My 14 mo daughter is a mosquito magnet. I am looking for something that I can put on her that is nontoxic and not sticky gross. She gets most of her bites during the night when she is sleeping. And I am having trouble find something that I can feel safe putting on her before she goes to bed. On top of getting bitten all the time (3 bites last night), she is really sensitive to the bites. The bites swell up and look like giant blisters for a day or two. And of course they itch and she scratches. I would also appreciate any suggestions for anything to put on the bites to soothe them. I have tried Calamine lotion, and it works OK but not great. Please help.
Thank you all for the great suggestions. I am trying the listerine to night and have some Skin so Soft on order.
You could put up mosquito netting over where she sleeps to keep them off her at night.
Good luck, I know it is terrible to see the little ones suffer.
D.
My daughter has the same problem with bites. My pediatrician just told me that a study was done and lemon eucalyptus (sp?) worked better and most consistently compared to Deet and all the other products. We're trialing it this weekend when we go camping!!!!!!!!
We use bug balm from Vitamin Cottage. It is basically just citronella oil balm that you rub on, and it works great!
I'm surprised no one mentioned this, but if my child was being bitten at night I would put a mosquito net around her bed. Then she is completely protected without any creams or oils.
I like the burt's bees bug off, not sure if that is the correct name, but it is definitely the Burt's Bees brand, it smells good and is effective and non-toxic. The only challenge is trying to find it, check out a local health food store if you have one, I know in my town it is only available at one of the grocery stores and for some odd reason at the gift shop at the airport (which is astronomical price).
I can't wait to try this in the summer!
I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes.. And voila! That worked as well.. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it.......Pass it on.
OUR FRIEND'S COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors.
It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it
cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not
as expensive to use as the can of Bug-spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes.
So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days... Don't spray directly on a wood
door (like your front door), but spray around the frame.. Spray around the window
frames, and even inside the dog house.
Now these are Good Mosquitoes!!!
I would try the Avon's Skin So Soft mosquito repellent. It comes in a spray and a rub on.
Also I would give her children's benadryl. We had to take our daughter to the ER because of mosquito bites. She got one on her face and it swelled up so bad it was like she had a SEVERE food allergy. They gave us benadryl to take every 4 hours. The dr. gave her a double dose at first but she took hers for 3 days before the swelling went down.
I also have used the Avon Skin-so-soft and it works. Also I bet the Bounce works also. My friend used it to keep flies out of the house by nailing it up on the outside of the door and wow...no flies. I give my kids Benedryl for mosquito bites. You don't have to give a full dose for it to work on the itch. Just like a 1/4 teaspoon and it keeps the itch away for hours. Makes the swelling go down also. It is the kids liquid. I even use it. Just a small sip and it really works. Doesn't make you tired or have any side affects with so small a dose. I do it for a couple days and it is gone.
Hi R.,
I know the mosquitos are horrible! Ok so I have 2 recommendations 1st we use Arbonne's Awaken mist (has lemon oil & coriander oil). Mosquitos do NOT like lemon oil. Only issue we have with it is re-application is more often so you have to really keep on it. www.naturallylovely.myarbonne.com > aromatherapy> Awaken mist. Another one is summer survivor bug spray in Canada. My naturopath highly recommends it, they brought some back from Canada for their patients. You could probably get it from her.
Traditional bug sprays are toxic so these options are wonderful ;0)
This stuff is all natural and works great - a bit pricey, but totally worth it! It's called Quit Bugging Me and it's made by Jason Natural Products - I got mine at Babies R Us and it's totally safe for little ones of all ages. Good luck!
Are you sure they are mosquito bites? If she's getting them at night, when she's sleeping, consider how they are getting to her. Make sure the screens don't have any holes and doors and windows aren't left open without screens. You also want to rule out household pests, like bedbugs, etc.
I like using essential oils. Lavender is great at repelling and for treating bites. You can put the lavender oil directly on the bug bites 304 times a day and the swelling and itchyness with go away fast.
Here is one of my favorite recipes that I used when we were camping in Wyoming a couple summers ago. Works great! I actually saw a mosquito land on my arm and then fly away without biting me.
First make this blend:
Thyme 4 drops
Lemongrass 8 drops
Lavender 4 drops
Peppermint 4 drops
Put 2 drops of this blend into 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (I like Almond oil. it's not as greasy as some others) or any cream or lotion you may have. Rub it in before going to bed. For playing outside you can make a water based spritz by putting 5 drops of this blend in 1 tablespoon of witch hazel and then diluting that in 4 tablespoons of water. Put in a spritz bottle and shake well before use.
My husband uses REPEL plant based lemon eucalyptus insect repellent we found it at walmart in the sporting goods section. Good luck
I bought Quit Bugging Me spray (in a green bottle) made by JASON at Whole Foods. We went on a trip to Northern Minnesota (mosquito capitol of America) and my daughter never got bit. It is lightweight, kid-safe, non-greasy and smells pleasant. Because I wasn't sure (and wanted to be prepared), we also bought a bottle of All Terrain Kids Herbal Armor as a backup (has SPF 15) and it also did the job. I would recommend either. I did have to buy something else to repel ticks (Buzz Away Extreme). We were in a densely wooded area and I'm proud to say that my daughter and I were the only ones in our group not to have a woodtick land on us. All three of these products proved their might to me on this trip ... and all without Deet. Whole Foods also had some great itch relief products too that you should check out if you decide to purchase any of these three products.
Try having her sleep inside mosquito netting to keep the bugs away from her. I used this when I was in a 3rd world country for a while and it worked great. You'll need to drape it so that it will stay far enough away from her crib that she can't get tangled in it.
Or try one of the new off mosquito repellant fans. They work (I have a couple), but that could get expensive using them every night.
Lavender oil is great for relieving the pain of the bites. You can mix a little lavender oil with a carrier oil like almond oil or olive oil.
Try the Don't Bite Me! patch. It has Thiamine B1 and Aloe and apparently bugs don't like the taste of you with those things in your system. You can get a free sample off their website: www.dontbitemepatch.com
I like the Avon SkinSoSoft. It has a nice smell and no deet.
Also, I read that a dryer sheet rubbed on the skin helps keep them away.
As to soothers, I only know that clear nail polish keeps the swelling down.
Good Luck!
I don't know about repellant but I love mellaleuca oil (aka tea tree oil) for after. It is great for mosquito, spider, chigger and it is wonderful for bee stings...it takes out the sting in seconds. Good luck
I just saw something on the internet about using listerine, you put it in a spray bottle, its supposed to work really well.
good luck
Are you sure they are mosquitos? If so, I would use a mosquito net draped around the crib or bed. They are not too expensive, are a one time expense, and actually work very, very well. However, if you are not seeing mosquitos in her room, and other family members are not being bit, you might want to make sure that is the problem. There could be bed bugs, spiders, or other biting insects in her room. Some of these do not respond to insect repellent.
As for the bites, my mother always used to put a little dab of soap over the bites when we were kids. I've also had some luck rubbing them with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Hope you get it figured out.
Hi R.,
I just got an email yesterday that addresses this. Apparently if you tuck in a bounce dryer sheet into a pocket it will keep mosiquitos away and bees, bugs don't like it and avoid it. I have a little guy who always seems to get bit and I'm going to try it out on him. It's worth a try plus it will make things smell good.
Arbonne makes a safe product for all ages. It is their Aromatherapy Awaken Mist, which works great as a bug repellent, for the whole family. If you're interested in this, please contact me thru Mamasource, or www.feelpure.myarbonne.com.
try to find a citronella plant (it's a type of gerainium) they aren't easy to find, but some greenhouses will order them in for you. Put it in her room, and it should help.
I've found that the dryersheet thing works to a point, as well.
For the itch, a baking soda and water paste (asprin works better, but not sure if it's okay for small children as asprin is generally not recomended for them) it will draw out the poison and numb the itch.
I can totally identify with this as the same thing happens to my daughter when she gets a mosquito bite- it's awful! Our editorial team is working on a story about natural bug spray right now and it should be on our site soon! Here's a great story about natural balms in the interim: http://www.mindful-mama.com/blogs/adorn/archive/2009/07/1...
Good luck!
I really like the combination sunscreen/bug repellant from Avon. It's a cream and it smells decent and doesn't irritate little people's skin. And it works! You can probably find that online if you don't know anyone who sells it near you.
For the bites, try Hydrocortisone cream. It's basically like Benadryl in a gentle cream so it helps with itching and makes the swelling go down. It's perfectly safe for kids.
Good luck!
Have you considered doing an Off mosquito repellent fan??? it's a clip on fan of a repellant so you don't even have to put anything on your skin! Maybe it could hang above her crib? Also- maybe having your home sprayed for bugs? They could be spider bites as well if they're in your home. I use a really great service called Beeline Pest control (they're located in utah) they even have a 20% off coupon in the phone book :) We decided to get a pest control service to come last summer when we purchased a home that had been vacant for about 11 months- works wonders to not have bugs in your home :) good luck!
My husband has the same reaction to misquito bites. Arbonne's Awaken body mist works well as a repellant (and smells good), and their diaper cream works well to soothe bug bites. Let me know if you'd like more info on them. I can also get you an ingredient list.
I use Melaleuca Oil for all bug bites. It really stops the sting. I also use a product called MelaGel that helps with the bites and minor cuts. There's also a product called Sol-U-Mel that works well diluted to help with bug problems. There is a company that sells safe products that uses Melaleuca Oil in all its products which are safer and healthier for your kids. Let me know if you'd like to know more.
I hope you find a solution!
We use Avon Skin-so-Soft - used it in Minnesota at the lake this year and it worked wonderfully!! :)
YourAvon.com/CarrieEdwards
Good luck!
What about trying something that you can spray in her room to keep the bugs completely out of her space. I know they have those citronella candles for outdoors maybe you could find something that would work in the house.
Sorry, my response might be too late...but have you heard of Terrasheild from doTERRA? It works GREAT and it's all NATURAL! You can use it on babies and pets as well! I've been using it this whole summer! When I forget it, do I regret it!! I hope you can check it out! www.mydoterra.com/msturges thanks!
Check out the epicurian shea butter store online....they have a shea butter with natural essential oils in it that works really well.
J.
My physician recommended Cutters Advanced for my little one. He told me I could even use it when she was a baby. It isn't too bad. Johnson and Johnsons sells one that you put on like baby oil too. I bought it abroad once; but I am sure they sell it here too.
Mosquitos do not like ois in general and will usually stay away because if they get oil on their wings they can't fly. With that said, I have found that Organic Olive Oil works really well. (I am a mosquito magnet too). I know it sounds weird, but I use Organic Olive Oil as a daily moisturizer and generally it keeps the mosquito's off of me and keeps my skin extremely soft and moisturized, and it does not clog pores. You may have to reapply it a couple of times a day or especially before she goes outside or to bed, but it is all natural. I was worried about the oil staining clothes, bedding etc., but I haven't had any problems with that. If she does get bit I have found that Tea Tree Oil works really well to take away the itch and swelling (just a couple drops on a q-tip and apply it to the bite site). I have tried it several times on me and my husband and the bites are almost completely gone in 1 day. I hope this helps and good luck!!
Hi there,
I've tried the Skin So Soft from Avon and it didn't work for me. I'm currently using Bug-a-Boo from Lemongrass Spa (made here in Colorado) and it uses all natural ingredients, the main one being lemongrass (a natural bug repellent). It's great and smells wonderful. My friend in Frederick sells Lemongrass Spa products and can be shipped directly to you. Here's her website: www.ourlemongrassspa.com/marla. Good luck!
i just saw a new all-natural bug repellent patch in the "parenting" magazine. It's called "Don't Bite Me" and you can find stores that sell it by going to their website.
http://www.dontbitemepatch.com/
Hope it works!
Listerine. Use regular brown stuff in a spray bottle, careful around the face. Do not use mint or any flavor as they are sticky. We do this outside and get no bites. It does have to be reapplied fairly frequently (hourly), but it works and is non toxic.
I am not sure if you can find this product anywhere near you, but if not I would order it online. It sounds like your little one is allergic to mosquito bites, like me. This stuff, cactus juice, works great and is safe for kids. It is a combo bug repellent and sunscreen, so it's more than what you are looking for in reality. I would use the essential oil mix at night then during the day I would use the cactus juice. It is such a life saver for me and my son! Good luck
There are plenty of bug repellents that you can use that are DEET free. Try spraying her at bedtime and then just giving her a bath in the morning. Also, a great product to use if you are going out and want both bug and sun protection is BullFrog. They have a product that provides a high quality protection for both. As for the current itching, I would suggest that you get Benadryl creme. It will be in the medicine aisle at your grocery store along with other skin treatments and probably close to the medicines. That works great for my family and it should help greatly with your daughter's extra discomfort since it has benadryl's antihistamine products in it-without the sleepy side-effects:)
Good luck and I hope this helps!
I found this wonderful woman and her natural spray at the farmer's market. It is an insect repellant as well as it makes the itch and redness go away. I get these bad raised bumpy itchy spots and nothing else would ever make them go away. I started using the spray and they go away within a day or two or never get full blown now. My son had a bad mosquito bite area and it made that all better too.
It's called K2 Insect Repellant made by Karen Megel. ###-###-#### ____@____.com is made with lavendar oil, tea tree oil and witch hazel. It is $10.00 per 4 oz. bottle but you don't have to use much and it lasts a long time.
This stuff has saved me! Those itchy spots were painful and I mean nothing else helped until I found this!
R.,
I'm not much help with keeping the mosquitoes away unless Avon Skin so Soft helps. It is not as toxic or sticky as spray repellants, but sometimes doesn't keep the worst of the bugs away.
However, there is a product call Camphophenique that sooths the itch really well. It usually comes in a little green bottle and is applied with either a cotton ball or Q-tip.
N.
