Writer: Suphanida Thakral
Mosquito bites and living in tropical Thailand go hand in hand – especially if you have a baby that’s sensitive to mosquito bites like me.
Every time we’d go out for a walk (or even just have the windows or balcony door open in our Bangkok apartment), I’d be on hyper alert – scanning around for mosquitos like an X-ray machine and swatting them away from my baby.
I wasn’t being overly cautious. I simply had no other choice.
My daughter was (and, to an extent, still is) super sensitive to mosquito bites. She’d get bitten fast and the site of the bite would instantly swell up and turn bright red. She has been bitten on her eyelids, ears, face, arms, legs – you name it.
In the picture below, my daughter was 18 month old and was bitten by a mosquito on her left ear. It swelled up instantly and was even hot to touch. I panicked and took her straight to the pediatrician!
The Steroid Cream Cycle
Each time it’d happen (like in the incident described above), we’d run to the hospital and come back with steroid creams. Of course, if the mosquito bite reaction is severe or if it’s on sensitive areas like the face, then a trip to the pediatrician is warranted.
But in our case, we often ended up consulting our pediatrician more than we needed to. As you can see in the picture below, the bites on her legs weren’t as panic-inducing – yet I still made the journey to the hospital.
Looking back, it was a mix of:
- First-time mum syndrome
- The ease of accessing healthcare in Thailand
- Not knowing safe and natural remedies for mosquito bites
Discovering a Natural Remedy
One day, I was fed up with running to the hospital for each and every little bite – especially when they were mild ones on her arms or legs.
I didn’t want to build up a reliance on steroid creams if they weren’t absolutely necessary because overusing them can come with negative side effects.
On one of these occasions, I remembered advice from my Auntie, who’s a doctor of Thai Traditional Medicine.
She told me that certain essential oils are:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-microbial
- Cooling and soothing for irritated skin
Some of the most effective incldude peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree oil.
But here’s the catch.
Essential oils are incredibly potent and can’t be applied directly to a child’s skin. So we began experimenting by diluting them into gentle, cold-pressed base oils until we found the perfect balance.
When I tried it on my daughter, the relief was almost instant. The swelling went down, the rednessed softened, and my daughter wasn’t scratching herself as much.
And, just like that, the Innocence No Itch Bug Bite Relief Oil was born.
My Go-To Routine for Soothing Mosquito Bites
Over time, I’ve also learned helpful tricks from other mums, and here’s the simple method that works best for us.
Step 1: Wash the site of the bite immediately
Use soap and water* to wash the site of the bite as soon as you notice it. I’ve learned that this is to remove any residue of mosquito saliva which is often the cause of the reaction.
Note: If soap and water isn’t available – say, if you’re out at the playground, use cotton and saline instead.
Step 2: Apply the Innocence No Itch Bug Bite Relief Oil
Dab a little bit of the Innocence No Itch Bug Bite Relief Oil on the affected area as soon as possible after cleaning it.
Step 3: Reapply as needed
Continue applying the Innocence No Itch Bug Bite Relief Oil as needed over the next couple of hours – especially if the itching continues.
Mom Tip: Always follow your insticts. If there’s no improvement or if other symptoms appear, it’s best to see a doctor.
A Gentle Alternative for Sensitive Kids
The Innocence No Itch Bug Bite Relief Oil was born out of trial and error, but it’s now become a product we can’t do without. I always make sure we have plenty – especially when we’re out and about during the rainy season.
If your little one is as sensitive to mosquitos as mine, then I highly suggest giving the Innocence No Itch Bug Bite Relief Oil a try. The bonus is that it comes in a small bottle that’s conveninent to pop into your diaper bag!
Disclaimer: This product is recommended for infants above the age of 3 months. Always patch-test first by applying a small amount on your child’s foot and wait 24 hours to check for allergies.
