Red Bites

This was a weird one for me back in Dec of 07. I took my daughter to visit family a plane ticket away (for a reason, LOL) . After our return from rural Alabama, she had bite spots on her legs that itched. I had no clue. I was treating my house for bed bugs, etc. Talk about putting clorox to the test!!!

I took her to the Dr. to find out that it was flea bites that can continue to show up, up to 5 weeks past a bite. My Dr. said that she could be prone to the infection whereas the kiddos living in the area are accustomed to it and it does not bother their system. UGH

YIKES and GROSS... We treated it with cort-aid and non RX and I just went anal and washed EVERYTHING in the house with clorox.

She got over it with no issues but if we EVER visit that area again, I will go with bug spray.

Good luck.

First of all, don't worry about what anyone thinks and it could be that he got into some poison ivy or something too, you should really google all of that stuff, poison ivy, poison oak, they should all pop up together. You can also google chiggers, fleas, and ticks and see what the bites for those look like.

If it does not seem to be itching him and doesn't seem to be getting any worse, I would let it alone. If you put something on it, it could keep it from breathing and make it worse. If it was a flea bite, there would be no bumps, it would look a bit like someone put an eraser in pink paint and dotted it on the leg. If it was chiggers or ticks he would be itching because apparently my son had an acquaintance with both of those on the recent church mission trip.

If it seems to get worse or it does start itching benedryl or calamine lotion are usually what are used. No one is going to think you are a bad parent because you are visiting people and your son came into contact with something out-of-doors. It could even be the grass, something that my daughter seems to be allergic to and has to be careful.

If it is chiggers- put A&D ointment on the spots for a couple of days.

Well, it's not chiggers, because those itch something terrible. Flea bites are generally very small red dots, but they are generally very itchy, too. Possibly it's an allergic reaction to some kind of plant or weed that he's being exposed to. If it is bugs, it might be helpful to cover him with bug repellent; I like the kind that comes with wipes so I can wipe it on rather than spray. For the bites, you might try camomile lotion, or ask the pharmacist.

Just keep an eye on them and if they get bigger or start spreading, then take him to the doctor. I always put bug repellent on my kids whenever they go out especially during the warm months. My hubbie thinks that I am being over protective as he never gets bothered by bugs..well, they just don't like his blood. If I don't use bug repellent, my kids look they were covered in chicken pox!

I also give my son and daughter Benadryl liquid medicine as well as use an anti-itch cream when they are bitten as their bites usually swell up something fierce and they will scratch until they open the bites up, which leads to infection if not monitored.

Your son could also just have heat rash. Like I said, just watch the marks and use repellent. He will be fine.

J.