Mosquitoes: advice for babies and children, age by age

Why protect children from mosquitoes?

First of all, because of the itching and discomfort. There's also a public health reason: the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS) points out that West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, circulates in Italy every summer, and that in recent years there have also been local outbreaks of dengue. The period to watch runs from spring to autumn. That's no reason to spend summer evenings feeling anxious: a few habits, chosen according to your child's age, are all it takes.

How do you protect a newborn under 3 months?

For babies under 3 months, the ISS advises against repellents on the skin. Protection is all about ‘barriers’:

• a mosquito net over the infant car seat and pushchair, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US CDC;
• mosquito screens on the windows and, if you have it, air conditioning in the rooms you're using (ISS);
• arms and legs covered when you go out in the evening, in light, pale fabrics, because dark colours attract mosquitoes (ISS).

Tiger mosquitoes are most active in the early hours of the morning; in general, dawn and dusk are the times to be most careful (ISS).

And after 3 months: which repellent should you use?

Before using a repellent on a child, the ISS advises asking your doctor or pharmacist. To help you find your way:

• always read the label: the minimum age varies from product to product and from one concentration to another;
• the ISS lists as effective the repellents based on DEET or icaridin, to be used with the utmost care and as directed on the label;
• products based on oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD should not be used under the age of 3, according to the AAP and CDC;
• no two-in-one products combining sunscreen and repellent: sunscreen needs reapplying often, so your child would get too much repellent (AAP).

How do you apply repellent to a child?

1. It should always be applied by an adult: children shouldn't handle it themselves.
2. Only on exposed skin and on clothing, never under clothing, and only as much as you need.
3. Never on your child's hands, which end up in their mouth, and never on cuts, scratches or irritated skin.
4. On the face, spray it onto your own hands first and then apply it, keeping well away from the eyes and mouth.
5. Choose sticks, lotions or non-aerosol sprays, and only use sprays outdoors.
6. When you come back indoors, wash the skin with soap and water.

This is the advice of the AAP and CDC. The ISS adds that sweat reduces the effect of the repellent.

How do you keep mosquitoes away from your home?

Mosquitoes lay their eggs even in a tiny amount of water. The ISS advises:

• emptying plant saucers, watering cans, buckets and containers left outdoors;
• emptying the children's paddling pool when you're not using it;
• changing the water in pets' bowls often;
• keeping gutters and drains clean and not leaving stored water uncovered.

How should you dress them for evenings outdoors?

The simplest way to protect yourself is still to cover arms and legs. The AAP and CDC suggest long sleeves, long trousers and socks; the ISS adds light colours, and the AAP advises avoiding very bright colours and floral prints, which can attract insects. For little ones on summer evenings, a long-sleeved sleepsuit in light cotton covers arms and legs in one go, and with socks their feet are protected too.

What should you do after a bite?

The advice from the UK's health service (NHS):

• wash the area with soap and water;
• if it's swollen, hold a cloth soaked in cold water, or some ice wrapped in a cloth, against it;
• try not to let your child scratch it, because the bite can become infected.

Talk to your paediatrician if your baby is under one, if the area becomes hot, red and swollen or leaks fluid or pus, if they develop a fever or if it doesn't get better. Before using creams or other products on the bite, ask your paediatrician or pharmacist.

Call 112 straight away if their lips, mouth, tongue or throat suddenly swell, if they're struggling to breathe or breathing very fast, if their skin or lips turn bluish or very pale, or if they're unusually sleepy or not responding as they normally would.

The advice in this guide comes from the sources below and is not a substitute for your paediatrician's opinion: if you have any doubts about your child, ask them.