Aside from the COVID-19 virus that continues to affect the health of millions of people around the world, there’s one thing that parents constantly worry about, especially during this season – mosquito bites. They are a threat to the health of everyone, especially kids. It’s not the bite itself but the multitude of diseases that those pesky insects carry with them like dengue fever, malaria, Zika, and others that are worrying.
Needless to say, you need to follow some protective measures to ensure that your kids are safe from mosquito bites when they’re playing out in the yard. To give you some idea, here are some helpful tips from Agile Urgent Care:
Apply Mosquito Repellent Lotion
When it comes to protecting your family from mosquitoes, very few things work as well as DEET. It may not have the best reputation, but rarely does anyone get adverse reactions to it, and when they do, it’s often due to accident snorting or swallowing and not when properly applied to the skin.
The key here is proper application. It shouldn’t be carelessly sprayed or slathered on like cologne or regular lotion. What you should do instead is squirt some on your palm and apply it onto areas where your skin is thin, like your elbows, ankles, and wrists. These are the parts that mosquitoes love to bite.
Likewise, don’t get wearable DEET items like clips, anklets, or bracelets that give you a false sense of security. They don’t do anything to prevent mosquito bites!
Wear the Right Clothing
If you are in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes, it makes sense to dress in clothing that can help prevent bites, such as long sleeves and pants. Furthermore, it will be better if the clothes have a very tight weave that the insects cannot penetrate. Also, opt for light-colored outfits that are less attractive to insects.
Get Rid of Any Standing Water in and Around Your Home
Remember that mosquitoes breed in containers with stagnant water like birdbaths, empty plant pots, and bottles. You don’t want to give them a chance to multiply in your area, so make sure that you always check your home and your yard for any possible breeding ground for these pests.
Add Some Mosquito-Repelling Plants to Your Property
Did you know that there are some plants that can keep mosquitoes from hovering around your home? These plants include citronella, basil, lavender, lemongrass, and marigold. However, keep in mind that while these can help, they should not be the only preventive measure you have. You still need to apply mosquito-repellent lotion or spray to your kids’ skin to completely protect them.
Get a Professional to Fumigate Your Property
Suppose you live in an area where the number of mosquitoes is intolerable. In that case, you might want to consider hiring a professional to treat your space with insecticide to kill and prevent mosquitoes from flying into your property. This is a better solution than those expensive traps that are marketed as an effective solution to mosquitoes. What they really do is just kill those that fly close but don’t do anything with those that don’t come near the trap!
Conclusion
Mosquito bites must be taken seriously because some of the diseases are serious and require hospitalization. This is why it’s simply better to take extra measures early on to ensure that none of your kids get bitten by mosquitoes. As such, having the right mosquito repellent, proper clothing, ensuring a clean environment, having insect-repelling plants, and fumigating your area can all help you achieve your goal of preventing mosquito bites!
In the event that your child got an insect bite and is showing symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pain, and rashes, take them to Agile Urgent Care to be given immediate medical attention. Our expert doctors and nurses treat patients of all ages to ensure their overall well-being. Contact us today to learn more about our medical services!
