Mosquito Bites - Treatment & Prevention Tips

That lady mosquito that descended onto your arm or leg for a taste was very attracted to you - to your heat, perspiration on your skin, body odor, and even the emissions of carbon dioxide. She landed on your skin with just one goal - a meal. To that end, she stuck her sharp, thin proboscis (or mouth part) into your skin and began sucking your blood. Her saliva contained proteins, digestive enzymes, and anticoagulants (the latter of which prevent your blood from clotting). Once she finished gathering her nourishment, the mosquito departed (or met a deadly end via a palm or fly swatter).

All of this takes just a few seconds but she's done her job and now you've been left with a bit of an unwelcome gift. Some saliva remains in the wound and the proteins swimming around there are what provoke an immune response from your body. The redness, the swelling, the bump - all are responses to the mosquito's saliva in your blood stream and what make your mosquito bite itch so much. The swelling will usually go away before the itch; that only remains until your immune cells break it down and remove the foreign agent from your blood stream. But as long as that itch exists, you'll never forget about that little winged lady who sucked your blood.

Sometimes you don't see what it was that snacked on you, so you may feel inclined to get a little nervous. However, a mosquito bite is fairly recognizable by its pale halo around the dot-like bite. This is called a "wheal". Dependent on your reaction time, it will react with itching and swelling at any point from moments after the bite to around twenty four hours afterwards.

Interestingly enough, the first time a mosquito bites, there is no reaction. As you attract more mosquitoes and more bites over time, your body begins to react to the proteins and enzymes and the red bumps start to appear within a day. More mosquito bites begin to produce a more immediate reaction and the swollen hive or wheal rises up within minutes instead of hours. Eventually, some of the population become immune to bites, and show no reaction when bit; others may develop a mosquito bite allergy and exhibit more severe reactions to the bites, such as blistering, bruising, extreme swelling, and prolonged itching. The latter must unfortunately deal with this allergy by avoiding bites as much as possible.

Scientists have even discovered that the specific cells in the mosquito's "nose" identify the chemicals which make up the human odor; to the mosquito, some people just smell better, more appealing to their senses. An extra whiff of carbon monoxide or a little extra perspiration and the mosquito is ready to target you specifically - even in a crowd. That explains why at a picnic or at a backyard barbecue, there's always one person who seems to be the main course in the mosquito bite buffet while others are not even bothered by a single pest. The old joke about being extra "sweet" to the taste of that mosquito is actually true.

Some advancements in mosquito control such as Mosquito Traps by Mega-Catch actually exploit this natural identification system by confusing the mosquitoes' sense of smell - luring them away from human prey and into the traps.

Mosquito bite treatment starts with cleaning the area and addressing the reaction as soon as you realize you've been bitten. A simple mild soap and warm water wash is the first place to start; pat dry with a soft towel and resist the urge to rub. Scratching and rubbing will actually prolong the mosquito bite itch instead of offering (temporary) relief. You also run the risk of introducing dirt and bacteria into the open area and developing an infection.

If the urge to scratch is too overwhelming (particularly if you have been bitten several times or have a more extreme reaction), there are several mosquito bite remedies from your medicine cabinet - and your pantry - to ease the annoyance.

To make your own mosquito bite home remedy, use two parts baking soda to one part water. Mix together until it reaches the consistency of a sticky paste and apply directly onto the bite. As it dries, it will alleviate the sting and bring some relief to the itching and swelling. This is a great treatment for those with sensitive skin and for small children because the ingredients are mild and won't cause irritation. Just wash it off after the urge to scratch has gone away (remember - soap, water, and pat dry) and reapply if the symptoms flare up again.

For a quick fix - particularly when you're out of the house and unable to reach a first aid kit or get to the kitchen - ice wrapped in a towel or an ice pack will ease a mosquito bite's swelling. Even a cold can of soda or bottled water can do in a pinch.

Aloe Vera gel is nature's perfect gift for treating mosquito bites. The coolness eases symptoms and forms a protective layer after application to reduce the risk of infection. Reapplication will be necessary. It's good to do another soap and water wash every few hours.

From the medicine cabinet, calamine lotion or a topical anesthetic (containing pramoxine) are effective mosquito bite treatments. One percent hydro-cortisone cream alleviates itching, as well. If applications to the surface of the skin don't take care of the symptoms immediately, try taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen. This will help to reduce the swelling of the bites. For more severe cases, an antihistamine such as Benedryl will also help, but check with your doctor before administering the medication for this reason.

If the mosquito bite does not respond to topical treatments and the skin around the area becomes warm, red and swollen, the bite may be infected. Call a medical practitioner in this case; a stronger treatment may be necessary.

Unfortunately, beyond the irritation of bites, mosquitoes also carry diseases, picking up and passing them from person to person. West Nile, encephalitis, and others have been reported around the United States. If you begin to experience headaches, fever, vomiting, chills, or muscle aches, you may have contracted something more than a bump from that mosquito bite. Contact your physician immediately if any of these symptoms develop.

Though there are ample remedies for mosquito bites, the best thing you can do is protect yourself from mosquito bites in the first place. Wear long-sleeved, lightweight shirts when gardening or spending time outside. Whenever you're outside for a long time, apply a safe repellent and reapply it after awhile, as the chemicals will wear off.

If you suffer from a serious reaction to mosquito bites or have a compromised immune system, try to stay away from places where mosquitoes clearly congregate. Invest in a safe and effective outdoor system like a Mega-Catch Mosquito Trap to make your backyard a safe haven from mosquitoes and ensure that you won't become that mosquito's next meal!

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