No matter how careful you are, children will get stung and bitten. In most cases, stings and bites are nothing to worry about, but it's worth taking care to prevent infection and a potentially serious reaction.
First of all, if you know there are biting or stinging insects near your nursery, advise parents to dress children in long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and to cover them with a child-friendly insect repellent (see box). Keep food and drink away from windows (which should be kept firmly shut or screened) and tables outdoors. Avoid planting flowers (particularly purple flowers, which attract bees) anywhere near a play area. Mosquito coils can be placed in unobtrusive spots.
Ask parents if their child has had a reaction to a bite or sting in the past, and keep a careful note - as well as a bottle of antihistamine to hand. Chlorphenamine appears to have the fewest side-effects and is safe for children of all ages.
Guide to bug busting
Bees: These leave stingers behind, attached to a venom sac. Try to remove it as quickly as possible with tweezers, or try scraping it out with a dull knife or the edge of a ruler. Wash the site carefully with soap and water and apply a little antiseptic cream. A cold pack will bring down swelling, and paracetamol can be given for pain and discomfort. A good natural remedy is to apply a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water to the sting to relieve swelling and pain.
Wasps: Wasp stings can be incredibly painful, and they often come in multiples, but don't leave a stinger behind. Follow the advice for bee stings, but instead of bicarbonate of soda, apply a compress of lemon juice to reduce swelling and pain.
Ants: Red ants move quickly and nip repeatedly. A little cold water on the bite will help, as will some calamine lotion to reduce itching. Watch out for reactions.
Mosquitoes: In some areas, mosquitoes pass on disease, such as the West Nile virus (now common in the US) and, in hot countries, malaria. Families should seek advice from their GP before visiting any countries where they might be at risk.
If a child in your care returns from abroad with a number of bites, it's important to watch out for reactions, which include fever, listlessness and unusual irritability. Unfortunately, most symptoms go unnoticed, so it might be worth suggesting that children see a doctor to rule out potential problems. Itching can be controlled with calamine cream. Use plenty of antiseptic cream as well, as little fingers often introduce a secondary bacterial infection. Advise parents to put on scratch mittens when a child is sleeping, to keep their fingernails short and to wash hands regularly.
Spiders: These bites are usually harmless. Some cold water and antiseptic cream will help to ease potential problems. If, however, the area becomes 'bruised' or livid in colour, or if a child appears weak or disorientated, get emergency medical care. Some spiders are poisonous.
- A sting anywhere inside a child's mouth should be seen by a doctor immediately, as any 'trauma' to mucous membranes can cause swelling that blocks the airways.
When to worry
If a child immediately suffers a rash, or a large area of swelling around a sting, or if pain and swelling continues for more than 72 hours, she needs medical attention.
You should seek immediate medical care at the following signs, which may indicate a serious or even life-threatening allergic reaction:
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- tightness in throat or chest
- swelling of the lips
- dizziness or fainting
- nausea or vomiting
Always take a child to hospital if they have had multiple stings. In their small bodies, venom can be toxic. RESOURCES AND REMEDIES
- Tea tree oil is a good natural antiseptic, and also an 'insecticide', so dab it neat on bites and stings, and use it in hot water when cleaning.
- If a child goes into shock, or struggles to breathe, put her in the recovery position, and call for an ambulance. All nurseries should have an EpiPen to hand in case of emergencies, and know how to use it. For information, see www.epipen.co.uk.
- A great source of information about stings and bites is available at www.traveldoctor.co.uk/stings.htm.
- Help children to understand which creepy crawlies are dangerous and how to avoid them. A good book is Will You Sting Me? Will You Bite?: The truth about scary-looking insects by Sara Swan Miller (Stemmer House Publishers, £8.99).
- Natural repellents are available at www.mypure.co.uk.
- Products to treat and prevent insect bites can be found at www.nealsyardremedies.com (search for 'insects' or 'bite').
