We just got a new puppy yesterday and DD has been outdoors more so than usual and has been bitten terribly by both mosquitoes and black flies. This afternoon she started feeling pretty yucky with headache, knee pain, stuffy nose, and a fever. She is having auras (sensation before seizures but no visible seizures...yet). Also, has allergy shiners. I gave her Benadryl and Tylenol (she is sleeping right now) and wondered if there is anything else I can do for her. The bites are itchy...will oatmeal help with that. Can I put something on them? Does anyone have any good "recipes" to put on her skin? Thanks!! PS...DS used to very sensitive to black flies but seems to have outgrown it. It was mostly big red welts on him but we did Benadryl and/or anti-itch cream.
Living here in NC if a child were having those symptoms I would call a doctor or go to the ER if possible. We always worry about tick bites. I hope your DD feels better soon. Could you put something with over the counter cortizone on the bites for the itching? I use it on my grandson who is 6 when he has a bug bite.
I would take her to the ER. It could be a coincidence that she got those bites today. It may actually be something else that has already started. If she has notable knee pain along with the fever and headache she needs to be seen ASAP.
Best recipe is a trip to the emergency room to make sure it's only allergies and not something else. The knee pain and auras doesn't sound like a basic allergy to me...
I did call the ER earlier this evening. They said to do Benadryl and Tylenol (which I had already done). She is awake but says she feels worse so I am going to call the on call pediatrician. She says the itching is not too terrible. I imagine the pediatrician is going to tell I am worrying too much and just to give fluids etc but I am going to call anyway. **Waiting on a call back from the doc*
Ooooh I sympathize. My DS swells with all bites. Not fun. Aside from what you have done. Icing the swollen areas may take it down a bit. And calamine lotion works for itchiness as does baking soda baths. I haven't tried the oatmeal idea but if it works do tell I hope she is better soon. Not fun. Watch for the vomiting and other odd symptoms there is West Nile to consider too from mosquitos.
YIKES! I hope it's nothing serious. As for bites - vinegar works well. Saturate a cotton ball with plain ol' vinegar (the cheap stuff) and then rub it on the bites. You really need to wet the area so don't try to just rub it on nearly dry - slop the vinegar on. It works well.
Nancy, I had forgotten that my grandmother used vinegar for bee stings to stop the pain and itching. Thanks for bringing back a sweet memory. Anything having to do with my grandmother is precious. She was a special lady.
Thinking about all this, I am way allergic to insect bites, basicaly anything that will bite like and insect. Some are extreme- bees and other stinging insects can have severe reactions I have to get a shot of adrenaline for certain ones, I am going to be checking back often to see how she is. Praying, worrying a little too!
I am sorry I didn't post after the I spoke to the pediatrician but I fell asleep. The doctor figured it is a viral thing and to give her Tylenol, Bendryl, and plenty of fluids. She did soak in cool bath (didn't want anything in it) and that made her more comfy. Today she is a bit pale but more active and no fever. She took Benadryl today and wore more clothes outside. She didn't mention any aura(s) so that made me feel better. We did discover that DD was most likely contaminated by gluten so that definitely could've factored into things last night. Thanks for the prayers and suggestions! We will all be so glad when bug season is over!
oh good! Whew! I know I get bit whenever I go out in the garden it seems, but it wont stop me either! Can she wear any off type things? The fan works really! ds gets bit by "skeeters' at camp, last year he did not get many because we hung the fan!
We are in Maine and have awful black flies/mosquitos. We keep a baking soda paste on hand for bites- to reduce itching and reaction. I am eager to try the vinegar. I really hope your daughter is okay. Blessings.
It isn't much better in New Brunswick... I'm actually looking forward to the first really good thunderstorm to get rid of them !!
Wow, Brenda I am looking at clouds toay wishing I had my west coast sunshine back! You can have the rain okay? We will send it all the way over to you!, But actually you may get some if the storm goes that far.
