How to Protect Your Child From Insect Bites

Insect bites—such as bites from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, and spiders—can be a problem for children. They can make your child’s skin itchy and irritated. In some cases, these bites can also cause a dangerous disease or reaction.

You can take several steps to help protect your child from insect bites when he or she is playing outdoors.

Why is it important to protect my child from insect bites?

• Bug bites can be itchy and mildly painful. Children often get multiple bug bites on their skin, which makes these sensations worse.
• If your child has an allergy to certain insect bites, he or she may have a severe allergic reaction. This can include swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, chest pain, fever, and other symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
• Mosquitoes, ticks, and flies can carry dangerous diseases and can spread them to your child through a bite. For example, some mosquitoes carry the Zika virus. Some ticks can transmit Lyme disease.

What steps can I take to protect my child from insect bites?

• When possible, have your child avoid being outdoors in the early evening. That is when mosquitoes are most active.
• Keep your child away from areas that attract insects, such as:
  • Pools of water.
  • Flower gardens.
  • Orchards.
  • Garbage cans.
• Get rid of any standing water because that is where mosquitoes often reproduce. Standing water is often found in items such as buckets, bowls, animal food dishes, and flowerpots.
• Have your child avoid the woods and areas with thick bushes or tall grass. Ticks are often present in those areas.
• Dress your child in long pants, long-sleeve shirts, socks, closed shoes, wide-brimmed hats, and other clothing that will prevent insects from contacting the skin.
• Avoid sweet-smelling soaps and perfumes or brightly colored clothing with floral patterns. These may attract insects.
• When your child is done playing outside, perform a “tick check” of your child’s body, hair, and clothing to make sure there are no ticks on your child.
• Keep windows closed unless they have window screens. Keep the windows and doors of your home in good repair to prevent insects from coming indoors.
• Use a high-quality insect repellent.

What insect repellent should I use for my child?

Insect repellent can be used on children who are older than 2 months of age. These products may help to reduce bites from insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. Options include:

• Products that contain DEET. That is the most effective repellent, but it should be used with caution in children. When applying DEET to children, use the lowest effective concentration. Repellent with 10% DEET will last approximately 2–3 hours, while 30% DEET will last 4–5 hours. Children should never use a product that contains more than 30% DEET.
• Products that contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), soybean oil, or IR3535. These are thought to be safer and work as well as a product with 10% DEET. These can work for 3–8 hours.
• Products that contain cedar or citronella. These may only work for about 2 hours.
• Products that contain permethrin. These products should only be applied to clothing or equipment. Do not apply them to your child’s skin.

How do I safely use insect repellent for my child?

• Use insect repellents according to the directions on the label.
• Do not use insect repellent on babies who are younger than 2 months of age.
• Do not apply DEET more often than one time a day to children who are younger than 2 years of age.
• Do not use OLE on children who are younger than 3 years of age.
• Do not allow children to apply insect repellent by themselves.
• Do not apply insect repellents to a child’s hands or near a child’s eyes or mouth.
  • If insect repellent is accidentally sprayed in the eyes, wash the eyes out with large amounts of water.
  • If your child swallows insect repellent, rinse the mouth, have your child drink water, and call your health care provider.
• Do not apply insect repellents near cuts or open wounds.
• If you are using sunscreen, apply it to your child before you apply insect repellent.
• Wash all treated skin and clothing with soap and water after your child goes back indoors.
• Store insect repellent where children cannot reach it.

When should I seek medical care?

Contact your child’s health care provider if:

• Your child has an unusual rash after a bug bite.
• Your child has an unusual rash after using insect repellent.

Seek immediate medical care if your child has signs of an allergic reaction. These include:

• Trouble breathing or a “throat closing” sensation.
• A racing heartbeat or chest pain.
• Swelling of the face, tongue, or lips.
• Dizziness.
• Vomiting.