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During the summer months, children spend a large part of their time outside the home.

Their clothing is light with a large part of the body exposed to the natural environment. Contact with nature, of course, fascinates them, but at the same time, they receive some “visits” that can be annoying.

The experience of contact with the small or larger insects that abound in the countryside environment can be annoying, sometimes threatening.

Often, some bites can cause mild local reactions but sometimes more serious generalized ones, depending on the insect or the child’s predisposition. Also, some insects can be carriers of infectious agents, such as the mosquito with the West Nile virus or the tick with Lyme disease and cause systemic disease.

The insects that bite children every day during the summer months are mosquitoes. However, bites from wasps, bees, fleas, ticks and gnats are also common.

Mosquito bites are the most common, especially in areas where there are stagnant waters, marshes, gardens or many trees. They usually cause local irritation, pain and sometimes become infected. In children with more sensitive skin (a type of cell in their skin, mast cells, is abundant), the local reaction may cover a larger area, be more intense and last longer.

Usually the symptoms are mild and do not require special treatment. However, if the itching (itching) is intense, antihistamines are administered. A corticosteroid cream can be administered locally. If the itching sensation is generalized and persistent, it should be evaluated by a pediatrician. In case of infection, it also needs to be evaluated by a doctor who will determine whether an antibiotic is needed, topically or orally.

To protect children from mosquito bites, the following are recommended:

• Use of a classic mosquito net, especially for young infants
• Installation of special mesh (screen) on windows and doors that allows air to pass through, not mosquitoes
• Use of insect repellents. It is preferable to use those specifically for children. Those that are placed on clothing, not on the body, are also preferred

A sting from a hymenoptera (bee, wasp, hornet, etc.) causes local pain and swelling (swelling). To treat it, if it was a bee, first the stinger needs to be removed (carefully with tweezers or a pin), because it contains poison residue, and then a cold compress is recommended. If necessary, a topical cortisone cream can be administered.

In people who develop an allergic reaction after a hymenoptera sting, there may be an intense local reaction or a generalized reaction to the skin (generalized urticaria) or anaphylaxis. The first two are not an emergency, anaphylaxis is serious, potentially life-threatening with manifestations from the respiratory, digestive or circulatory systems.

To treat skin manifestations, local or generalized, antihistamines are administered. To treat anaphylaxis, the administration of adrenaline and corticosteroids (cortisone) is necessary.