Suffering from itchy, raised red bumps on the skin after mosquito bites? It is time you take guard for mosquito bites can give rise to a number of diseases. Know all about Mosquito Bites, how to stop Mosquito Bites from itching and how to prevent Mosquito Bites.
Why Do Mosquito Bite?
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Picture 1 – Mosquito Bite
Source – picturesofinsectbites
It is typically female mosquitoes that bite a human. Male mosquitoes generally feed on plant juices and nectar while females feed on human blood. This is because female mosquitoes get from human blood nutrients that are essential for them to produce eggs.
How Does a Mosquito Bite?
Picture 2 – How Does a Mosquito’s Body Work ?
Source – google
The mouthparts of mosquitoes are specially designed to pierce the surface of animals and plants. They have special sensory receptors that help them become aware of sources of blood. They have special heat, chemical and visual sensors on their body. The chemical sensors let them be aware of presence of carbon dioxide.
When animals give out carbon dioxide while breathing out, mosquitoes can detect the source of Co2 and bite them.
What Do Mosquito Bites Look Like?
Picture 3 – Mosquito Bite Picture
Source – rkm
A Mosquito Bite typically looks like a mild red, raised bump over the skin surface.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
When a mosquito bites a human it actually pierces the body surface and injects a small quantity of its own saliva into the body. The saliva helps to dilute the blood and let it pass easily through the narrow snout of the mosquito.
But even after the mosquito has finished feeding, a small trace of saliva remains in the wound. The presence of this foreign substance instantly prompts a reaction from the immune system which results in itching. A bump arises over the skin as the immune system works to break down the protein component in the saliva. The itchiness and elevation lasts until the body has broken down all the protein.
Mosquito Bites Symptoms
Mosquito Bites can give rise to a number of symptoms like :
Inflammation
In Mosquito Bites swelling is one of the main symptoms. It arises as an automatic immune response of the body to the saliva injected by the mosquito bite. In severe cases, swelling can last for a few hours.
Itchiness
Itchiness is the main symptom of mosquito bites. Itchy feeling arises as a natural reaction of the body against the saliva, which is a foreign object. Itchiness may last for 5-6 hours in severe cases.
Malaria
This infective disease arises as a long term effect of a mosquito bite. It is caused by the transmission of Sporozoan parasites into the body of the victim through the sting of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The disorder causes chills and fever and may even give rise to death if left untreated or not treated properly.
Yellow Fever
This tropical disease results from an infection by the transmission of arbovirus from mosquitoes of type Aedes especially Haemagogus and A. Aegypti. It is marked by jaundice, high fever and also Gastrointestinal Haemorrhaging in some cases.
Dengue Fever
This severe infectious tropical disease results from an infection of the body by an arbovirus, a kind of RNA virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Such an infected Mosquito Bite causes highly discomforting Mosquito Bite effects like headaches, aching joints, muscular pain, rashes and fever.
Viral Encephalitis
This is a very painful disease that is characterized by swelling of the brain. It is generally caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. It gives rise to symptoms like nausea, drowsiness, headache, neck pain and fever.
How To Treat Mosquito Bites?
Mosquito Bites treatment can be done by reducing the symptoms. Severe itchiness can be reduced with the aid of oral medicines like Benadryl and topical application of antihistamines.
Picture 4 – Mosquito Bites Picture
Source – buzzle
Antihistamines help to curb allergic Mosquito Bites. Corticosteroids like Triamcinolone and Hydrocortisone can also be used to control severe cases of swelling.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquito Bites At Home?
Home remedies can work as the best treatment for Mosquito Bites in some cases. Some of the ways to treat Mosquito Bites at home are :
Papain Solution
Mix Papain and water to make a paste. Apply this over the area stung by the mosquito. It helps break down the protein contained in the mosquito saliva and reduces symptoms very fast thus treating Mosquito Bites.
Hot Water Therapy
Heat water to a temperature of around 49 degree C. Run this over the stung area for some time. This will provide relief from itching symptoms.
Sudsy Ammonia
Apply ammonia found in home to wash the area immediately after the symptoms begin to occur. This will help reduce swelling and itchiness after bite.
How To Avoid Mosquito Bites?
Want to know how to stop Mosquito Bites? Using any of the following ways can work as effective Mosquito Bites Prevention. Avoiding mosquito bites is highly necessary to prevent complicated diseases like Dengue and Malaria.
Using Repellents
Use of repellents like Picaridin and DEET, Eucalyptus oil and Citronella Oil can keep mosquitoes away for a long time. Mosquitoes are driven away from a localized region as long as the repellents are in use. But many mosquito repellents contain allethrin which can cause breathing problems and irritation of the eye or nose.
Using Mosquito Nets
Hanging mesh mosquito nets around the bed can prevent mosquitoes from coming into contact with the skin surface.
Using Window Nets
Fitting nets over windows can also prevent entry of mosquitoes into your home to a great extent. It is a great way of preventing Mosquito Bites. These mosquito screens not only restrict entry of skeeters but also flies and many other small insects.
Mosquito Bite Pictures
Want to know how if the swelling on your arm is a result of mosquito bite? Check out these pictures of Mosquito Bites to make sure.
Picture 5 – Mosquito Bites Image
Source – azbowserfamily
Picture 6 – Mosquito Bites Photo
Source – essentialoilsforhealing
If you are suffering from serious discomforts from Mosquito Bites, try some home remedies. If the symptoms show no improvement even after several hours, it is best to call a doctor. Early medical treatment is necessary to treat Mosquito Bites, which can give rise to serious complications in some cases.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_bites
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/risk/mosquito_bites.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-mosquitoes-bite.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_net
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa050503a.htm
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