Mosquito Bites: Everything You Need to Know

What are Mosquito Bites?

A mosquito bite occurs when a mosquito uses its specialized mouthparts, called a proboscis, to pierce the skin of a human or animal to feed on blood. The process involves several steps:

1. Feeding:

The mosquito punctures the skin to access blood vessels. In the process, it injects saliva containing anticoagulants to prevent the blood from clotting while it feeds.

2. Reaction:

The immune system reacts to the foreign proteins in the mosquito's saliva, leading to an inflammatory response. This is what causes the itching, swelling, and redness typically associated with mosquito bites.

Why do mosquito bites itch?

While sucking human blood, mosquitoes secrete their saliva. The saliva enters your body as an allergen. Now, your body’s immune system will act to get rid of this allergen. In this process, it secretes a chemical, histamine which on reacting with the saliva of the mosquito, can cause itching, swelling, and redness.

Diseases spread by mosquito bites

Mosquitoes are the carriers of some severe and not-so-severe ailments such as —

• Dengue

The Aedes aegypti species of mosquito bites can cause dengue. Most of the symptoms of dengue are quite similar to those of the flu. However, dengue can also lead to severe fatigue, pain in the muscles, and nausea.

• Malaria

The Anopheles species of mosquito causes malaria. Fever, headache, body chills, and nausea are the common symptoms.

• Chikungunya

This is caused by the mosquito bites of the Aedes aegypti species. Apart from flu and fever-like symptoms, Chikungunya is accompanied by severe pain in the joints, fatigue, and skin rashes.

• Yellow Fever

This is also caused by the Aedes aegypti species of mosquito. Headache, fatigue, back pain, muscle pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite are the common causes of yellow fever.

• Zika

This condition is caused by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Transmission of the virus from one person to another happens through sexual activities. Fever, headache, muscle pain, skin rashes, and eye irritation are the common symptoms of this ailment.

• West Nile Virus

Mosquito bites of the Culex species cause West Nile Virus. Fever, headache, stiff neck, seizures, distorted thinking, coma, etc., are the symptoms of this condition.

Who is at risk of being bitten?

You are at a higher risk of mosquito bites than others if you:

• Wear dark clothes while stepping out

• Apply perfume

• Belong to a particular blood type and body temperature (Certain blood types and body temperatures attract mosquitoes)

• Travel to a place that is prone to mosquito-borne ailments

• Spend a lot of time near mosquito-breeding places like damp spots and accumulated water

Symptoms of Mosquito Bites

• Itching sensation

• Irritation and redness of skin

• Circle-shaped bump in the place of the bite

• Swelling in the throat, hives, wheezing, nausea, and other allergic reactions

• Symptoms of specific ailments caused by mosquitoes (fever, body pain, joint pain, headache, etc.)

How are mosquito bites treated?

In most cases, mosquito bites don’t need any treatments. The itching, circular bumps, and redness will go away on its own. However, if you start developing symptoms within a week of getting the bite, you must seek medical help immediately. Your doctor will diagnose your ailment and proceed with the appropriate treatment.

How do I stop mosquito bites from itching?

The histamine produced by your body reacts with the saliva of the mosquitoes and causes itching when you get bitten by the insect. However, you can get rid of this itching sensation through the following methods —

• OTC treatments like antihistamines and hydrocortisone

• Home remedies like applying ice, aloe vera gel, honey, oatmeal, and chamomile tea

FAQs

1. Should I be scared when a mosquito bites me?

No, usually, most mosquito bites are harmless. However, you should watch out for your symptoms for a few days after getting bitten. If you develop flu-like symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

2. How long will it take to recover from mosquito bites?

The redness and itching caused by mosquito bites go off in a few days. However, you can try OTC medicines and home remedies to get rid of the itching sensation quickly.