Scratching Bug Bites until they Bleed

[BumbleBee]

I have a dck who comes in every day with multiple bug bites (mosquitos mostly). Dck scratches & scratches until the bug bites bleed. I'm tired of doing the same routine every day: *scratch scratch scratch* I put on anti-itch cream, *scratch scratch scratch until bleeding* put on band aids.

So far today we're up to 17 band aids. After using all of my bandaids I made mom supply them - and the cream. Every day it's the same excuse "we forgot to put bug spray on."

WWYD?

[Blackcat31]

If it gets that bad...I'd have mom dress the child in long sleeves so they can't scratch and I'd require the fingernails to be kept really short too.

I would ask mom to supply band-aides and cream and the next time she said "they forgot" about the bug spray, I would tell them once she heals this time she will be excluded from now on if they continue to forget....

Why should their forgetfulness be YOUR problem?

Also, they should consider giving her an antihistamine like Bendryl as I think that stops the itching a bit so the poor kid can be somewhat comfortable.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Don't allow the child in without bug spray on and band-aids covering all existing bug bites + extra band-aids for your use should they come off.

"Woops, mom! I can't smell any bug spray on Junior. I'll need you to take him home and apply it before I can accept him into care. Thank you for understanding! " walk away.

[melilley]

Don't allow the child in without bug spray on and band-aids covering all existing bug bites + extra band-aids for your use should they come off.

"Woops, mom! I can't smell any bug spray on Junior. I'll need you to take him home and apply it before I can accept him into care. Thank you for understanding! " walk away.

Plus exposure to blood is a bio-hazard. Poor child! How can you forget all the time to put on bug spray?

[BumbleBee]

Should probably clarify - the bites aren't happening here, they're happening at home (dck plays in the field behind their house in the evening w/o bug spray) - grass is about 2 ft high and lots of dips where shallow water is stagnant) I have permission slips for bug spray and put it on when we walk the trails in the woods...otherwise we really don't use it because we don't have a mosquito issue where we play.

[melilley]

Should probably clarify - the bites aren't happening here, they're happening at home (dck plays in the field behind their house in the evening w/o bug spray) - grass is about 2 ft high and lots of dips where shallow water is stagnant) I have permission slips for bug spray and put it on when we walk the trails in the woods...otherwise we really don't use it because we don't have a mosquito issue where we play.

I probably said what I said the wrong way- I meant how can parent's forget to put on but spray at home? I have one child here who has bug bites all the time, also from home. One day he looked like he had chicken pox! They weren't bleeding, but still!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Should probably clarify - the bites aren't happening here, they're happening at home (dck plays in the field behind their house in the evening w/o bug spray) - grass is about 2 ft high and lots of dips where shallow water is stagnant) I have permission slips for bug spray and put it on when we walk the trails in the woods...otherwise we really don't use it because we don't have a mosquito issue where we play.

Then Mom needs to put on long sleeves, like BlackCat said, and band-aids before arrival plus short nails. There is no way I'd have a child bleeding all over in care day after day!

[Michael]

If you tell the mom that the blood exposure can not be tolerated and he will have to be termed I bet she remembers to use the bug spray at home.

[Cat Herder]

In all honesty, I'd just handle it myself.

1. I'd use backward footed PJ's over clothing during the day, at my home, until healed. (after treating wounds, of course ) I'd keep nails trimmed and hands clean to prevent further injury and possible infection..

2. Before sending DCK home each day I'd rub them down with Off deep woods dry oil spray. It will protect them until bath and bedtime at their home.

It takes care of my needs AND dck's needs, so I'd consider it a win. I really have just come to the point that I only talk to parents about issues I can't come up with a solution for myself.

I know it is not my responsibility, I just won't let things effect my time too much. Bonus, parents think I rock (tongue in cheek). happyface

[cheerfuldom]

In all honesty, I'd just handle it myself.

1. I'd use backward footed PJ's over clothing during the day, at my home, until healed. (after treating wounds, of course ) I'd keep nails trimmed and hands clean to prevent further injury and possible infection..

2. Before sending DCK home each day I'd rub them down with Off deep woods dry oil spray. It will protect them until bath and bedtime at their home.

It takes care of my needs AND dck's needs, so I'd consider it a win. I really have just come to the point that I only talk to parents about issues I can't come up with a solution for myself.

I know it is not my responsibility, I just won't let things effect my time too much. Bonus, parents think I rock (tongue in cheek). happyface

I agree with this. I just plain out don't mention anything to the parents unless there is something specific I am demanding they do about it. I have use the pjs on backward situation with a kid before. I am not above scrubbing down those hands and clipping nails myself as well as spraying the kid down before they head for home. There are just too many things that parents forget and I really would just rather do a little extra than deal with trying to get the parents to do it. If its not a term worthy offense, I would not bring it up assuming parents dont ask. Investing in a pair or two of jammies in that size (that can be reused in the future) and some bug spray is far less a headache than bugging mom for cream and band aids, dealing with excuses every morning and scratching all day.

[daycarediva]

It IS serious and I would address it as such. These are open, bloody wounds. I had a similar issue in May, dcg contracted impetigo from scratching bug bites and I excluded her until they were healed over and one developed into MRSA. She was in the hospital for a week and out of care for almost a month because dcp's forgot bug spray during a week long camping trip. They, of course, didn't have a single bug bite.