Mosquito Bites: Allergies, Remedies, Treatment

Mosquitoes are a real plague that is difficult to escape, especially in summer. As soon as you step outside, you find yourself disturbed by these buzzing and annoying little insects. Or, we sit comfortably on the terrace, we enjoy the heat and suddenly the annoying mosquitoes disturb the peace. And if we forgot the mosquito spray, the buttons are guaranteed. Although mosquito bites are not among the most painful and the symptoms that follow are relatively bearable, they are more or less unpleasant.

As a rule, inflammations caused by mosquito bites pass relatively quickly, after two to three days. However, there are, of course, exceptions. For example, it often happens to develop allergies to mosquito bites. And in this context, Deavita explains everything on the subject: the different reactions you could suffer, the dangers etc. In addition, we will show you how to relieve symptoms and which remedies to favor.

Mosquito bite allergies: what exactly is happening?

Everyone knows the usual consequences of a mosquito bite, such as itching and mild swelling in the affected area, but not many people know the exact details. But why does the body react and is it really allergic to stings? So, it's quick and easy to explain! Indeed, it turns out that even the symptoms that we define as normal, are an allergic reaction. During the bite, the mosquito injects venom which consists of anticoagulant saliva causing allergic reactions in humans. And this is how the red patches were born.

Thus, the human body reacts defensively to the histamine venom. This reaction is therefore responsible for the swelling as well as the itching and not the venom itself. And now you might be wondering when it comes to allergies exactly. So we talk about an allergy to mosquito bites when the symptoms are out of the ordinary. Let's take a look at them in the following paragraphs!

Symptoms of an allergy to mosquito bites

As mentioned above, the symptoms of mosquito bite allergy are the usual ones that everyone is familiar with: the affected areas swell and itching begins. However, we speak of a real allergy when the symptoms become more serious: the area of swelling is larger and the itching - stronger and more unpleasant. Besides, an extreme allergy can also be associated with a feeling of heat in the area of the sting.

However, an allergy to mosquito bites is much less dangerous than an allergy to other insects such as bees, hornets, wasps and others. Nevertheless, take the matter seriously and see a doctor, especially if the allergy is new to you. In some severe cases, this can lead to cardiovascular problems. Particularly sensitive people can even experience allergic shock when it comes to many mosquito bites.

However, worsening symptoms also mean a longer healing process. Because a single bite subsides after a day or two, healing from a mosquito bite allergy can take up to two weeks.

In addition, mosquito saliva contains allergens to which some people are extremely sensitive, especially children. So, this is an inflammatory reaction that tends to cause itchy red patches and even fever. In this case, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor in order to obtain adequate treatment.

What helps if you have an allergy to mosquito bites?

Do you think you have an allergy to mosquito bites? So what to do in such a situation? First of all, you don't need to panic. You can immediately treat the red plaque by betting on one of the remedies used for simple mosquito bites. For your information, heat sources are also suitable for relieving such a condition. For example, there are different types of heat pens intended for treating bites and they are found to be super easy to handle.

Spoons are a practical alternative to heated pens. How it works ? So, heat a spoon in hot water and apply directly to the affected area, but be careful not to burn yourself. The heat will destroy the protein that caused the reaction and the itching will stop.

If you did not react as quickly or if the allergic reaction continues to exist, you can take other measures. For example, consider taking advantage of home remedies for mosquito bite. Did you know that cooling is also very useful in stopping the itching or at least in alleviating it. In addition to wrapped ice cubes, you can also use special ointments, creams or gels for insect bites with a cooling effect. These remedies also work for swelling.

Believe it or not, our own saliva (often used instinctively) is a real ally. It not only cools mosquito bites but also contains pain relievers and natural antihistamines, a substance that works against allergies. But, if despite the cooling, the itching is unbearable or even accompanied by other symptoms such as burning, please visit a doctor as it would probably be necessary to take medication.

Watch out for drugs

If you want to take medication for an allergy to mosquito bites, we recommend that you consult a doctor first. If necessary, you can also obtain information directly from the pharmacy, provided you are sure that it is an allergic reaction. Usually, drugs containing histamine are used. Take into consideration that in case of a severe allergy, avoid taking any medication without consulting a doctor.

Alternative medicine is another option you might want to consider. Indeed, a large number of people decide to bet on homeopathy in order to fight against mosquito bites. The swelling, for example, can be treated with Apis mellifica, a homeopathic medicine taken by mouth but also used to rub the bite. Ledum and Caladium are two other possibilities to consider. However, the right medication depends entirely on the symptoms. Therefore, a consultation with a specialist is strongly recommended.

Allergy or not? When should you go to the doctor?

Many people decide to postpone the doctor's visit because at the end of the day it is just a mosquito bite. But this is not quite true. When you notice stronger or atypical symptoms, do not hesitate to consult a specialist. Also note that a worrying symptom can manifest itself as a red line moving away from the area of the bite which may require taking antibiotics.

Note: Some mosquito bites are harmless, but others hide underestimated dangers. This is due to mosquitoes which carry dangerous diseases. We will examine them in the following paragraphs.

The dangers of mosquito bites

Maybe you know this but it should be clarified that it is only female mosquitoes that bite people. This is because the blood acts as a source of protein for the eggs. For your information, male mosquitoes do not consume blood. Moreover, mosquito bites represent a considerable health risk because diseases transmitted by these insects kill millions of people annually. Malaria, one of the best-known diseases caused by mosquitoes, killed an estimated 430,000 people in 2015.

Another disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes is West Nile virus. Usually, people with this virus do not notice any symptoms, although some of them develop a fever or other flu-like symptoms.

Zika virus is a well-tolerated infection that initially causes fever, joint pain, and rash. The initial symptoms usually go away after a week, but the disease can lead to birth defects in the fetus of a pregnant woman. However, preventing mosquito bites is always more effective than trying to treat them. Let's see how to do it!

Basic measures for preventing mosquito bites

In order to be able to spend pleasant evenings in the open air, Deavita offers you a short guide showing how to avoid mosquito bites. It's no secret that pharmacies offer a wide range of sprays and other means. But the truth is, you can prevent stings by following a few easy tips and advice.

Good personal hygiene is a must! We know that sweat attracts mosquitoes. This is why taking a shower before leaving the house is a good preventive measure. It is important to clarify not to put sweaty clothes back on as they act as a magnet for mosquitoes.

The classic mosquito net can protect you not only outdoors but also in your own bedroom. Besides, she looks very romantic! A mosquito net does not disrupt air circulation or cause air suffocation even on hot evenings. Currently there are many varieties so you can find the model that best suits your needs.

Take into consideration that if you have a nice pond in your garden, mosquitoes will be immediately attracted to standing water. This also applies to saucers for flower pots, watering cans, birdbaths, rain barrels etc. Make sure that these standing water sources are regularly emptied and cleaned up or simply eliminate them.