Mosquito repellents are much sought after, especially in the monsoon and the winter seasons. Mosquitos are vectors that are responsible for a host of diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya that can be serious and even lead to fatalities in rare instances

Doctor! How should I prevent mosquito bites in my child?
Are products like “Odomos” safe? How about “All-Out”?
Will aerosols like “Hit” be harmful?

These are amongst the most common questions that parents ask us on our WhatsApp groups.
The answers to these questions:

1. Even though creams like “Odomos” are FDA approved, they may not go well with the sensitive skin of some children and may cause allergies. Also, there is the problem of the child accidentally ingesting the cream.
2. Aerosols. Vaporizers and smoke emitting agents are useful but can cause allergies and breathing ailments like asthma in some children.

Recommendations to avoid mosquito bites

1. Evenings and early mornings are the times of maximum mosquito activity. If your child is outdoors at this time, especially when near a water body, please ensure that he/she is wearing clothes that cover up almost all of his body. It is much more difficult for the mosquito to bite through clothing.
2. The clothing can also be treated with permethrin for longer-lasting protection against mosquitoes.
3. Wear light-colored clothing. Mosquitoes are more attracted to darker shades as it is a better camouflage, and they are more challenging to spot.
4. Use mosquito nets at night (the most effective way, especially if the nets have been pre-treated with permethrin). Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
5. Keep the windows shut after 1700 to at least up to 2000.
6. Check for mosquito entry points that are not very obvious e.g., the netting that may protect your windows may be old and worn out with holes in it. Exhaust fans at various places in the house are easy entry points for insects of all types unless screened off.
7. Recent advancements have made available several ‘user-friendly’ repellents like wipes, mosquito repelling stickers, roll-ons, gels, sprays, etc. Do ask your doctor about them. Repellents are not recommended in children less than two months of age.
   • Do not apply repellents on to the child’s mouth, hands, eyes, cuts, or irritated skin.
   • For the face, first, spray the repellent on your hands and then apply it to the child’s face.
   • Reapply insect repellent as directed.
   • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
   • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
8. Eucalyptus oil is a natural mosquito repellent. If your child doesn’t mind the strong smell (many love it!), try that. Do not use this in children less than three years of age.
9.  Avoid creating conditions conducive for breeding of mosquitoes – any collection of stagnant water is particularly dangerous (take particular care near construction sites).
10. Turn the fan on – Mosquitoes are weak flyers. They cannot negotiate air currents well. Unfortunately, in the winter, when the mosquitoes are at their maximum, we hate turning our fans on.
11. Use the AC: don’t like the fan? No problem just set the AC to a relatively cool temperature – mosquitoes don’t like the cold too much. Not very environmentally friendly, though!
12. If you see a mosquito, kill it. It may not look pretty but is an extremely environment-friendly way.

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