Mosquito bite

Skin | General Practice | Mosquito bite (Disease)


Description

The mosquitoes are a family of small, midge-like flies: the Culicidae. Although a few species are harmless or even useful to humanity, most are a nuisance because they suck blood from vertebrates, many of them attacking humans. In feeding on blood various species of mosquitoes transmit some of the most harmful human and livestock diseases. Some authorities argue accordingly that mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on earth.

Common signs and symptoms include: soft, initially pale bumps on your skin that can become pink or red, itching. The bump that results from a bite can appear immediately or may take up to two days to appear. If youre highly sensitive to mosquito bites, you may have a much larger area of itching.

Causes and Risk factors

Mosquito bites are caused by the bite of a female mosquito. The female mosquito feeds off your blood by piercing your skin with her mouth (proboscis). While sucking your blood, she also deposits some of her saliva into your skin. This saliva contains proteins that remain in your skin. Your immune system may then react to those proteins, resulting in the characteristic itching and bump.

Rarely, a serious reaction to mosquito bites might occur, which results in swelling in the throat, significant hives and wheezing. This life-threatening condition (anaphylaxis) requires immediate medical attention.

Mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever.

Diagnosis and Treatment

It is best to use mosquito sprays, which will obviously protect from the insect bites. Creams or solutions with 1% hydrocortisone or an ice cube will temporarily relieve the affected area. Both adults and children oral antihistamines may be helpful. ...