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Insect Bites & Stings in Babies

Mosquito bites, bee stings, wasp stings — unavoidable in summer and particularly unpleasant for babies who don't yet understand the itch. Mosquito bites are annoying but harmless. However, bee and wasp stings can trigger allergic reactions. ANY sting in the mouth-throat area is an emergency.

الأسباب المحتملة

1Mosquito bites: mosquitoes are attracted by CO2 output and body odour
2Bee stings: bees only sting when threatened — stinger remains in skin (only bees, not wasps)
3Wasp stings: wasps sting multiple times and are attracted to sweet foods/drinks
4Tick bites: in tall grass and undergrowth — can transmit Lyme disease
5Horsefly bites: painful, larger reaction than mosquito bites

ما يمكنكِ فعله

Mosquito bite: cool (damp cloth), Fenistil gel from 1 month, do NOT scratch (keep nails short)
Bee sting: remove stinger immediately carefully (scrape away, do NOT squeeze), cool
Wasp sting: cool, vinegar compress can help, pain relief if needed
Tick bite: remove tick immediately with tick card/forceps pulling straight up, mark the spot and observe for 4-6 weeks
For major swelling: antihistamine (prescribed by doctor) and cooling

متى تزورين الطبيب؟

Swelling spreads beyond the joint (e.g. whole arm after sting on hand)
Breathing difficulty, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing after a sting → EMERGENCY 112
Hives (wheals) all over body after a single sting = allergic reaction
Sting in mouth-throat area → IMMEDIATELY call 112, cool (let suck ice, cold compress)
Circular redness around a tick bite (erythema migrans) → see doctor (Lyme disease)

ملاحظات حسب العمر

Babies under 12 months: mosquito protection through nets and long clothing (NO mosquito spray under 2 months, from 2 months only special baby products). Bee/wasp stings: always inform paediatrician for babies — an allergic reaction can occur with the first sting. Ticks: FSME vaccination from 12 months possible in risk areas. Erythema migrans (Lyme disease sign) appears 3-30 days after the tick bite.

الأسئلة الشائعة

Which insect repellent is safe for babies?

Under 2 months: NO mosquito spray. Protection only through clothing and mosquito nets. From 2 months: special baby mosquito sprays with citriodiol or low-dose icaridin (NO DEET for babies). From 2 years: icaridin-based products. Always apply to uncovered skin areas, avoid hands and face.

My baby was stung by a bee — do I need to go to hospital?

For the FIRST bee sting usually not — but observe your baby for 2 hours for allergic reactions (swelling beyond joint boundaries, hives, breathing difficulty). Remove stinger immediately, cool, inform paediatrician. For ANY sting in the mouth area: IMMEDIATELY call 112 — swelling can close airways.

How do I remove a tick correctly?

With tick forceps or tick card pull STRAIGHT out — do NOT twist, do NOT apply oil/glue (tick will vomit into the wound). Grip as close to the skin as possible, pull slowly and steadily. Disinfect the area afterwards, note the date, observe for erythema migrans for 4-6 weeks.