Insect Repellent - Austin,TX

Updated on September 24, 2008
B.B. asks from Austin, TX
29 answers

Any suggestions on what type of insect repellent to use on a toddler. She seems to be allergic to bites, as they make big red bumps, not sure what type is the best to use, she plays outside and it is either mesquites or nats that are bitting her.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

Bananas and cream on the bottom. When antibiotics are finished - then put her on probiotics to give her back the good bacteria she needs to be healthy.

L.H.

answers from Austin on

oops, answered the wrong question. A great thing for bug bites is a laundry bar soap you can get at Randalls and maybe HEB. IT's called Fels-Naptha and you find it in the laundry section but it is a BAR.
L.

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S.V.

answers from Houston on

I very much like the one Avon makes, but I forgot the full name is something called bug something. Avon has it for kids and adults. Ask somebody who sell Avon and they should know what I am talking about and it smells great also. Good luck to you!!!
S.

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L.B.

answers from Houston on

Our pediatrician recommended Cutter Advanced. It does not contain DEET, so it is not quite as effective but it is not as toxic to children, either. They make it in a wipe form, which is nice to smooth over a little one's skin, but the pediatrician said to make sure and really douse the clothing and apply more lightly to the skin to prevent her from absorbing too much. Hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Victoria on

I see some mommies have already posted about it but just wanted you to know that i also use the vanilla as a insect repellant and it works great. i cant use regular mosquito spray, it burns my skin and i get a rash that looks like sunburn.... for a while something was getting in my sons crib and biting him at night i finally sprayed some of the vanilla mixture in his crib, just a light mist and the mysterious bites stopped when washing sheets, inspecting bed every nite didnt work. hope this helps
A.

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C.T.

answers from Houston on

My dr. suggested to use the family care off.

It has low deet.

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K.H.

answers from Houston on

B.,
Looks like you've gotten some great advice on repellant. We've used dryer sheets wiped on their arms and legs and then stuck in a back pocket before, although I'm not sure how effective that is against determined mosquitos.

But, after the bite, I recommend a clear, alcohol based gel rather than a white cream (like Benadryl). I'm very allergic to mosquito bites (as are my poor children who got that from me) and the best product I've found for reducing swelling as well as itchiness is those alcohol based gels. The product Ive been using most recently is made by Band-Aid.

The only other advice I have is no matter what prpduct you use afterwards, get that anti-itch stuff on the bite(s) as quickly as possible. I actually carry it in my purse during the summer months especially. It seems that the faster you get that stuff on the bite, the less severe the reaction.

Good luck to you.
K.
TheMommyJournal.com

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J.L.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi B.,
about the insect repellent, Avon has a Skin SO Soft bug spray and I think they also have one that is combined with sun block and I know of mothers who buy ten bottles at a time because they say it's the best!
As for your diarrhea, that's a normal side affect of antibiotics. You could try feeding her "binding" foods such as toast, applesauce, bananas, oatmeal...to help hold things together a little more. As for her bottom, I think the Boudreax's (sp?) 'Butt' paste is the best. Just ask the pharmacist for the strongest stuff. Vaseline is an option too I think. My daughter had that problem too (it's a LONG story) and her bottom would actually bleed. Poor little girls...
Hope things work out

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S.E.

answers from Houston on

I am responding to the loose stools with the use of antibiotics. I have been giving my son, who is now 15 months old, acidophilus daily even when he isn't on antibiotics as this helps to regulate the digestive system, prevents yeast diaper rashes and also helps boost the immune system. You can purchase probiotics/acidophilus in a few different forms (capsule, powder). I found a container of just the powder at the health food store and it is especially for infants/children or you can just purchase the capsules that are refrigerated at the health food store and open them and put them in juice, applesauce, etc. About 1/2 tsp a day during the course of antibiotics and then for at least 2 weeks following the final dose. Hopefully it will help with the loose stools.

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M.C.

answers from Houston on

Hi B., OFF makes an all natural, plant based insect repellent. It comes in a light greenish-blue bottle and should be available at your local drugstore or grocery store. (I think I bought mine at WalMart).

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C.F.

answers from Houston on

I know this sounds crazy. But it works! try roll on deoderant. Any kind! It's something in the deoderant. But it has to be the roll on kind! for the bites and listerine as a repellant!

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J.W.

answers from Houston on

B.
Citronella Oil is a natural insect repellant.
Place a few drops on her bedding at night and ensure you use a mosquito net.
Burn a Citronella candle out of her reach if you are outdoors in the evenings when the mozzies come out to bite.
Take a good look around your garden for any containers which are holding stagnant water for breeding mosquitos and get rid of them.
If you are unsure about using Citronella Oil, please ask your pharmacy as concentrates can burn baby skin.

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M.D.

answers from Brownsville on

We have tons mosquitoes here and are very often outdoors. I read and tried Vanilla solution on my little one, he is only 9 months and it seemed to have been more effective than anything else out there. Just add half water and half pure vanilla in a little spray bottle. No side effects beside the nice smell.

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K.C.

answers from Austin on

Skin So Soft by Avon might be OK. It has been used for years by SCUBA divers, even when visiting Central America jungles. Check the ingrediants with your doctor before using though.

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L.B.

answers from Houston on

Here is a homemade recipe for insect repellent. You should be able to purchase the items at a health food store.

What you'll need:
2 cups catnip, stemmed
1 cup dried peppermint
1 cup rosemary, cut into 6-inch sprigs
2 cups grape seed oil or almond oil

Directions:
Place herbs on a cutting board or counter, and lightly crush them with a rolling pin. Place them into a clean glass jar with a screw-on lid. Pour in the oil, seal the jar and place in a cool, dark cupboard for two weeks. Lightly shake the jar once a day for two weeks. Strain into a clean jar, seal and refrigerate (it will keep for up to 8 months). To use, rub on exposed skin.

Good Luck! Hope you find something that works on her sensitive skin!

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M.S.

answers from College Station on

The best thing I have ever used is not a repellent! It is a patch. It is ALL natural and only has B12 and aloe in it and b/c it is all natural, it is SAFE for kids too. My kids LOVE it. I place it on their back or behind and you don't have to worry about any spray. A lady at my church helped develop them. They have even been on Good Morning, America. The website is www.dontbitemepatch.com

They are carried in some stores. If you check out the site, you can see where they might be located in your area or you can order directly from the site.

Blessings,
M.
Mom to 5 Wonderful Kids
www.4MyChildrenSake.com

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K.H.

answers from Killeen on

OK, not sure which question needs the response. the daily email has the question about antibiotics and the mamasource has the bug question.
SO here goes. Antibiotics often cause loose stools. I go with the BRAT (bananas rice applesauce toast) don't use fruit juice as it to much sugar which adds to the loose stools and the red bottom from to much acid in the stools. Yogurt is good to help keep from getting yeast infections and help rebuild the "good" enzymes in her system. But not to much as the dairy is not all that great for loose stools.
and for the bug bites I use ...and I'm not kidding...mouthwash. I put mouth wash in a spray bottle and spray it on my kids and their clothes, but not on the face as if they sweat it will run on the eyes and burn. For the bite unless she is over 6 years old she is to young for benadryl except if the doctor tells you to use it they will tell you how much. Be careful with it as it is very easy to OD on, and it slows the breathing in small children. I also found a product called "AfterBite" it comes in a tube and you just apply it to the bite, it seems to help the itch. The doctor also recommended hydracortizone cream. Good Luck Hope they feel better soon.

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K.A.

answers from Houston on

Avon has insect repellent that is made for children. You can go online and find a representative near you.

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K.S.

answers from College Station on

I found some natural bug spray called Natrapel Plus I think at Toys r Us.
K.

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M.D.

answers from Victoria on

I always used the Off family skintastic with my children (3 & 5 now). They sell them in wipes which prevents it from getting in their eyes. Most of the time I get Yard Guard and spray the entire yard 30 min. prior to them playing outside. It usually helps. If they do get bites I use this little roll-on stick called BiteMD by Cutter. It works great to get rid of the itch and keeps the bites from getting big and red. Oh, I did read on the Internet that by putting a Bounce in your pocket it's suppose to repel mosquitos. Never tried it though, but it might work.

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L.H.

answers from Killeen on

Hi B.,,,,
my children are grown now but when they were small i was told to try real vanilla extrac and i've been using it every since just rub with a finger up and down legs arms face anywhere ,,,and you also smell good
good luck L.
p.s. i hope it works for you as well as it has for me

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M.T.

answers from Austin on

well if she is old enough to eat table food you can give her yogurt the live cultures in it will help restore some of the good bacteria in her tummy and make her not have such bad runny poo..it wont take it away completely but it will help

A.W.

answers from Houston on

Hi B.,
I am a mosquito magnet & so is my 14 month old. Here is what we use. It's easy to do, and it really works. And it's nontoxic. DEET products are too toxic and should never be used, epecially around children, especially on their skin.

Vanilla home remedy for personal use:
8 oz water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp. orange oil
Spray on liberally.
Be sure to reapply after an hour or so.

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T.E.

answers from Houston on

I think some brands like OFF make a kids formula.
When she gets a bite make sure that she gets a benadryl (kids fromula) to help reduce the swelling.(my kids are allergic to them.too)
Just to be sure, talk to her DR. to make sure that any medicine to give for the bug bites is safe.

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D.J.

answers from Austin on

Antibiotics almost always disrupt the natural balance in the little ones' intestines. My son had a UTI and had to get on antibiotics, and our pediatrician had us buy Infant Probiotics to help with the diarrhea from the medicine. You can buy them at Whole Foods, ask the doc for the recommended dose, our 4 month old never had any problems. Good luck!!

E.A.

answers from Atlanta on

Sounds like a yeast infection from antibiotics (although it could also be that the antibiotics are causing digestive havoc on her... and her stools may have a lot of digestive enzymes which could be causing a rash)
1.) Get the 7-day yeast cream and smear on her bottom like diaper cream; you should use the yeast cream 3 times a day, once in the morning after waking up, once after nap, once before bed. It will take 3 days for the redness to disappear.
2.) You might also want to get some Triple Paste diaper cream (sold it at CVS and Wallgreens). Yes, you will be shocked at how expensive Triple Paste is!-- but its the only thing I found that actually works to soothe a bad diaper rash.
3.) Give her a infant tylonal or motrin for the pain.
4.) While the rash is really red, stop using diaper wipes. My daughter will howl if I use wipes when she has a yeast rash.. somthing is in them that must burn when you have a rash. Use soapy warm water and wash cloths instead (if that grosses you out to reuse the wash cloths after cleaning her dirty diapers with them, then keep them as "diaper rags" and throw them out after her rash is gone). Tip: Use a spray bottle to spray the water instead of running back and forth between the sink (you can get one at CVS or Wallgreens also). Hence, if the rash is from enzymes on her skin and not yeast, then by using soap and water, you'll be cleaning it off as well as possible while the skin heals.

My daughter was on a lot of antibiotics as an infant and toddler... It broke my heart to see her cry when she pee'd in her diaper from the yeast rash. I gladly paid $20 for the Triple Paste and $7 for the yeast cream so she'd feel better.

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A.R.

answers from Austin on

For loose stools because of antibiotics, I would put her on probiotics. Yogurt is good for that or ask the folks at Peoples pharmacy--they can recommend something. Probiotics have worked wonders when my kids were on antibiotics.

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T.V.

answers from Austin on

Hi B.,

Don't know what happened to your questions on antibiotics and loose stools, but I'll answer anyway.

Your child needs to eat yogurt to put the good bacteria back in the intestine. Also, bananas and applesauce will help 'bind' so the stool won't be so runny.

T.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

Hi you might want to try orignal skin so soft with two drops of tea tree oil. Apply this to the inside of her arm first to make sure she is not going to have a reaction. bugs don't like the smell it is not a chemical that could harm your grandaugter breathing as some sprays out there can. D. Savage, LMT, CAP, and natural health ____@____.com

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