquito bite, products like anti-histamines, calamine lotions, corticosteroids, etc. are a big no for most mothers. These medications and creams proven to be extremely effective are also too harsh to be applied on the skin of a baby. Look for benign yet effective natural home treatments for mosquito bites in babies.

Home remedies for mosquito bites in babies

The following homemade recipes can be applied onto babies from newborns to toddlers who are experiencing pain from skin that has been affected by mosquito bites.

1. Cold compress

Cold compresses reduce swelling, redness and itching to a great extent. It gives instant relief from skin irritation. It makes the skin numb and helps in distracting the babies focus from the irritating mosquito bite.

How to Apply: Just take a cold damp wash cloth or take few blocks of ice in a cloth and wrap it so that the cloth multitude. Shake this over the area of the mosquito bite for around twenty seconds or thirty at the most and in between, take about five to ten seconds of break. Repeat it not less than ten times.

2. Aloe Vera gel

With Aloe Vera, one can achieve instant comfort as this gel acts almost instantaneously. Aloe Vera reduces heat, thus it, and relieves any itching, irritation, redness and other pain obnoxious in nature which occurs due to mosquito bites. Furthermore, Aloe Vera comprises of a number of different nutrients, it is known to also have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties as well as anti septic as well. It is very gentle to babies and in fact, it is suggested to apply for baby rashes caused by diapers and nappies as well.

How to Apply: Take freshly cut Aloe Vera leaves, split them and scoop out small quantity of gel with the help of a spoon. Apply this gel directly on mosquito bite. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes approx. and then wipe it off using cloth or wipes.

3. Cucumber slices

When those annoying itchy redness of a mosquito bite occurs, the application of cucumber slices can cool off the skin. Plus, soothing properties from the slices can help injured areas heal. Also, they’re totally harmless and convenient for babies!

How to Apply: You just need to take fresh cucumber cut into pieces and place these pieces over the bite. Or simply take a slice of cucumber and gently rub it over the area for 5 -10 minutes to get rid of the irritation.

4. Coconut oil

It is said that applying coconut oil on a Babies’ skin had positive and best results. So, one can always use coconut oil as an acceptable and one stop solution as this oil brings forth antifungal properties, antibacterial properties as well as anti inflammatory properties that will sooth the mosquito bite and in turn stop any spread of infection.

How to Apply: It is advisable to use only virgin coconut oil. Take a cotton ball or cotton bud dipped in the oil and massage it gently on the site of the bite. You may do this as many times as you wish since it is considered safe for your baby.

5. Oatmeal paste

Oatmeal might as well also be a treatment for generalized itchiness owing its self soil properties and avenanthramides for giving an anti inflammatory nature to themselves. However, there are infants that can develop rashes due to contact with oatmeal. Therefore, caution is advised.

How to Apply: Start by giving a thorough rinse to some oats until no dirt sticks to it. Mix that with some water, forming a paste and apply it on your child’s skin and after waiting for 10-15 minutes, rinse it off with lukewarm water.

6. Breast milk

Breast milk will not only suffice your child’s appetite but also incorporate healing within them. It has been supplemented with lauric acid which fights bacteria and inflammation. If you are unable to differentiate whether a red mark on your skin is due to a mosquito bite or some other reason, applying breast milk will be a reliable measure to be adopted.

How to Apply: As soon as an area gets bitten by a mosquito, drip a milky several drops and allow it to dry and repeat the process if more than one mosquito were to bite.

7. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is appreciated by parents to calm their babies due to irritation and itching from mosquito bites. It has been used for many generations and our forefathers recommend it. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Be careful and use it wisely as it may cause some allergies in particular babies. Still, infants less than 6 months should not be given chamomile tea orally.

How to Apply: Putting a little amount of warm water in chamomile tea bag, after sometime throw it and allow it to cool and apply so the safe tea bag covers the area. Alternatively, if a cloth wash is required, soaking a –would– help apply light massages on the area around the biting region.

8. Calendula cream

Diseases and skin irritations of the skin can be easily treated by the calendula cream in babies. It acts as a calming and hydrating agent to the baby and provides an added advantage of both chafing of baby;s skin and excessive scratching due to more chafing. It hastens the process of tissue regeneration and growth of normal skin.

How to Apply: Wash the site with mild soap and towel dry. Rub only a thin layer on the skin once every 8 hours for a period of not more than 3 times.

NOTE: Honey should not be used on baby’s skin under 12 months as it may be containing certain bacteria that causes botulism, which is rare and quiet serious in infants.

Preventing mosquito bites in babies

The following action plan will help you to protect your babies from mosquito bites:

1. Use mosquito nets and window screens

Always use a mosquito net over your baby’s crib, stroller or a cot. This will give complete protection in day during outdoor activities as well as in night. It is a physical barrier, hence chemical free and very effective in keeping mosquitoes away.

2. Completely cover with no skin exposed

Cover your baby from head to toe using hats, socks and mittens. Keep the skin unexposed by completely covering with clothing. This will increase the protection and reduce the chances of mosquito bites.

3. Use light colored clothing

Mosquitoes like dark colors such as navy blue, color black, maroon, brown etc and so you must make sure that you don’t wear such dark colored clothes but rather choose to wear lighter colored clothes, typical whites, cream, beige and so on. Then light tan pants, tan socks and tan hats have to be selected too.

4. Use baby safe mosquito repellents

Avoid commercial synthetic mosquito repellents for your babies. Avoid essential oils that are high in 1,8 cineole like eucalyptus, OLE, peppermint, rosemary, sage, etc. You can use baby safe essential oils as well diluted in form of sprays and should avoid direct application on baby’s skin.

Avoid picaridin and DEET based mosquito repellents with newborn and infants.

5. Use protective clothing and gears

Baby clothing that has an inbuilt mosquito repellent will be used for your babies as there is no use for chemicals or mosquito nets. There are also certain protective gears like head nets, mosquito repelling bracelets, ultrasound repeller, UV mosquito traps, etc. which help to keep mosquitoes away.

6. Limit outdoor activities at peak mosquito hours

Limit your outdoor activities and come inside in evening time as the mosquitoes are most active in evening. For going outside away from home you should come back before the sun go down, to avoid mosquito attacks.

7. Use essential oil diffusers for mosquito repelling

The essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint can be used after proper dilution in diffusers. Also, never use essential oils directly on baby’s skin.

8. Eliminate standing water

Controlling the infestation of mosquitoes around your home like garage, ponds and water features, toilets etc., will reduce the mosquito population. You should check and eliminate any standing water bodies like uncovered tanks and containers, rain water barrels, pond edges, toilet bowls, etc. for any thriving mosquito larvae. If found, kill these mosquito larvae before they emerge as adult mosquitoes.

Conclusion

Seeing your baby crying continuously non stop due to severe itching from mosquito bites is very painful for you as well. You should treat mosquito bites in babies with baby-safe methods only like Coconut oil, Aloe Vera, Chamomile tea, Cold compress, Cucumber slices, Breast milk, etc. This will soothe and relieve itching and irritation in your baby.

Mosquitoes are quiet dangerous and responsible for transmitting many vector borne diseases. Therefore, preventing mosquito bites is the very first option we should consider. “Prevention is better than cure”, very well said.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)