If you’re a mom, you already know how fast it happens.
One minute they’re playing the next minute there is drama and tears.Stings and bites are usually worse in the summer so I usually get a little kit ready in the spring.
My Summer Sting Kit
Nothing fancy, just a few things that make everything easier when something happens.
A small cold pack (for swelling straight away)
Antihistamine cream for itching and a small bottle of antihistamine syrup
Aloe vera gel (this one gets used a lot)
A couple of antiseptic wipes
Tweezers (for splinters or stingers)
Calamine lotion for rashes
Tick remover
Plasters
It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you really need it and you freak out and get stressed when your’e trying to identify the sting and your child is having a meltdown.
Most bites and stings aren’t serious but sometimes its hard to tell especially if for example they have never been bitten by a bee. My 7yr old got bitten a few years ago and his hand was swollen up like a balloon so am very wary that he might actually be allergic and a bee or wasp allergy can be very serious especially if stung on the face or throat from. drinking out of a can or bottle, how you react in those first few minutes really matters.
Chemical Reactions Not Injuries
I used to think bites and stings were injuries but they’re reactions. Something gets into the skin, a venom, saliva, or plant chemical body reacts to it. That’s why the itching, swelling, and redness happen. You’re not trying to fix the bite, you’re calming the reaction so the sting usually goes away quite soon.
When my child gets stung, this is what I do
I check for a stinger and gently scrape it out or use tweezers.
I put the cold press on it.
If it’s sore or swollen, I use antihistamine cream or syrup if it is not going away.
Check on it to see if it gets worse over next few days.
Put a plaster on it especially if your child will scratch because it can cause infection.
Acting quickly makes a huge difference.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is The faster you deal with it, the less reaction so get the sting out as soon as possible.
Tick Bites
Ticks can be very serious and deserve an article of their own but should be removed very carefully with tweezers or a tick remover. If its been attached for longer than 24hrs I would definitely go and see a doctor as ticks can make you very sick.
This is a recipe for a natural tick repellant that I would advise every mom to keep in their handbag especially during spring and summer.
What you need:
4 oz/120ml spray bottle
Apple cider vinegar (about 1/3 of the bottle)
Distilled or filtered water (to top up)
5–6 drops geranium essential oil
5–6 drops cedarwood essential oil
3–4 drops citronella essential oil
How to make it:
Fill the bottle 1/3 with apple cider vinegar
Top up with water or witch hazel
Add 7–8 drops of each oil (at least geranium and cedarwood)
Spray around ankles, feet, and legs, especially if you’re in long grass or woods.
(Avoid face, eyes, ears, and nose.)
I always:
Use a small amount first
Avoid using it on very young children
Skip it completely if there’s sensitive skin or eczema
Always dilute essential oils well for children, avoid applying just before direct sun exposure, and skip any oils if your child has sensitive skin.
Mosquito Bites (The Constant Battle)
These are the ones that never seem to stop.
The hardest part isn’t the bite, it’s stopping the scratching and preventing infection.
What I do:
I put something cool on it straight away
I use a soothing cream if it’s really itchy
And I keep reminding them not to scratch (even though that’s easier said than done)
Adding vitamin B1 in the form of Gummies also keeps Mozzies away.
Ant Stings (The Ones That Burn)
Some ant bites can really hurt, especially the more aggressive ones.
What I do:
Wash the area gently.
Use something soothing like lotion.
Apply the cold press.
Buy an ice cream its amazing how it calms them down.
Spider Bites
Spiders really freak me out they usually look so scary and most of the time they are harmless but there are a few that can cause serious harm.
What I do:
Clean the area properly
Keep it cool
Keep an eye on it
If anything changes or looks worse, that’s when I’d get it checked.
Plant Stings (Like Nettles)
These are surprisingly common if your kids like being outdoors.
If they brush against something and get that sudden sting:
I rinse the area gently
I avoid rubbing it (this makes it worse)
I cool it down and use a soothing cream if needed
Have alook at the plant and identify it to check if its serious
That burning feeling usually fades quite quickly once you treat it. Nature usually has a clever antidote to the sting growing in the same area that will soothe it to some degree which I find fancinating and so clever.
Danger Signals
If I ever see:
Trouble breathing
Swelling that keeps getting worse
Dizziness or unusual reactions
I don’t wait, I will get help straight away.
We can’t stop our kids from getting bitten or stung. But we can be prepared to make it a little better.
If You’re Curious
I ended up wanting to understand the stings you get from plants especially how plants and natural toxins actually work, and what helps counter them.
So I put together a simple guide on poisonous plants and antidotes, written in a way that actually makes sense for everyday life called The Poisoner’s Garden: Nature’s Deadliest Toxins and the Secret Cures Growing Right Next to Them.
It Breaks Down
The most dangerous plants
What to watch for
What actually helps
It’s written in a way that’s easy for anyone to understand and practical to have on hand.
You can find it on my Buymeacoffee site.
Cally