Daughter Being Eaten Alive

My girls have sensitive skin. We live in Alaska where mosquitos get pretty big. What I do is I spray a very mild family formula bug spray on their clothes instead of their skin. To keep the bugs off her face spray a little on the neck band of her shirt and have her wear a baseball cap with a little spray on it as well. I heared eating a bannana a day helps some,but I haven't tried it yet myself.
Good luck.
H. T.

I used to be eaten alive whenever I went outside, too. I found that by increasing my B-12 with supplements, the skeeters don't like the smell of my blood any more. I might get one bite a year now. Then I use witch hazel or tea tree oil to draw out the venom and dry out the bite sooner.

I don't know exactly what you're thinking about, but, i wonder if you have considered spraying her clothing with bug repellent, instead of her? Maybe then you would feel more comfortable using the repellent more often. Just an idea..

Hey there,

A solution for your home front and those of friends if they are interested...

Plant Basil (the herb) A large size pot of it at each corner of your house is enough to keep mosquitos at bay. They absolutely hate it. I know it sounds crazy but since I started doing that, our house is mosquito free and yet our neighbor's house right next door is not. It's really odd, but it works really well.

If you find it isn't working, you may not have quite enough. Also, be sure to plant it in pots if you don't want to have it all over your yard. It spreads really bad, like a weed. The great thing is you can have unlimited basil for cooking this way. :) The kind we use is Sweet Basil, but I've heard all of them work. Good luck.

Oh and my solution for bug bites is called Resinol. You can find it at some Pharmacy stores over the counter. It is pinkish colored when applied. It is also a great treatment for eczema outbreaks.

i'm a life-long mosquito bite sufferer and have had similar experiences to Nancy below. I've tried nearly every product out there, tons of repellents, skin so soft, B vitamins, garlic, the works- nothing stops them. i think if i poured citronella on myself and lit it on fire i'd probably still get bit. the ONLY thing that works is possibly toxic, but i do use it: DEET. i am going to try planting more basil by our kitchen doors tho- if it helps keep them out of the house that would be great, and if not, i love fresh basil :)

when i was a kid i was out on the back porch with my family (parents, sister, grandparents, aunts) for only a few minutes. after slapping myself repeatedly, i went back inside. i had 28 bug bites!! and noone else had more than two, most had none. also, my bites often swell up to a half dollar size and itch badly. when they love ya, they love ya.

here is what i do- avoid dusk/shady areas when possible, as well try to stay away from moist areas they like. my primary defense is to layer up w/ clothes (not fun if it's hot out). The mosquito repellent clothes seem to help a little altho you have to limit washing them. stay where you or other people can see your exposed skin so you can slap any that land for dinner. depending how bad they are, i spray DEET on the outer layer of clothes (prior to putting it on). i usually put more around the shoulder area b/c they are attacted to your head/face area. i keep a hoodie zip up sweatshirt around to reuse for this- it's thick enough to help keep from biting thru and to keep the DEET away from your skin, and you don't have to put a DEET covered product over your head. it's harder with a young kid tho, esp if they want to play.

for after bites, i use either topical Benadryl (gel better than cream, you don't want to rub it) or Stingease right away. taking benadryl or zyrtec orally can both also help. one last thing, it's only temporary but putting ice on them actually helps a lot while you do it.

good luck for your daughter, it's really hard to be the kid getting bit up, especially if you are active and want to play!

a while ago, i read two scientific articles about why some of us are preferred (i can't find the links to them) but the link below provides a simplistic version:
http://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-mosquitos-bite-some-people.... they also recommend a cedar oil product- it's a brand i haven't tried tho. (hey, something new to try! ;) )

the theory was that the way your body processes has a smell that is on your skin. by this theory, being freshly washed, not sweating, and wearing masking fragrances would reduce your appeal.
once again, good luck!

AVON Skin So Soft is what we used in the USMC. The bath oil poured directly on the skin and rubbed in. It's oily, hehehe does a bit of an "oiled bronze god" thing on some people ;), but it works better then a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. on every type of bug I've come across from sand fleas to mosquitos to anything that flys or creeps. Smells fantastic to boot.

A thought, though....

The bites might not actually be bites, but an allergic reaction (hives, or contact dermatitis) to something else, probably plant based if it starts in warmer weather, but a fungus would also be possible.

She's obviously having an allergic reaction to SOMETHING (that's why we itch with mosquitos, we're most of us, allergic to them)...but it could just as easily be a pollen, spore, grass, or flower...more easily if you're not watching gnats or ants bumping into her.

An allergist would be able to determine exactly what it is that she's allergic to, which would help you either a) avoid it, or b) know when to medicate.

Good Luck

I can't even begin to tell you how attractive I am to bugs!!! My whole family will go on a hike and come back bite free but I will be covered. It's almost debilitating, so I totally get your pain, or rather your daughter's

I just finished reading the responses and would have to concur with both the vitamin B and the Skin so Soft.

BUT, please, please, please check into the other allergy possibility. It is very, very, very early in the season for bug bites, even for those of us on the extremely tasty side.

My godmother (from Lousiana) had me take vitamin B (1, 6 or 12, I can't remember) before I went down there some summers back. It worked beautifully!! I did a search to try to figure out which vitamin B, but most of what I saw said that it's not actually effective. Having tried it and seen it at work in a group of 15 or so, the websites don't know what they are talking about! I did find one website that agreed with my experience (http://vitamins.lovetoknow.com/Vitamin_B1_for_Bugs) that I would recommend checking out. I have no idea what a proper dosage would be fore a child (maybe ask your ped?), but since it's found in a number of foods, that might be the place to start before using a pill. Good luck!!

As a side note, I've been on prenatal vitamins as my multivitamin for about 10 years and only very rarely get bit by anything even when everyone around me is getting eaten alive. The occasional time when I do get bit, it's not as severe as my companions.

My son is highly allergic to flea bites and during the spring and summer, whenever he's outside, he comes back in covered in some kind of bite. Something that worked for us was feeding him more garlic. We tried to contain more garlic in his diet. We also lessened how much bananas he ate. For some reason, the potassium in the bananas seemed to become sort of a bug attractor. Since we've done this, he hardly ever gets bit. Hope this helps. :D

Lavender is a great bug repellent. Plant it around the house and you can put a couple drops of essential oil on to her before she goes outside. I know you stated that you didn't want to spray her every time she goes outside but this is just two small dabs on the hands or ankles. It's quite quick and you could keep the lavender by the door and some in your purse.

Good luck!

I have the same problem and ended up in the ER 2 times last summer for cellulitis that was caused by a bug bite. Cellulitis is an infection in the tissue that, if not treated, soon enough can get into the blood stream and could be fatal. I had to have IV antibiotics daily for a week each time. I had to go in to the hospital each day to do it.

Now that being said: If your DR recommends the zyrtec every night, DO IT. It's a antihistamine to help combat the bug "venom." All it will do is help her sleep and relieve the bug bites/allergens. If you notice any bites getting red/hot/getting bigger than they should get her to the ER, that's a sure sign of infection/cellulitis.

Each day I wear sunscreen with bug guard in it from Avon, cool n fabulous. It has a nice smell and it comes regular & in disappearing blue for kids. It has to be a daily routine for me. I buy mine from this rep with free shipping ALL THE TIME-use code FSANY when checking out: www.youravon.com/kaylakinnick

I also have potted mint plants all around my walkways. Mosquitoes do not like mint. If Mosquitoes don't like it, other biting insect tend to stay away too.

Yes, the garlic can help some people. It doesn't seem to make a difference with me though. I eat a lot too!

I just saw an item in my "One Step Ahead" catalog for a wristband that is a bug repellant. They make them in child and adult sizes and even make a grid that you can hang from anything and creates a "bug-free" zone of up to 300 ft. away. They are called Bug Bam Wristbands and Bug Bam Insect Repelling Grid. Two wristbands are $7.95 and are reusable up to 100 hours. You can read more about them online at www.onestepahead.com but they are all-natural and mask the human scent that attracks insects, so bugs fly by like your a plant. It says they are scientifically proven to work. The ad also says they are pleasantly scented with citronella, geranium, and lemon grass oil.

Good Luck, my only question about the product was how to keep it from being used when not on a person, so if you call to order some maybe that would be a good thing to ask.

Just wanted to put my two cents in about skin so soft by Avon. I know it works for misquitos.

When I was little I was allergic to mosquito bites - I would swell up the size of a melon at each bite. Doctors told me to take Vitamin B1. The stuff smells awful in bottle. I guess it makes the body not as tasty. Ask your doctor, but it worked for me.

try Vitamin B. It is supposed to make them not want to bite you. Have you checked to see if she has high blood sugar? that might be attracting the bites. -Just a thought!

Try vitamin B 1 apparently critters don't like it much worked for me. I always got eaten up by mosquitos so much so that i looked like I had some terrible disease this vitamin apparently gives off odor offensive to them don't know if work for you but worth a try.

I've heard that garlic capsules and eating lots of oranges or other citrus fruits can help. But maybe you should move to the Seattle area as I think I've seen one mosquito since I moved here two and a half years ago! ;-)

My daughter seems to be a magnet to bugs also. I found that Avon Skin So Soft (I used the oil spray, but sure any type would work) kept the bites down. For some reason the bugs dont like the taste of this product. Garlic is also good a detouring bugs. Though I think the Skin So Soft works better and moisturizes her skin.

i purchased some natural bug repellent patches. i haven't had a chance to use them. i was hoping my mom would be my guinea pig as bugs LOVE her. i just checked their website (http://www.bugzero.net/) and sure enough, it's a vitamin B patch. so i guess vitamin B is the way to go. the only downside to the patch was that you have to put it on about 30 minutes before you go outside so taking a vitamin every day would probably be easier.

as others mentioned, i've heard good things about garlic. you can buy it in pill form but i imagine they'd be a little large for a 4yo to swallow.

good luck!

Eat garlic or take garlic pills/powder. I feed garlic powder to my horse and it helps keep the bugs away. There's a reason stories have vampires repelled by a garlic necklace! :)

Also, I remember feeding our dog Brewers Yeast to help with his reaction to fleas (or to keep them away - I'm not sure which).

I also agree with Zoe who said it could be an allergic reaction to something else.

I hope you find something that helps!

You can try garlic, not sure how much a 4 year old would like that but maybe that will work for you. When I lived in IL where the mosquitoes were horrible, I made my own bug repellent with aromatherapy oils and it worked great. You can find a recipe of what oils to use online.

Try Vitamin B12 and/or Garlic. Those chase bugs away.

I am a mosquito magnet, too and have tried all the natural remedies with no success. The only thing that works for me is standard smelly mosquito repellent. To avoid putting alot directly on the skin, your daughter can wear long pants, long sleeves and a hat, and you can spray her clothes. Then all she needs is a tiny bit of repellent for her hands, face and ears. I've also seen insect repellent clothing for adults at ExOfficio, perhaps someone carries a line for kids.

I am also allergic to the bites. The best product for me has been Benadryl extra strength relief gel. It comes in a 3 or 4 oz bottle and looks like clear lotion. Don't get the "pen" because dabbing at the bites makes them worse. The clear gel not only makes the itching go away, but seems to dry up the bites so they heal faster and with less scarring.

D.,
You have gotten some great advice. I totally agree with the B vitamin supplement, garlic (not the kind already chopped, it has to be freshly chopped), and NO Banana's! This mix has always worked for me, and I spent alot of time in Minnesota's boundary waters as a kid. Mosquito's are insane up there!!
Good luck,
K.

I am a mom and grandma. I personally have taken B's separately and have gotten into a lot of trouble (hair falling out, etc, ect. You should NEVER EVER take B's separately except on rare occasions and usually only for a short time. If you are deficient in one B vitamin you are probably deficient in all the B's. Makes sure that the B Complex is truly a B complex. In other words are ALL the B's there. Biotin is especially expensive to manufacture. Most B-Complex don't have this B ingredient in them.

I have found that Shaklee has the best. I have tried others and this is the one that works best for me and my kids and grandkids.

They have just come out with new products for kids and babies. Available May 1st. Check it out. If you are really interested please contact me.

N.

I had a problem for a long time with this until someone told me to eat more garlic I don't have any trouble anymore hope this helps

For the occasions where bites do occur, I hightly recommend After Bite for kids. You can get it at walmart and it works GREAT!! One camping trip, my kids got over 35 bites and with the Afterbite, not one got infected from scratching or anything. Its cheap too!

Have you ever heard of, or tried, Skin So Soft? It's an Avon product so it's a little more difficult to come by, but there are no poisonous insecticides in the product. It's my understanding that it came out as beauty product, and was later discovered to repel bugs. I discovered it while traveling through Central America and was being eaten alive. There they sell it at normal stores because it works so well, and it did for me. I have not tried to find it here in Oregon, but I bet if you go online you could...it's Avon after all. My daughter and I don't really attract bug bites here, even camping, so I haven't tried to locate it. Good luck! I know how miserable it can be, I hope this helps and works.

I have heard that B vitamins and garlic are good for keeping insects at bay. Don't know how effective they are, but it's worth looking into. Good luck!

hi D., i know this sounds crazy but have you tried garlic? if you use fresh garlic in a few different meals it really does begin to come through your pores. i know it works for keeping my husband away from me! LOL and thats impressive considering we have 5 kids. try some different past dishes and see if you can tell a difference. my nephew (now 14) had this very problem when he was a toddler, and like my grandma always says, "aint nothin' a good meal can't fix!" good luck.

-Candace-

Hi! I found that if you start taking B Vitamins, the bugs do not like it and even mosquitos won't go after you! I hope that it helps, definately worth trying. My name is D. too!

I'm guessing she is allergic to something- Can you take her to the pedi to get the bumps looked at? I haven't seen one mosquito this season...and most other flying bugs around here don't bite.. Do you have fleas in your yard or surrounding yards?

we have always used Avon's Skin So Soft bath oil. just rub it on and is smell ok but it seem the bugs do not like the smell. I have not used actual bug spray in a long time. because it is oil I only rub it on exposed skin. I is cheap and is not a poison.

Good Luck

Try getting some garlic in her diet and avoid feeding her bananas before she goes outside. See if that helps. There are natural insect repellents out there without Deet like All Terrain Herbal Armor Spray Insect Repellent at REI. Some people swear by Skin So Soft by Avon, which worked for us when we went to our ancesteral cemetery in a overgrown area in Arkansas.

You might try Burt's Bees Bug spray - I don't believe there's anything harmful in it. I realize you don't want to use bug spray (organic or other) but if its a real issue and she is in pain then you might try some of those options.