Prevention and treatment of insect stings

The article was written by Doctor Nguyen Thuy Dung - Pediatric Oncologist, Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Children can be bitten or bitten by a variety of insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs, bees, dragonflies, ants, centipedes... A sting or bite in the mouth or on the neck can also cause swelling and difficulty breathe and swallow.

1. Symptoms of insect stings and bites

Reaction to an insect sting or bite varies from person to person and depends on several factors: the location of the sting or bite, the poison or irritant, the child's degree of reaction. Some children will be almost unresponsive; Others may experience local swelling or systemic reactions.
Usually, a sting or bite produces a rapid local response, with signs of inflammation such as swelling, itching, and pain. Occasionally, children may show signs of delayed reactions including fever, lymphadenopathy, joint pain, or hives-like rash.
A small percentage of children, especially those with a history of allergies, may have severe anaphylactic reactions to insect stings or bites: swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat, shortness of breath and circulatory failure. Children need immediate medical attention if they have anaphylactic reactions and bites in the mouth or neck.

2. Treatment of some common insect stings and bites

Mosquitoes
Do: Clean the bite site as soon as possible with soap and water to remove any residual mosquito saliva. Then apply hydrocortisone cream or ointment to reduce itching and inflammation. Oral or topical antihistamines can also help relieve itching. Don't: Scratching or scratching a lot makes the itch worse and can lead to infection.

Kem bôi, thuốc bôi — Thuốc kháng histamine giúp giảm tình trạng ngứa do muỗi đốt

Bee
If the sting is visible on the skin, scrape it off immediately. The sooner this is done, the less venom will enter the body. Clean the sting area with soap and water and apply hydrocortisone cream. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used for pain relief. Go to the emergency room right away if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives or difficulty breathing.
Spiders
Disinfect the bite with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment. Use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and an antihistamine for itching.
Ants
Similar to the above, you can apply anti-itch cream for children, limit scratching and rubbing at the site of the ant sting.

3. When to Take Your Child to a Medical Facility An anaphylactic reaction, which usually begins within 20 minutes (no later than two hours) of the sting/bite. The child will have a swollen face, lips or tongue, difficulty swallowing, breathing and coughing. Symptoms are often accompanied by a rash and intense itching.
Feeling faint, or losing consciousness.
Infection usually occurs about 24 to 48 hours after the sting and is characterized by pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness at the site of the sting, along with fever and general fatigue or lethargy.
Have a delayed hypersensitivity reaction or a type of allergic reaction that occurs one to two weeks after the sting/bite. Symptoms include joint pain, rash (usually in the form of hives), fever, and enlarged lymph nodes.

ong đốt — Một số trường hợp sau khi bị côn trùng đốt cần đến ngay cơ sở y tế

4. How to prevent insect stings and bites? It is very difficult to prevent children from getting bitten or bitten by an insect, but parents can reduce the risk by taking a few simple steps:
Avoid areas with hives. Beehives and trash cans with food scraps are very attractive to insects. Avoid wetlands where mosquitoes can abound. Do not let your child walk barefoot on the grass. Cover your baby's skin with lightweight clothing and a cap or sun hat. Use a mosquito net if your baby sleeps outside or in a room with an open window. Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective, and products with less than 10% DEET are considered safe for use by children over 6 months of age.

Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

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Bài viết này được viết cho người đọc tại Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.