Children love the warmer weather and increased hours of daylight in the spring and summer. Unfortunately, so do insects. And insects love children. The hallmark of insect bite treatment is prevention. The best product available contains N,N-diethyl-m-polyamide, commonly known as DEET. Products with up to 10% DEET are safe and effective means of lowering your child's attractiveness to biting bugs. DEET can be safely used on all children but be wary of placing it on the hands of small children (as it may be ingested) and also away from their eyes, mouth, and any cuts. Combination products with insect repellent and sunscreen tend to lower the effectiveness of the sunscreen. The same holds true if you apply the products individually. Therefore, it is wise to select an SPF factor higher than what you might normally otherwise choose. For complete instructions, read the product labels thoroughly.

If your child does sustain insect bite(s), keeping them clean with soap and water will help to prevent infection. If your child has diffuse swelling or difficulty breathing following an insect bite, seek medical attention immediately. The vast majority of insect bites resolve spontaneously, but if you have a question regarding possible infection or the offending insect, contact your doctor.