How to Prevent & Treat Bug Bites in Kids

Bug bites giving you an itch to scratch this summer? Here’s how to Prevent & Treat Bug Bites in Kids – perfect tips for parents! This is a sponsored post. All bug bite prevention opinions are my own.

How to Prevent & Treat Bug Bites in Kids

Florida, aka mosquito heaven. While I love the glorious winters, the eternal sunshine, and that beach life so much, you can’t step outside of the house during the summer without being greeted by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes.

Eww. And dealing with the mosquito bite aftermath with my kids – it can be itchy torture!

But there’s absolutely NO way that I’m keeping my kids cooped up indoors this summer. There’s so many outdoor summer memories yet to be made. Prevent and treat bug bites on our kids this summer (especially those pesky mosquitoes!) with these best tips. Do you know the right way to apply sunscreen AND bug spray?

Start with Evasive Maneuvers

Avoiding bug bites starts with a little planning. Evade bug bites by preparing for your day outdoors with these tips.

Make sure you have a first aid kit packed and ready to go, like this DIY First Aid Kit from KnowYourOTCs.org!
Avoid peak bug times: late afternoon/early evening are when bugs like mosquitoes are more apt to be ready to bite.
Cover your child’s skin with protective clothing: long sleeves, long pants, socks, closed toe shoes.
Avoid scented lotions, which could attract other bugs such as bees and wasps.

Repel Those Bugs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported illnesses from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas have tripled in the U.S. since 2004. YIKES! So how do we keep those pesky biters away? DEET bug spray is considered safe and effective to repel bugs. But make sure you know how to apply bug spray correctly to keep you and your family safe.

Look for bug spray between 10%-30% DEET concentration. Studies show that greater than 30% doesn’t necessarily provide any extra protection.
Apply bug spray about 15-20 minutes BEFORE heading outside.
When applying sunscreen AND DEET bug spray, apply sunscreen first, wait 20 minutes, and then apply thin layer of bug spray.
DEET products are NOT recommended for young infants. Consider using netting, stroller covers and/or keeping them away from buggy areas.

Treat Your Child’s Bug Bites Safely

Got stung? It’s time to treat bug bites with the best of care. Use these tips to treat your child’s bug bites safely and to keep them from scratching!

Carefully remove any visible stinger, tick, hairs, etc. from the bite.
Wash the area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress to the bite for 10 minutes to reduce swelling.
Consider over-the-counter medicines like diphenhydramine and skin protectants like hydrocortisone creams for itching relief.
Use an emery board to soften your child’s nails so that when they scratch in their sleep, their nails will be soft and less likely to break the skin.
Cover up bites that drive kids crazy with band-aids or clothing as a cue for them not to scratch (the cycle of scratching and itchy can go on and on — avoiding the scratch helps them calm down).

We don’t have time for bug bites to slow us down. We only have a few weeks of summer memories left! Hopefully these tips will help your family prevent and treat bug bites this summer and beyond – so you can make the most of those outdoor moments. Get more tips on how to prevent and treat bug bites for your family this summer at KnowYourOTCs.org.

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I am a #KnowYourOTCs blogging ambassador, compensated by the CHPA’s Educational Foundation in support of KnowYourOTCs.org. All opinions are my own. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more family tips, delicious recipes, and kid crafts.