Mosquito bites are often regarded as normal and are common. Even though one mosquito bite actually carries the risk of transmitting dangerous diseases, especially to babies. Therefore, protecting your child from mosquito bites also needs to be done in an effective and safe way.
Not only can mosquito bites cause itching and scars that sometimes do not easily disappear, but also carry the risk of deadly disease. Zika virus infection transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito can cause neurological complications, such as congenital microcephaly (in babies born to mothers infected with the Zika virus) namely the condition of the baby's head is smaller than other babies of the same age and sex, Guillain-Barré syndrome namely a collection of symptoms due to the body's immune system that attacks innervation, meningoencephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and the lining of the brain, and myelitis which is inflammation of the spinal cord. The development of this dangerous disease forced each country to take various anticipatory steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
Chikungunya Virus, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), and Malaria
In addition to the Zika virus, mosquitoes are also at risk of carrying germs that cause other diseases, such as chikungunya, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and malaria. DHF infection is usually accompanied by symptoms that look familiar, such as unbearable muscle aches, high fever, bleeding, to headache attacks. Similar to DHF, chikungunya generally causes symptoms of high fever and joint pain in the back, hands, and feet. Therefore, this disease can make people unable to carry out activities as simple as walking. While malaria is transmitted through Anopheles mosquito bites, causing symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, fever, malaise, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anemia, muscle aches.
Aedes mosquitoes often breed in water reservoirs and fly in the afternoon and evening. Therefore, as much as possible drain the bathtub as routinely as possible and cover water reservoirs at home. It is also advisable to place toddlers in the house at times when mosquitoes are prone to circulate. Wear pants and long sleeves for toddlers, thereby reducing the risk of mosquito bites. Installing mosquito repellent gauze on the window and placing a mosquito net on a baby's bed can also help prevent mosquito bites.
Mother, Carefully Choose Mosquito Repellent Products for Your Little One
Currently there are many mosquito repellent products that can be used to protect your child from mosquito bites. Such products can be in the form of skin lotions, mosquito coils, spray medicines, or electric. Even so, it should be noted that mosquito repellent products are not necessarily safe if applied to the Little One. Therefore, as parents must be vigilant and critical in choosing mosquito repellent products for your child to avoid things that are not desirable.
For this type of use in infants and children, it is recommended to use mosquito coils that can be applied to the skin or sprayed on clothes. While the content of mosquito repellent lotion containing picaridin, DEET, or IR3535 is generally only allowed to be used in infants over the age of two months. But it is still advisable to choose mosquito repellent products with a DEET content of no more than 10-30 percent. DEET with a concentration of more than 30 percent can be a risk of becoming a dangerous chemical that is absorbed through the pores of the skin. In addition, products with this ingredient are recommended not to be applied more than once a day because it can be dangerous for toddlers if applied to the skin in the long run.
If parents want to use products made from natural ingredients, products containing Eucalyptus oil can be selected. The oil from this plant is known as P-menthane diol (PMD) which is a natural mosquito repellent that provides the same protection as products with low concentrations of DEET. Generally, products made from natural oils contain basic oils such as coconut oil which has the quality of moisturizing and nourishing baby's skin. However, this material is not recommended for children under 3 years.
What is the proper way to use topical mosquito repellent?
There are at least 5 things that need to be considered related to the use of topical mosquito repellent, namely:
- Avoid applying it to the palms, around the mouth and eyes of the baby / child.
- Apply oil or mosquito repellent lotion to the surface of the skin that is not protected by clothing or clothing.
- Apply lotion to Mother's hands first, then rub into the skin of a child or baby. Do not let your child use his own lotion, because children have the habit of rubbing their eyes with their hands or putting their hands in their mouths.
- Avoid applying mosquito repellent products on your little skin that is irritated or on scars.
- Stop use if an allergic reaction occurs in the baby after using certain mosquito coils.
- Keep the insect repellent packaging out of reach of your little one.
Wet immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes if a mosquito repellent product hits the toddler's eyes. If you accidentally drink by Little, immediately provide plenty of drinking water or milk, or contact the nearest hospital.
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