Ant bites
Symptoms
If your child has been stung by an ant, he might get some pain and swelling at the site of the sting. Ants can inject a type of venom via their sting, and they can sting several times. Some children might be allergic to ant venom – they could develop a rash and have difficulty breathing. Some might collapse (this is known as anaphylaxis).
Treatment
If your child has only mild pain and swelling, you can give your child paracetamol in recommended doses to ease the pain. Antihistamine medication from your chemist can help relieve itching.
If your child has a severe reaction to any kind of sting, take him to your doctor or to the nearest emergency department immediately. Make sure you remove the insect carefully first. If it’s dead, keep it so your doctor can identify it.
Bee stings
Bee stings have barbs on the end of them, which stay in the skin with the venom gland. The bee dies after injecting the sting.
Symptoms
Your child will feel severe pain at the site of the sting, which will usually swell up very quickly.
If your child is allergic to bee venom, she’s at risk of a severe reaction to bee stings. She might develop a widespread rash, have difficulty breathing and collapse (anaphylaxis).
Treatment
Remove the insect carefully. If it’s dead, keep it so your doctor can identify it. Avoid squeezing out the bee sting, because this will inject more venom into the wound – instead, scrape the sting off if you can.
Apply ice to the area to reduce the swelling. You can give your child paracetamol in recommended doses to ease the pain. Antihistamine medication can relieve itching.
If your child has a severe reaction to a bee sting, see your doctor, go to your nearest emergency department, or call an ambulance immediately.
Centipede bites
Centipedes bite using their front fangs. Their venom isn’t poisonous, but their bites can cause severe pain and swelling. Give your child paracetamol in recommended doses. If the pain doesn’t go away, see your doctor.
Flea bites
If you notice small, itchy red marks on your ankles or your children’s ankles, it’s possible there are fleas in your home. Fleas can live in your carpet and furniture for several months, and can jump up from carpets in search of a warmer host.
Household pets are notorious carriers of fleas, especially in the summer months. You can buy special preparations to treat your pets for fleas, and you should also spray your carpets and furniture.
If you’ve moved into a new house and the previous owners kept pets, it’s a good idea to spray the carpet against fleas.
Mosquito bites
Mosquitoes are more of a problem in summer, and are more active at dusk and night. People who are sensitive to mosquito bites can develop very itchy red lumps at the site of the bites. If bitten on the face, this can lead to marked swelling.
Treatment
Applying calamine lotion to the area can help relieve the itch. Sometimes an ice pack can help reduce swelling. To prevent infection, discourage your child from scratching at the bite.
If your child has severe swelling and itching at the site of the mosquito bite, and this interferes with sleep, the short-term use of an antihistamine might help her sleep, and also relieve itching.
Prevention
Placing a net over your young baby’s cot is the safest way to protect him from mosquitoes. When taking your baby outdoors, make sure he’s dressed in light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and trousers.
Older children can apply insect repellent sparingly, but should avoid getting it in their mouths or eyes. Roll-on insect repellents are better than aerosols when used for children.
Spider bites
Australian spiders, apart from funnel-web and red-back spiders, aren’t known to be lethal. But their bites can cause severe pain and swelling.
If you think your child has been bitten by a spider, see your doctor if:
- your child’s pain persists
- the bite looks infected
- your child develops generalised symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, sweating or headache
- you suspect a funnel-web or red-back spider bite (if possible, keep the spider to show the doctor).
Wasp stings
Wasps are aggressive and can inflict multiple stings.
Symptoms
Wasp stings usually cause pain and swelling, but allergic reactions aren’t common.
Treatment
Remove the insect carefully. If it’s dead, keep it so your doctor can identify it. As with other stings, apply ice to the area and use medication, such as paracetamol and antihistamine, to reduce swelling and pain.
If your child has persistent pain, or develops sudden difficulty breathing after being stung, seek immediate medical attention.
Prevention
Be careful about drinking straight from open soft drink cans if you’re outside. Wasps are attracted to sugar and might go into the can, then sting whoever drinks from it.
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