“I would like some advice on mosquito bites. I have always been eaten alive while abroad. My youngest son whose is 4 years old now was badly bitten last year in Spain. So I’m wondering what if anything I can do to help him? Can we take anything beforehand? Or something to wear? We used the usual stuff last year….. Spray on exposed body parts & an arm band during the day. I found night time was the worst for him. Once bitten we used sudo cream last year. Would you recommend that or something else? We’re going to the same location soon & would love your advice.”
Time for #mythbusting. I love this topic because there is so much urban myth and ridiculous bad advice out there on this one.
In one respect, we have the privilege in most of Europe to be able to take bad advice (yes, that’s you, “Karen from Texas” and your essential oil homemade recipe) because the stakes aren’t very high. In many areas of the world, though, mosquito bites are a source of real health threat and concern.
Should you be worried?
In areas such as mainland Europe, the main risk of mosquito bites is usually local irritation and discomfort. The only real complication is infection, but this actually usually caused from fingernails scratching at the itchy bite mark. For people who will be travelling to more exotic locales, take mosquito precaution seriously. Around the world, different types of mosquitoes transmit disease such as Zika virus, West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever, just to name a few, and require additional precautions beyond the routine that I will discuss here.
What works? Choose a repellant with an active ingredient: (get label reading)!
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023 and icaridin) is derived from the plant “Phlebotomus papatasi.” Look for 20% concentration.
• IR3535 – this active ingredient doesn’t work as well as DEET, or Picaradin/KBR 3023/icaridin. It is the active ingredient in Avon products. Often seen as a more natural alternative, it is actually a synthetic compound.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD, which is derivative – This is NOT NOT NOT the same as the pure essential oils!!!! I cannot emphasize this enough, and it is NOT safe to be used on children under the age of 3 years. Lemon and eucalyptus pure essential oils do not repel mosquitoes (though bad pseudoscience sites will tell you otherwise). OLE/PMD are still only about half as effective as DEET.
• 2-undecanone is actually derived from tomatoes. Quite effective in studies, but again, not safe for use in under 3 years of age.
Using DEET safely: Read the label carefully. Look for a product that is between 10% to no more than 30% for children. Products with amounts around 10% may repel mosquitoes for about 2 hours, while products with amounts of about 30% last an average of 5 hours. Avoid products with more than 30% DEET on children; over 30% doesn’t work any better anyway. A DEET concentration of 17 – 20% should be used in areas where there is significant risk, such as Zika virus. Insect repellents also are not recommended for children younger than 2 months.
What doesn’t work? And yes, this has been really studied. Because while in many parts of the world, this is just a minor discomfort issue, in other parts of the world, this is a serious health risk. Expert scientists and docs spend a great deal of resources on this:
• Wristbands soaked in chemical or natural oil repellents – or anything else – don’t work.
• Citronella products – they will, however, irritate your child’s skin.
• Garlic, onions, any vegetables, mineral sulfur, or vitamin B1 or anything else or any essential oil taken by mouth – it doesn’t work.
• Ultrasonic devices that give off sound waves designed to keep insects away – it doesn’t work
• No vitamin or herbal supplement works.
• Bird or bat houses or backyard bug zappers in the garden or facility where you are staying/sitting.
• None of the various botanical oils other than those discussed previously, including sandalwood, geranium, soybean, and others work. However, it is a really interesting area of ongoing research.
• Any home made repellent [yes, that’s your recipe I’m talking about “Karen from Texas”: it’s as useless and a much a threat to public health as your homemade sunscreen]
Safely using any insect repellent:
• Read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
• Only apply insect repellents on the outside of your child’s clothing and on exposed skin.
• Spray repellents outside and take care that your child isn’t breathing them in. Never spray insect repellent directly onto your child’s face. Instead, spray a little on your hands first and then pat/rub it on your child’s face. Avoid the eyes and mouth.•
• Use just enough repellent to cover your child’s clothing and exposed skin. Using more doesn’t make the repellent more effective. Avoid reapplying unless needed.
Wash your children’s skin with soap and water when they come inside.
• Never apply insect repellent to children younger than 2 months.
• Do not use products that combine DEET with sunscreen. The DEET may make the sun protection factor (SPF) less effective, and you can overexpose your child to DEET because the sunscreen needs to be reapplied so often.
What else can I do except use chemicals?
• Avoid areas that attract mosquitoes, such as stagnant pools of water. (Mosquitoes breed in standing water.)
• Dress your child in long pants, a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, socks, and closed shoes when you know your child will be exposed to insects. A broad-brimmed hat can help to keep insects away from the face. Mosquito netting may be used over baby carriers or strollers in areas where your baby may be exposed to insects.
• Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes, or hair sprays on your child.
• Keep your child inside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you have the option, choose lodging that has either screens on windows/doors or air-conditioning to avoid mosquitoes entering the room at night. In high risk areas (not Spain or Europe), always use an approved insect netting over a child’s bed.
What if you or your child gets bitten?
Wash with soap and water. If very swollen, apply a cold pack. Calamine lotion, available over the counter from your chemist, is very good for the itch. If very itchy or swollen, you can also use an oral antihistamine (allergy tablet).
Are you now worrying what diseases the mosquitoes carry where you are going? Probably not a problem in Spain or Portugal. Reassure yourself at the US-based CDC which hosts a reliable and comprehensive global resource at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.
0 Comments