INSECT BITES AND BEE STINGS 

During the summer, many flying bugs and insects are around and can bite your child. Mosquito and fly bites are generally not serious, just annoying. Use cool compresses, topical Calamine lotion and/or oral Benadryl to relief any itching or swelling that occurs.

Many bites can be avoided by use of insect repellent. Products with DEET (up to a concentration of 30%) can be used on children ages 2 months old and up. Repellent should be applied to clothing and shoes, as well as exposed skin. Apply carefully near the eyes and mouth. Only apply 1-2 times per day. When your child comes indoors, make sure the repellent is washed off the skin. DEET should not be used in a product that combines the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens are applied repeatedly because they can be washed off. DEET does not wash off as easily with water alone and will last up to 8 hours. Repeated application may increase the potential toxic effects of DEET. Another newer product is picaridin, found in a product called Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent. It is as efficacious against mosquitoes as DEET and has a low potential for toxicity. This product is applied directly to exposed skin.

Bee stings (including honey bee, bumble bee, hornet, wasps and yellow jackets) are more painful and can be more serious. Usually they cause only red and painful bumps with local swelling. However, some people have more severe allergic reactions, such as breathing or swallowing difficulty or hives. Let our office know if your child has these reactions.

As always, prevention is key. Try to keep your child away from areas known to have bees, such as flowering gardens and trash cans in picnic areas.

The treatment for stings is first to remove the stinger, if still present, by scraping it off or using tweezers. Then apply ice or a cool compress to the area. Meat tenderizer or baking soda relieves the pain; mix either with water and rub the mixture on the bite. You can also use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for the pain and Benadryl for the swelling and itching.

Call our office if a bite appears infected (red streaks, increasing tenderness, continued increase in swelling).



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