Can newborns use medicated oil (e.g., Fengyoujing) to repel mosquitoes?

Newborns should not use medicated oil (e.g., wind oil) for mosquito repellent. The ingredients in medicated oil may have adverse effects on newborns. Instead, physical methods of mosquito prevention can be used, or medications may be applied under the guidance of a professional doctor.

Medicated oil mainly contains camphor and menthol, as well as eucalyptus oil and eugenol, all of which are relatively irritating to newborns. Since newborns' organs are not yet fully developed, they have poor tolerance to irritants. Prolonged exposure to the vapors from medicated oil may cause respiratory abnormalities, including congestion and swelling of the respiratory mucosa, leading to inflammation and symptoms such as coughing. Continuous exposure to the smell of medicated oil may also affect a newborn's appetite, causing nausea, refusal to feed, bloating, and other digestive system disturbances.

To protect newborns from mosquitoes, safer physical methods should be adopted, such as installing window screens, or ensuring that any mosquito-repellent liquids have completely evaporated and left no odor before allowing the newborn into the room. If a newborn is bitten by insects and develops local redness and swelling, calamine lotion or erythromycin ointment may be used under a doctor's guidance to relieve itching.