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Dawn
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 6:48am | IP Logged
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I know there is nothing really to do about them, but my youngest just suffers horribly from mosquito bites. One little bite swells up like a goose egg, and if the bite is on his face, by morning he can't open his eye(s). I just posted pictures at my blog this morning of his poor little face - and this is actually not so bad this time.
Does anyone else have children who react so violently to mosquito bites? And do you know if it predicts a bee allergy at all? My fil has a fatal allergy and I worry that my son's extreme sensitivity might foreshadow a similar condition.
Finally, ds is highly intolerant of traditional bug sprays and the like - so ideas for natural remedies and precautions would be helpful.
Thanks!
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
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Magnificat
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 7:14am | IP Logged
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Hi Dawn-
We have a creek running through our backyard and the mosquitos are just horrible.
None of us have reactions like your little one, but I have read that taking extra B6 vitamin helps. It somehow changes "your smell" which is what attracts the female mosquito.
Also, and I have no idea if this has any bearing whatsoever, my son (7) NEVER gets bitten. We could all have swarms around us, but he doesn't get touched. It is really weird. However, he is a major fruit/veggie person. I wonder if his intake of the natural "vitamins" is enough to keep the varmits away?
Hope the swelling goes down for your little guy...
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 7:32am | IP Logged
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I don't know about the allergy thing, but Burts Bees sells a really nice herbal bug repellant. I would defnitly talk to your pediatrician about the connection to bee allergies.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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esperanza
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Dawn,
My dd has been relieved by Apis. She would get huge bumps. My ds 6 attracts them horribly. He runs in and we rub onion juice on them . This relieves the itch and then before bed he puts on Plantain salve. I need to stock up on my homeopathic remedies  and give them a shot. I seem to think they strengthened my dd's immunity and reaction to the bites.
here's some info i found that may give some direction with homeopathy.
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Homeopathy
There have been few studies examining the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. A professional homeopath, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for insect bites and stings based on his or her knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. In homeopathic terms, a person's constitution is his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual and might select from amongst the following treatments for an insect bite or sting:
* Apis mellifica— for stinging pains with rapid swelling and affected area that is warm to the touch; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel better with cold applications; Apis is recommended if hives are present or if Ledum does not reduce pain or swelling after 4 hours
* Hypericum — for bites accompanied by sharp, shooting pains that often occur in sensitive areas, such as at the ends of fingers or toes
* Ledum— most commonly used homeopathic agent for bites and stings from bees, mosquitoes, wasps, or spiders; affected area is cold to the touch but cold applications or immersion in cold water improves symptoms
* Staphysagria— for children with large, itchy mosquito bites that may create large welts
* Urtica urens— for red, swollen bites with itching and stinging; may be used instead of Apis to treat hives
I found it here :
http://www.livingnaturally.com/common/adam/DisplayMonograph. asp?storeID=15F522D98A3A417FBE8D6702F135785A&name=ConsCondit ions_InsectBitesandStingscc#Homeopathic
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In His Peace,
Tammy Gonzalez in VA
dh-Johnny
mom to Tara-'85, Noelle-'88, Jeremy-'91, Elizabeth-'93, Emma-'96, Dominic-'99, Gabriel-'01, Elijah-03
and Jacinta-06
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Angela F
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 8:24am | IP Logged
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Dawn,
Oh, that poor sweetie...I just saw your pictures  .
Believe it or not, Shaklee's Basic-H all purpose cleaner somehow works as a bug repellant! We just rub it over our skin, it dries quickly, and the bugs seem to stay away! It won't hurt your skin... And an added benefit - just add water in a tub and voila! clean kid!! 
My good friend here locally and one of her sons react similarly and they also use the Basic-H to keep the bugs away.
God bless,
Angela
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Angela F
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 8:27am | IP Logged
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Oh! I almost forgot! And also if you put the stuff on right away after a bug bite or bee sting, it helps to take the itch and sting out! I kid you not!! I stepped on a bee a couple summers ago and sat down right away with some Basic-H and just dabbed it on the sting over and over for 10 minutes or so and after that I was up walking around - sting forgotton! Amazing stuff.
God bless, Angela
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esperanza
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 9:07am | IP Logged
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Angela,
What is in the Basic H?
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In His Peace,
Tammy Gonzalez in VA
dh-Johnny
mom to Tara-'85, Noelle-'88, Jeremy-'91, Elizabeth-'93, Emma-'96, Dominic-'99, Gabriel-'01, Elijah-03
and Jacinta-06
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momwise
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 9:38am | IP Logged
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Yes Dawn,
My dd has always reacted terribly to mosquito bites, but the reaction has lessened as she's gotten older. Her eyes would swell shut as well. She's never been stung by a bee so I don't know about the connection. We used to give her Benedryl by mouth immediately after a bite (if possible) but I've never researched any other repellants.
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Angela F
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 10:35am | IP Logged
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Tammy,
All I can find for sure is that it is made with natural ingredients. I does NOT have ammonia, acids, alkalis, solvents, phosphates, chlorine, nitrates or borates. It's biodegradable and has a pH of between 6 or 7 so it's safe for skin.
Because it is labelled as an all purpose cleaner, officially Shaklee has to say to not use it for any other purpose, but it's been around so long that people have tried things and noticed it works well for bug repellant. I would definitely NOT get it in your eyes or mouth - it won't do any damage, but it makes your vision fuzzy and your mouth taste funny for a while. (Because of it's degreasing ability; it just kind of degreases your eyeball .
Let me know if I can be of any more help. I have lots of information from a good friend who has quite a nice Shaklee business - she introduced me to Shaklee. And I like to help her in any way I can! I am not building a Shaklee business but by mentioning Shaklee to (my mom, mil, sisters-in-law, etc.) I get a little rebate check that helps me to pay for my stuff! I can be the Shaklee info gal!!!
God bless,
Angela
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St. Josemaria Escriva
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Dawn
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| Posted: July 07 2006 at 5:25am | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone for your suggestions.  I'm going to mention this reaction to his pediatrician when he goes later this month for his check up.
We do use a natural spray called Buzz Away which he can tolerate but unfortunately we hadn't applied it the other evening. 
His eye is still very swollen today, but I think a bit better. The swelling has moved down into his eye and off his forehead so we know it's moving down and out. Fortunately, the itch has not been bad.
Looks to be a looong summer.
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marihalojen
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Dawn, I saw this Bug Off! Biting Insect Repelling Wrist Band at the store last night, never tried it but thought of you and your dear little one. Maybe it would help?
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Sarah
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I've seen on Orvis website, clothing that has repellent on it. Not sure if there's some for kids.
You can always only spray his clothes.
I worry about the chemicals, too, but dh is more worried about West Nile.
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Dawn
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| Posted: July 07 2006 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
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Sarah wrote:
| I worry about the chemicals, too, but dh is more worried about West Nile. |
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I worry a lot about West Nile too. If I find it too hard to control mosquito exposure with the Buzz Away and by keeping inside early and late day (which we generally do) I will probably have to go with something stronger.
The hard thing is, ds reacts badly to strong chemicals and fumes. And by badly I mean he breaks out in a horrible rash *and* my sweet happy boy becomes a sobbing, angry mess of a kid.  He gets this way with strong perfume, play-do and even smelly glue, paint and markers! We try to use Feingold approved products as much as possible (Buzz Away is on the list) but we can't always control his exposure. 
I guess we'll take this time as a reminder to be much more diligent about applying (and reapplying) the spray and wearing long sleeves and pants when possible.
Btw, I posted another picture of my little guy looking better today.
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stacykay
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| Posted: July 07 2006 at 2:39pm | IP Logged
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Your poor little pumpkin!
I don't have any remedy suggestions for you. Just adding that my 2yo ds has the same problem with mosquitoes and perfumed lotions. Once, at the pede's, the dr. put his hand on ds, and when he took his hand away, there was a red hand outline on ds's chest. Our ped. washed his hands again, but didn't use the soap. We looked at the soap, but it was just a basic soap.
I carry benedryl with us and have epi-pens, just in case.
I am going to look into the basic-h. I just looked in the phone book, and found a couple local numbers, plus the 800 number for the company.
Thanks!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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Topic: mosquito bites
