Mosquito bite: Why it causes itching & ways to relieve

What is the matter with mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are not only annoying, they can make us suffer and transmit diseases to us. They live on grass, shrubs and other plants while their favorite breeding grounds are stagnant water, blocked gutters, sewers and lakes.

Females can live for a few months and only they bite us because they need blood for their eggs. They have a long pointed proboscis that allows them to pierce our skin.

What are the skin reactions?

Mosquitoes select their victims based on the smell of carbon dioxide and other chemicals present in the sweat. You may feel a sting and then itch.

Most of the time, skin reactions are mild and go away in a few days but can be very annoying especially in children. In rare cases, there may be a severe allergic reaction.

By biting, mosquitoes inject their saliva into our body which is an anticoagulant to dilute our blood and make it easier to suck. Their saliva contains proteins to which some people are allergic. Our immune system is activated, releasing histamine that dilates blood vessels in the area of ​​the sting to facilitate the movement of white blood cells.

Histamine can irritate some nerve fibers and the result is itching. A round and swollen lump or a small red dot may appear due to the immune response. Itching motivates us to scratch the area, but if we do things can get worse and we can curse, facilitating the entry of bacteria that normally exist in our skin and thus become infected.

If you can not resist the itching, rub with your palm or fingertips without using your fingernails. If your child has been bitten by mosquitoes, make sure he keeps his fingernails close and remind him not to scratch his skin.

8 ways to relieve a mosquito bite

There are a few things you can do to relieve a mosquito bite and you may need a little experimentation to see what works best for you.

• Clean the area with antiseptic. After the sting, apply an antiseptic that contains alcohol, e.g. one with a concentration of 70% in isopropyl alcohol.
• Spread the honey. Honey is antiseptic and antibacterial. It also has wound healing properties. Reduces inflammation and can help prevent an infection.
• Rub with basil oil. Basil has phytochemicals that can relieve itching. You can apply lotion with basil oil.
• Use antihistamines. Antihistamines help reduce histamine and reduce inflammation. They fight itching and swelling. You can apply them topically (calamine lotion) on the affected area.
• Use creams with menthol or mint, ingredients that offer immediate relief and a feeling of coolness.
• Apply aloe vera. Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties and helps heal wounds. The cool feeling of the gel soothes the itching.
• Cream with garlic extract. Some creams use garlic extract which has healing and antiviral properties. But do not rub garlic directly on your skin. Raw garlic is able to increase irritation in the area.
• Natural or chemical mosquitoes for adults and children can repel mosquitoes.

If you experience body aches, headaches or fever after a mosquito bite, contact your doctor. These can be symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

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