This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If in doubt, contact your paediatrician or midwife.
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.
Possible Causes
- 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
What You Can Do
- 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
When to See a Doctor
- 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)
Age-Specific Notes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This article is for general information only. It does not replace individual medical advice. If you have concerns, contact your paediatrician, midwife, or call emergency services.