Symptoms of insect bites around the eye in children include:
- Pain in the eye area
- Swelling of the eye area and eyelids
- Redness around the bite
- Presence of pus or excessive eye discharge
- Insects fall into two categories: non-poisonous and poisonous. Recognizing specific signs when children are bitten around the eyes is crucial for appropriate treatment.
Non-poisonous Insects:
- Frequent itching
- Hives may appear in a localized area or all over the body
Poisonous Insects:
- Pain, swelling, and redness at the bite site
- Intense pain rather than itching
- Potential for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis due to venom allergy
- Swelling in the affected area, difficulty breathing, or the development of an itchy rash.
Is it harmful for children to experience insect bites around the eyes?
Considering the extreme sensitivity of the eyes, it is crucial to handle instances where children are bitten by insects in their eyes with utmost care and safety. Parents should exercise caution and promptly seek medical attention to mitigate the risk of infection for the child.
Failure to address the issue promptly may lead to various hazardous complications such as:
- Eye Edema: The eye area contains numerous nerves, and the thin skin around the eyes makes it susceptible to swelling when bitten by an insect.
- Tissue Enlargement: Some poisonous insects pose a risk of tissue enlargement in the eyelids, potentially hindering a child’s vision or preventing complete eye closure.
- Itching from bites may lead to infections and corneal scratches if accidentally scratched by the child.
- Eyelid Tears: Irritation of the eye mucosa may result in tearing of the eyelids.
- Infection Risk: Toxic substances from insects or the presence of viruses and bacteria carried by insects can infect children, impacting their overall health and well-being.
Guidelines for Managing Insect Bites and Swollen Eyes in Children
Upon discovering that a child has been bitten by an insect around the eye, parents should follow these steps to ensure the child’s safety:
Step 1: Safely Remove the Insect
Use small forceps, cotton swabs, or specialized medical tools to delicately separate the insect from the child’s skin. Avoid using your hands directly to squeeze, pat, or strike the insect forcefully, as this may release more toxins. Additionally, the insect’s proboscis is embedded in the skin at this point, so strong impact can drive the poison deeper, causing further harm to the child.
Step 2: Cleanse the Bite with Water
Considering the sensitivity of the eye area, parents should use only clean water to cleanse the affected area. Avoid using any chemicals such as soap, salt, or lemon. A clean towel or cotton swab dipped in water can be used to gently wipe the bite.
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
For the child’s utmost safety, parents are advised to take them to a medical center for proper treatment, especially in cases of bee stings, ant bites, bedbug bites, or tick bites.
Note: Avoid attempting home remedies, as the eyes are a critical area, and improper handling may lead to damage or the risk of blindness. Depending on the severity of the bite, the doctor will prescribe the most suitable treatment for the child, ensuring safety and effectiveness.
Read more: Dealing with Children’s Insect Bites and Swollen Hands
How to Minimize the Risk of Children Getting Bitten by Insects?
To reduce the likelihood of children being bitten by insects, parents can adopt the following measures to safeguard their children:
- Dress your child in long-sleeved, light-colored attire when outdoors to deter insect attraction. Minimize exposed skin to reduce the chance of insect bites.
- Keep children away from insect-prone areas such as bushes, densely wooded locations, stagnant ponds, and standing water.
- Empty containers promptly when not in use to prevent mosquito breeding.
- Install mosquito nets to protect your child during bedtime.
- Exercise caution when allowing children to interact with pets, as they may transmit lice and ticks.
- Maintain a clean and well-ventilated home to minimize insect habitation.
Bites from insects that result in swollen eyes can be dangerous if not handled correctly by parents. Refrain from applying any medication without a doctor’s prescription to ensure absolute safety and prevent the risk of eye damage or blindness in children.

Johnny Jacks was born in 1985 in Texas, USA. He is the founder of Good Health Plan and is passionate about helping people improve their health and physical well-being. With over a decade of experience working in the healthcare industry, he currently works at Goodheathplan.com – a blog that shares knowledge on beauty and health.