Five tips to soothe your child’s insect bite
Insect bites can be particularly nasty for children, especially if they become red, itchy and inflamed.
As parents ourselves, we know the age old dilemma of trying to stop your children scratching and making the situation even worse.
So if cutting their nails back to the cuticle or forcing them to wear gloves doesn’t appeal, here are our top tips for reducing itching and soothing the pain of a minor insect bite*.
- Wash the affected area with soap and cold water. This will make sure the area is clean which will help to prevent infection. The cold water will also help to temporarily soothe the itching.
- Soothe and calm your skin with our Solution for Bites** treatment. It contains our active green tea extract, EGCG, which is scientifically proven to reduce inflammation. Repeat the application as often as is necessary to relieve the itching and discomfort.
- Apply a cold compress or an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas!) to the bite, which will help to reduce any swelling.
- If they are in a lot of pain then NHS Direct advises over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 years of age shouldn’t be given aspirin).
- Avoid traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, as there is no scientific evidence to show any benefit.
*If you suspect your child is having a severe reaction to the insect bite, they may be suffering from Anaphylaxis and you must seek immediate medical advice. More information on what to look out for is available here http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Anaphylaxis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
** please note, Solution for Bites, should not be used on children under 3