My seven month old went to bed last night and this morning he had three small bites on his arm. They were not very red or puffy, but when I picked him up they were a lot brighter and more puffy. They don't seem to bother him too much... they look kinda like chigger bites? Any remedies you all could recommend to help with the puffiness?? Or should I just leave them alone???
I would say to rub some benadryl on them and just watch them if they do not get better, go have them looked at. Do you have any animals? Or has he been in contact with any animals, they could be flea bites.
My 5 month old had the same problem (repeatedly) in our old house before we moved to MO. We ended up spotting what we think were fleas. Do you have pets or perhaps a previous owner (if you're in a new place)? Or even a new neighbor or friend you've been around lately? Aveeno Hydrocortizone (it's either 1% or 1/2%; I can't remember) is GREAT for all sorts of bites, rashes, iritations, etc. My pediatrician suggested I have two tubes on hand...one for the diaper bag and one for his medicine cabinet. I love the stuff! As for getting rid of the fleas, I suggest moving. HA! Just kidding. www.fleabusters.com is a great place to check out...they make sure to treat safely when children and pets are around. Good luck, k.
TOPICAL BENEDRYL! Our kids say it really takes the "itch" out.
Well, I'm not sure if it's safe for babies, but ask your doctor about using Chiggerex on him. This stuff works Amazingly Well!! You've got a lot of advice to choose from here so I would ask the doc what they recommend!
Good Luck!!
I don't mean to frighten you, but take him to the doctor asap! There are a lot of staph infections going around and that is how they look in the beginning, like a small insect bite. I had it a few months ago and the scars are not pretty. I thought they were chigger bites also but they got worse and I finally went to my doctor and it was a skin staph infection. Better safe than sorry. I still have no idea where I got it and it's very contageous. Good luck.
B.
I'll give you one my MIL uses. She makes a paste out of meat tenderizer and water. It works great on itchy bites like chiggers and pesky mosquitoes. It stops the itching, so the kids don't scratch and bleed and get infected, that sort of thing. It also brings down any puffiness.
J.
If they are chigger bites, then rubbing alcohol will smoother the chiggers if applied to the bites.
Dear M.,
Ask your pediatrician first, but I've had great results with Benadryl lotion. It comes in a pump, and really takes the itch away. I have used it on my older kids, but I'm not sure about a baby that young. It's always best to call dr's office and ask a nurse what they recommend. You can always put ice (wrapped in a washcloth or baby sock) on the puffy area to control swelling, but that doesn't help if it itches.
Good luck with both your boys! I have three sons (ages 14, 18 and 22), plus I'm a teacher. I'm always willing to give advice if I think I have something worthwhile to offer.
Enjoy all the aspects of motherhood (and step-motherhood)!
S.
Try the inside of a banana peel. It worked for me. crazy, but true.
You might want to check your baby's bedding to see if there are any bugs in it. I had moved into a new apartment earlier this year that had a bad infestation of bed bugs throughout the whole apartment. The bites that appear really look like chigger bites. One way of telling if there are bed bugs in your baby's bed is if there are any little blackish red spots on the bedding. It is VERY difficult to get rid of these bugs. I had to move from that apartment and through out my couch and loveseat because these bugs had infested those as well.
Hi M....
There are many over the counter remedies but I always consult a pharmacist even when there is something specifically for bug bites or chiggers. I've tried the old faithful, clear nail polish, but that doesn't work and I certainly wouldn't try it on an infant, as well as the age appropriate benedryl that helps with the topical itching. If it is definitely chiggers, there are over the counters but few just for a baby's skin. I would definitely consult your physician or nurse on the phone to determine if it was actually chiggers (which occurs from being near fields, mosquitoes (being near ditches or areas or natural water areas-ponds, lakes, etc), or even a closer possibility - fleas (especially if you have outdoor pets. With this Oklahoma weather you can never tell! I hope you find an answer from a professional and I do know that age appropriate benedryl or hydrocortisone would relieve any itching or pain (you can ask the pharmacist because dosage is determined by age and weight). Hope this "novel" was helpful and just to let you know I also teach teenagers and higher ed. so hope I can be helpful anyway I can. Take care!
Chiyaki
