"Oops, I got bitten by mosquitoes again." "Quick, use mosquito repellent to apply." This is a common situation during the summer when people are relaxing outdoors. However, experts say that not everyone can use this method, as it may cause contact dermatitis in some people with sensitive skin. Mosquito bites can lead to insect bite dermatitis. "Insect bite dermatitis" is caused by mites such as dust mites, flour mites, and house mites biting the skin, secreting neurotoxins and hemolysins that cause itching, edematous erythema, hives, and blisters. The intense itching caused by mite bites is especially pronounced at night. Doctors say that mosquito repellent does not have any therapeutic effect and can only provide a cooling and itching relief. Furthermore, if too much menthol and camphor, which are ingredients in mosquito repellent, are applied to the affected area, it may not only fail to improve local inflammation, but also cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
In addition, there are many misconceptions when using mosquito repellent. It contains a component called "imidacloprid" that can make mosquitoes lose their awareness of biting humans. If mosquito repellent is applied to inflamed skin, it not only fails to treat dermatitis, but the imidacloprid can also cause allergic reactions and worsen dermatitis symptoms.
Patients with dermatitis can drip 4-5 drops of mosquito repellent on an electric mosquito repellent mat, which can repel mosquitoes and prevent skin allergies. Some people tend to use excessive amounts of mosquito repellent to enhance its effectiveness, often pouring a lot of mosquito repellent on various parts of the body to avoid mosquito bites. However, this may cause itching and sweating symptoms in some individuals. Therefore, it is important to use an appropriate amount of mosquito repellent to avoid adverse reactions.
Children should not use adult mosquito repellent. Pediatric experts recommend using specialized mosquito repellents for children. If mosquito repellent is used during bathing, it should be diluted 4-5 times and direct contact with the child's eyes should be avoided. In addition to the above usage taboos, clever use of mosquito repellent can also improve the living environment. For example, dripping 4-5 drops of mosquito repellent into laundry and soaking for 15 minutes before washing can make clothes fragrant. Dripping 2 drops when wiping furniture can have a disinfecting and antibacterial effect. Carrying a bottle of spray mosquito repellent when going out and spraying once every 4 hours can have a disinfecting effect.
After applying mosquito repellent, it is important to be aware of the precautions: avoid using or storing near a source of fire. This is because mosquito repellent contains 75% alcohol and 5% fragrance, which can ignite when exposed to a source of fire. Therefore, after applying mosquito repellent, do not immediately use fire or approach a source of fire, such as lighting mosquito coils, smoking, or using gas stoves with open flames, as it poses a risk to personal safety.
Mosquito repellent should be applied in moderate amounts on the arms and legs, where mosquitoes commonly bite. For people with sensitive skin, mosquito repellent can be dripped onto an electric mosquito repellent mat or opened cooling oil placed by the bed to repel mosquitoes and prevent skin allergies. When using mosquito repellent on children, it should be diluted by about 4 times to avoid irritating their delicate skin.
Doctors remind us that if accidentally bitten by poisonous mosquitoes, avoid scratching to prevent infection. Instead, apply calamine lotion or corticosteroid cream. If the rash is extensive, severe itching, or infection occurs, it is best to avoid using topical medications and seek prompt medical attention.
If children are bitten by insects, do not self-medicate, it is best to seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor.
Editor's Note: Skin diseases are often treated with topical medications. Although they are applied externally, there are still certain things to consider. Only by mastering the correct method of application can the desired effect be achieved. Before applying medication, the skin should be cleaned to improve the effectiveness. The concentration of the medication should not be too high to avoid excessive irritation or allergic reactions. It is important to avoid using too many different types of medications and be aware of incompatible combinations.
