Breaking the Chain: Exploring Child-Focused Malaria Interventions

Top 10 Natural Ways to Prevent Malaria in Children

 Malaria is a fatal disease which spread by a mosquito. This disease mostly occurs in countries that live in tropical and subtropical regions. Malaria could be prevented with medical treatment. But we want to tell you some natural ways that you can defend your child from this deadly disease. Here is a guide about the top natural ways to protect your child from malaria.

1. Mosquito-repellent Plants

 Several plants naturally repel mosquitoes! Use in your gardening or your home:

  •  Citronella: Commonly used in candles and sprays, citronella is a solid incidental mosquito repellent. Planting citronella in your garden can help form a natural barrier. 
  •  Lavender: The gentle floral hum and scent of lavender will lull you to calm slumber at night. And the mosquitoes will flee. Plant lavender all around your house, or put lavender essential oil into diffusers. 
  •  Marigolds: The bright flowers contain pyrethrum, a natural insect repellent. Planting marigolds near your outdoor space will keep away mosquitoes. 
  •  Basil: It’s been shown that the aroma of basil helps to keep mosquitoes away. Place basil plants in pots throughout your home to gain a little added protection.

2. Essential Oils

 Repel mosquitoes with essential oils from plants That oil comes from cinnamon leaves catnip lemon eucalyptus peppermint soldier’s garlic

  •  Eucalyptus Oil: Of course, the strong aroma of this oil is what it’s most famous for, and it is an effective repellent for mosquitos. You’ll want to dilute it with a carrier, such as water, orange oil, grapeseed oil, almond, or soybean oil, before using it on your child’s skin.
  •  Carrier Oil: Tea Tree Oil: Mosquitoes dislike tea tree oil, and the medicated oil can be mixed with other carrier oils and applied. 
  •  Peppermint Oil: Although the oil of peppermint smells great, mosquitoes hate it. You can use it in a diffuser or dilute it and apply it topically.

3. Maintain a Clean Environment

Clean surroundings prevent mosquito breeding. Use these tips for minimizing mosquito breeding grounds: There are various aspects of the aforementioned argument that require critique. Two of these fallacies that are contained within this argument are the slippery slope fallacy and anthropomorphism. To begin with, the slippery slope fallacy argues that one event leads to another. For example, suppose it’s argued that the act of testing one illegal drug could lead to the legalization of all illegal drugs. This argument stipulates that because hundreds of people first jumped off bridges, which led to thousands of people also jumping.

  •  Discourage Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Empty buckets, flower pots, and bird baths.
  •  Gutter and drains: Clean out debris from gutters and drains so water can flow unimpeded; standing water can cause damage.
  • Over Water Storage Containers  C  Cover any water containers (such as barrels or tanks) with tight lids.

4. Use Mosquito Netting

 Mosquitoes netting can be an effective natural barrier to mosquitoes: use it this way: Mosquitoes are aggressive biters and can transmit harmful diseases including malaria, swine flu, and even horse sickness. To avoid being bitten, a natural barrier such as mosquito netting should be used. This barrier, which the insects cannot penetrate, will greatly reduce the chances of contact between you and the mosquitoes.

  •  Bed Nets: Hang mosquito nets over beds in areas where there is a high risk of mosquito bites and tuck them in to prevent mosquitoes from coming in.
  •  Window Screens: Put screens on your doors and windows. Mosquitoes aren’t able to get into your home if they can’t get inside.
  •  Netted Play Areas: If your children like to play outdoors, consider a netted play tent or area to shield them from mosquitoes.

5. Dress Children in Protective Clothing

 Clothes will act like a physical barrier between mosquitoes and your child’s skin. To ensure protection, you can follow these tips.

  •  Colored Clothes: Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. Wear light-coloured clothes to ward off mosquitoes.
  •  Long Sleeves and Pants: When traveling in mosquito-prone areas, cover your child’s skin as much as possible by dressing him or her in long sleeves and pants.
  •  Treated Clothing: Treated with permethrin. Treat clothing for additional protection; check the label for child-safe application. 

6. Use Natural Mosquito Repellent Sprays

 Natural mosquito repellent sprays can be applied to the skin and clothes. Sprays should contain the following ingredients:

  •   Lemon Eucalyptus Oil: A natural mosquito repellant, it’s also found in many commercial repellents.
  •  Neem Oil: Insect repellent. Mosquitoes hate it. Use it to make a homemade mosquito repellent. 
  •  An example of such an unpleasant food for mosquitoes is Garlic: The smell of garlic scares mosquitoes. Sprays containing garlic could be a good repellent.

7. Encourage Mosquito-Eating Animals

Certain animals feed on mosquitoes and can help keep their population under control:

  •  Bats: bats are predators of mosquitoes. Many people set up bat houses in their yards to get them to come.
  •  Birds: Other hungry mosquito eaters – such as swallows and purple martins – can be attracted to bird-friendly gardens. 
  •  Thirdly, there are some fish, like the mosquito fish (Gambusia), which eat the larvae of certain mosquitoes. You might like to add some of these to a pond to keep the larvae under control. 

8. Use Natural Mosquito Traps

Homemade mosquito traps can help reduce mosquito populations around your home:

  •  Homemade sugar and yeast trap: Place sugar, yeast, and water lure in a container with a funnel where mosquitoes can enter and be trapped. 
  •  CO2 Traps: Use yeast with sugar water to produce carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.

9. Limit Outdoor Activity During Peak Times

 Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and twilight. You may try these measures to minimize the risk of mosquito bites: 

  •  Stay off the streets during peak times: Keep your child indoors during the early morning and late evening, when the mosquitoes are most active.
  •  Keep the inside bug-free: Keep play inside and seal doors and windows. Relax while playing: If your child has to play outdoors, then cover her play area with insecticide nets or repellents.

10. Promote Healthy Living

Living healthily can help your child’s body fend off mosquito-borne maladies. Try these strategies: 

  •  Eating healthy diet will keep your child’s immune system in good condition. This will help your child stay disease-free.
  • Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration helps maintain overall health and can aid in disease prevention.
  •  Get Enough Shut-Eye: your child’s immune system will be better able to withstand infection with a good night’s sleep. 

 Preventing your child from catching malaria is a combination of natural methods and vigilance But when mixed, these top 10 natural ways to protect your child from malaria will make you less susceptible to mosquitoes and create a safer environment. Always factor in local advice and guidelines where there is a known risk of malaria.