My 4 Year-old Is a Mosquito Magnet :(

You need a DEET containing bug spray - they are both safe and effective. http://www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet

Or you can try long sleeves, long pants and a hat. And he will likely still be miserable.

We buy Off, and this summer we really had to use Deep Woods Off. You're not going to be able to repel mosquitoes and ticks without deet. I know there has been a lot of caution about deet, but it's the only thing that works. You need something that works, so you need deet.

Have you used any bug sprays with DEET, or only "natural" ones?

I was a camp challenge course leader for several years amid the mosquitoes and ticks, and frankly, DEET is the gold standard, and natural stuff just does not repel mosquitoes or ticks nearly as well or for very long. And it's actually approved for use on kids -- he's not going to lick it off himself, and you're not going to get it in his mouth or eyes when you put it on! So unless he's going to be slathered in it every single day all day long, I would prefer using DEET to having him bitten so badly. That's the trade-off--using a chemical occasionally versus his having what sound like unusually severe reactions to bites, scratching them (and possibly infecting them by scratching) and worst, diseases like West Nile virus.

This might help:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/whe...

If this link doesn't work, Google "Washington Post When bugs want to bite, what do you do?" It's a very recent article and talks about DEET and kids, as well as some natural remedies people do use. Bug spray makers are trying to work up some more natural repellents but aren't quite there yet.

If you're not going to use DEET, I hate to say it, but I'd find some very lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants and treat them with the chemical permethrin -- you can purchase it in pump spray bottles at places like REI and Hudson Trail Outfitters; it goes ONLY on clothes, hats, socks etc. and never on skin. It lasts through several washings. Permethrin is the go-to for treated fabrics and works well but be aware, it keeps bugs off the treated fabrics but is not a protectant for bare skin next to those fabrics.

I know. He's four and it is hot and humid and gross here (I too am in the DC area and know just how horrible summers are) so none of us wants to wear long sleeves etc. and it sounds like you've tried some clothing options. But I'd try again, using the permethrin.

Have you talked with his pediatrician about his extreme reactions and how the bites swell so badly? I would, just to be sure the ped. knows he's so susceptible to bites. The picture of bites that "swell immensely" would make me think it was time to get the doctor involved to see if this is just a kid with a pretty bad reaction to bites or if there is more that the doctor can do.

Look online--there are makers out there doing very lightweight long-sleeved, long-legged clothing for people who are extremely sun-sensitive and I would bet there are also clothes for kids who need insect protection.

Excellent advice iin the post below about possibly having him take an antihistamine in advance if you are going somewhere you know is going to be rife with mosquitoes.

Try putting Vicks Chest rub on him. A dab on back of hands, dab behind ears, elbows, feet, etc. Worked wonders for me. I used to get eaten alive and feared going outside...with Vicks I could go to the drive in and not 1 bite! That was using the generic version too!!! Good luck!

My 13 year old is like your son. One mosquito bite can leave a golfball-sized welt.

You said you've tried natural repellants, clip-ons and barriers - but you didn't mention having tried DEET spray repellant. Deep Woods Off works wonderfully.

In addition to his discomfort, his particular deliciousness to bugs means he gets a ton of bites which he's at higher risk for contracting the mosquito-borne illness that can cause long-term medical problems.

I think you're going to have to go with the chemicals, or stay home/indoors more and avoid being in places where mosquitos are common.

The natural stuff doesn't work. At least not very well. I have a 5yo who is also super tasty to mosquitoes. When we go camping we use DEET. It's the only thing that works. Luckily for us, there are very few mosquitoes in Seattle, so we only have to resort to DEET when camping in or on the other side of the mountains.

I also get eaten alive.

I use Repel 40% Deet on my clothes and Cutter Skinsations 7% Deet on my skin. Reapply the Cutter every 30-40 minutes. Shower before bed to get all the bug spray off. This is pretty much the only way I can manage not being bitten. There's no "natural" bug spray out there that will keep them away.

i love the all-natural stuff like badger and burt's, but for some things there's just nothing but DEET that will work. and that includes mosquitoes and ticks. for this little fellow i'd go with super lightweight but long-sleeved shirts and long pants and a hat, and spray them all very thoroughly. not his skin, but the clothes. also put a scented dryer sheet in his hat, and maybe one in a pocket.
khairete
S.

i hear that a vitamin b complex makes one unattractive to mosquitoes. but have never tested this myself.
when my kids get bit bad i give them benadryl only at night and only half a dose. (kills the itch and does not disturb the sleep cycle like the full dose does)
when i go outside i wear long sleeve shirt and pants that have been sprayed heavily with deet containing bugspray. don't usually put it directly on the skin and it seems to minimize the amount of bites.
i would also contact the pedi for other solutions but mine would jsut say use deet.

Our state mosquito control office recommends DEET - I know people don't like to use "chemicals" but we have the problem now with EEE and West Nile, which are way worse than the DEET in most people's estimation.

Our state sprays for mosquitos whenever you request it - we sign up on line (there are regional offices that cover different parts of the state) and it's most effective if a whole bunch of people in the same neighborhood sign up together. Our neighborhood sends out an email to each other to get some good numbers there. Also make sure there is nothing in your yard that collects water - kids' buckets and toy trucks, flower pots, dog dishes, bird baths, watering cans, even bottle caps, anything that holds stagnant water where the females lay their eggs.

Some people install bat houses on the sides of their homes, or install martin houses (those bird houses that look like apartment buildings). It's too late for the martin houses now - you have to get them up in the fall so they are visible when the first birds migrate in the spring, and they need an open area where they are very visible. Bats and martins eat mosquitos.

Some of the very large bites may not be from mosquitos. We have something called May flies (which are most active in May but after this crazy winter the season was off a bit) - they leave huge welts which can be 2-4 inches across and hot to the touch. If you have some of those, be aware it may be a different insect. We also have deer flies and green head flies - in fact, putting the anti-itch creams on can actually irritate the itching. So avoiding the bites is a plus.

I've seen a natural mosquito trap on line - you can google it but it uses a 2 liter soda bottle cut in 2 pieces, some water and brown sugar, and some active yeast. The yeast creates the CO2 which attracts the mosquitos - you're supposed to put it on your porch or yard but not right next to you, so it lures the bugs away from the people. I'm not sure it's all that effective but it's an inexpensive experiment if you want to try it. Obviously it's no good if you're out running around.

I think you may need to consider some DEET so your child can be a normal kid going in the pool and through the sprinkler.

Also, mosquitos are very weak flyers so they are inactive on windy days. When we sit on the porch, we've put out a powerful fan to keep the air moving. I know it looks dumb to have a fan outside, but it helps a lot.

I hate DEET. I refuse to use it.
The botanical mosquito repellants don't work worth a damn.
Carry a bottle of liquid benadryl with you and dab it on bite as soon as they happen. It will stop the itch before it starts.
Some people's body chemistry just seems to be more attractive to bitiing insects than others. Fleas and mosquitoes seldom bite me and I don't use bug repellant. They eat my daughter alive, no matter what she does.

What does your doctor say?
Your son has a severe enough response to bites that I'd have his pediatrician and maybe an allergist check him out.
Anything that helps with a histamine response will help curb the itching.
Try Claritan or any one of the other non drowsy allergy meds to see if they help during the day.
Benadryl at night should be fine since he'll be sleeping then anyway.

Use a bug spray with %30 DEET (over that concentration is not recommended for children.)
You can try eating a lot of garlic dishes - some say that eating garlic can help keep mosquitoes away.
Your only other option is to use indoor pools and stay away from being outside until frost in the fall kills off the bugs.
Do what you can to eliminate mosquito breeding areas in your yard and try to get your neighbors on board with doing the same in their yards.
Anything with standing water in it has to be eliminated.
Bird bathes should be washed out daily and potted plants with water standing in the dishes will make the bugs worse.
Ponds should have a splashy fountain in them to keep the water surface rippling (mosquitoes need still water).

My aunt is a nurse and she started getting eaten alive when she moved to Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. She did some research, and shared her insight with us when we visited. Garlic! She took garlic pills and it saved her. I tried garlic pills and they made me gag (imagine your little guy is too little to swallow pills). But I ate garlic and it made a HUGE difference. Not sure if he likes garlic or if you guys eat a lot, but might be worth a try. Even if you just hide it in spaghetti sauce or other things that already have that kind of flavor. It really did make a difference.

You said you've already tried homemade, but just FYI I make one that has peppermint oil and lemongrass oil and it works for my daughter. Seems like it might not be strong enough for your guy, but had to mention! But try the garlic!! Good luck!

Have you considered a vit. B tablet daily? Ask his doctor, of course, but if he has an allergy to the bites, it might be worth doing. My DH takes vit. B during the summer and is rarely bitten anymore. I would also work to make your yard less attractive to mosquitoes.

The swelling a person gets from a bug bite is an allergic reaction to the bite. Have you tried an antihistamine? Obviously prevention is best (as you've been doing) but if you know he's going to be somewhere that he might get bitten, you could try a dose of claritin before you go to try to prevent the reaction to the bite.

Also, if you know he got some bites, and knowing that he scratches at night when he's asleep/half asleep, you could try some benedryl before bed.

Younger children have bigger reactions to insect bites because their systems haven't built up tolerance to them yet. It gets better as they get older. By four your child should understand that he is not to scratch the bites, but tell you when he is itchy so you can treat them before he goes to sleep. My kids use Afterbite. It works well.

I would try essential oils. Lots of them repel flying insects. It's certainly worth a try!

Make a paste of baking soda and water to put on bites. You can also put baking soda in his bath water. This will reduce the swelling and help take the itch out of the bites.

I am a magnet for mosquitoes too. This has been my go to solution for years.

You could try permethrin. You spray it on clothing and it makes the clothing repel the mosquitos. It stays effective even through multiple washings. However it might not protect uncovered skin. It is safe for children.

I would also ask a doc about how to address the extreme reactions.

My mother in law traveled to Alaska a few years ago and knowing the mosquitoes grow to the size of humming birds up there got her thinking.

She started taking vinegar supplements and eating more of it.

When she got to Alaska she would look down and her chest would be covered by them. She'd wipe down her skin to get rid of them and make a mess BUT she never got a single bite.

Do some research of foods/drinks/supplements he can take to repel the bugs.

There are also plants you can cover your yard with that mosquitoes don't like. They won't come in the area and he won't be bitten.