Mosquito Bites: How To Be Prepared

This May proved to be a record-breaking month for rainfall in Texas. Weather networks are reporting a statewide average of 8.8 inches of precipitation in May, beating the previous record of June 2004 when there was a statewide average of 6.66 inches. With excess water comes mosquitoes who need the water to breed. Mosquitoes spend their early life stages in water. Several days after floods or heavy rains, mosquito eggs hatch and produce swarms of hungry and persistent mosquitoes. Another wave of mosquitoes occurs approximately 10 to 14 days after the rain stops. Therefore, it is no secret that this summer has been a particularly bad month for insect bites and mosquito infestations in Texas. The good news is these mosquitoes rarely cause severe illnesses. Mosquitoes bites are the most common insect bites but are typically no more than a minor nuisance. Reactions to mosquito bites are caused by the immune system’s reaction to mosquito saliva. Normally, an insect bite causes swelling, itching and redness at the site of the bite, which typically appears within minutes. However, some people, particularly young children, can develop very dramatic swelling surrounding the site of the bite. This may even be accompanied by a low-grade fever. These exaggerated reactions develop within hours of the bite, progress over the next 12 hours or more, and resolve within 3-10 days. While scary for parents and uncomfortable for little ones, these types of reactions to mosquito bites improve with age and children may eventually outgrow them as their immune system matures. Caring for mosquito bites:
If you know your child has an exaggerated response to mosquito bites, talk to your pediatrician about using daily preventative antihistamines in the summertime. In general, during the summer, activities should be modified to avoid mosquito bites. This might include staying indoors at dawn and dusk and avoiding stagnant water like wetlands. Eliminate standing water around your home to reduce breeding areas for mosquitoes. Ensure there are no holes in window screens and that doors do not allow mosquitoes in your home. Mosquitoes are attracted to body odor, skin temperature and exhaled carbon dioxide. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the use of insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. The current AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10 percent to 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age. It’s also good to note that mosquitoes typically do not like lemon scent (citronella) or lavender. While sunburns are another summer-related concern parents have, most dermatologists do not recommend combining insect repellants with sunscreen because sunscreens need to be reapplied. When choosing a sunscreen, ensure it is at least SPF 15 and apply 30 minutes before going outdoors. Ensure you reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or excessive sweating. Insect repellant should not be reapplied. When to be concerned:
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