If your child is younger than 2 years of age, your treatment options are limited to more natural alternatives, such as Badger Itch Relief Balm or Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda. While stronger products like Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Creme With Aloe aren’t intended for children younger than age 2, they may be necessary—but should only be used under the guidance of your pediatrician.

The type of mosquito bite relief product you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including your child’s age, preference, and lifestyle. Throughout our list, you’ll find various products in the form of devices, patches, creams, balms, and lotions. Depending on your child’s age and the severity of their reaction to a mosquito bite, it may make sense to opt for a more natural approach first. Badger Itch Relief Balm and Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda are safe for children of all ages and are surprisingly effective. However, if you think your child needs something stronger, you might want to skip straight ahead to the medicated products, such as Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment or Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Creme With Aloe, which contain hydrocortisone 1% and can provide relief for 10-12 hours.

Afterbite is the Pharmacist Preferred Treatment for Bites and Stings

The product’s ingredients: Different products use different ingredients to offer relief. You may find essential oils, aloe vera, lidocaine, colloidal oatmeal, and more in your product, so make a point of scanning the ingredient list before use. Dr. Abelowitz notes that pharmaceutical options like Benadryl cream are often very effective at relieving itchy mosquito bites. However, Benadryl isn’t recommended for children under age 2, so talk to your pediatrician before applying this to your baby’s skin. Clearly, you have options when it comes to products designed to relieve the itching and pain associated with a bug bite. Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop.

This is not a substitute for seeking medical attention where you might be at risk from infectious disease - this unit will only reduce the itch and not remove any toxins or infection associated with the bites. Around eyes, mouth or sensitive areas of the body including pulse points or areas of skin with loss of sensation.

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Bite Away is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared and can be used on children ages 2 and up. But I’m not sure I’d use it on a toddler.” — Jessica Timmons, Healthline writer For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. Many children have robust reactions to mosquito bites,” says Dr. Playforth. “These typically get better [with] age, although there are still some adults that react strongly. The degree of reaction is proportional to the degree of sensitivity of the immune system to the mosquito saliva. Skeeter Syndrome is a condition where a person has an allergy to the mosquito saliva, and this can result in even larger, more dramatic reactions.”

Dodge LE, Kelley KE, Williams PL, et al. Medications as a source of paraben exposure. Reprod Toxicol. 2015;52:93-100. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.02.002 Paudel D, Dhungana B, Caffe M, Krishnan P. A Review of Health-Beneficial Properties of Oats. Foods. 2021; 10(11):2591. doi:10.3390/foods10112591 This devise can ignite flammable substances and should not be used on recently applied insect repellent.Both providers shared a wealth of information about how to relieve the itch, pain, and swelling associated with mosquito bites, citing both natural and pharmaceutical options. They also explained the pathology of mosquito bites, including why they itch and why some kids react more severely to bites than others. We then studied dozens of mosquito relief products and reviewed the opinions of customers and competitors for each one. For each product, we also considered the application type, relief and effectiveness, key ingredients, and price. For a stronger approach, we suggest Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment or Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Creme With Aloe, which harness the power of corticosteroids to relieve itching, swelling, and redness for up to 10-12 hours. However, if you suspect that your child may be allergic to mosquito saliva (a condition also known as Skeeter Syndrome), Benadryl Extra Strength Cooling Anti-Itch Gel, which contains an antihistamine called diphenhydramine HCL 2%, is the way to go.