How to recognize a mosquito bite and when should it be a concern?

Mosquitoes are found almost all over the globe, including in our country. Different regions of the world are characterized by different types of mosquitoes, in Poland there are several dozen of them. I think we are all used to the fact that they can effectively make summer evenings unpleasant. They usually feed at dusk and at night. They are especially unpleasant, especially near lakes and rivers. They can be found both in villages and in cities. Their unpleasant buzzing is tiring, but also the itching that we feel after their bite. That’s why it’s important to know how to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

How to recognize a mosquito bite?

Humans are only attacked by female mosquitoes, which need blood for proper egg development. Most often appears at the site of the bite bubble-like tumor. The lesion is small, convex and “diffuse”. It happens that a red dot is visible in the middle - a trace of a mosquito bite. He also accompanies him redness and itchingand sometimes it can cause pain. Sometimes a mosquito bite can be confused with a midge or bedbug bite.

Most tiresome is the itching that we feel at the site of a mosquito bite. Typically, these symptoms persist for several days and then subside. However, if such a place is scratched, it can adversely affect its healing and make these symptoms more unpleasant. In addition, when we do not properly care for the bite site, a bacterial infection can occur. Therefore, it is important to know how to relieve swelling and itching after an insect bite.

Can a mosquito bite be dangerous?

Most of us are already used to the fact that with the onset of summer, mosquito bites appearing on our body become something obvious. But can they be dangerous? In Poland, mosquitoes do not pose a threat to human life and health. In summer and spring they are simply unpleasant. In our country, these insects can transmit two diseases: heartworm and leishmaniasis, but mainly animals are susceptible to infection, and it is rare in humans. In Poland, these diseases are usually found in tourists returning from exotic regions of the world. However, in other countries, diseases carried by mosquitoes can be dangerous to humans, namely:

• malaria,

• dengue fever,

• yellow fever,

• zika fever,

• Japanese encephalitis.

Mosquito bite and allergy to “venom” of insects.

When a mosquito bites, its saliva gets on the skin and it is this that causes sensitization. Such a bite is especially problematic for people with allergies. Most of us develop a normal immune response to allergens present in mosquito saliva over the years. However, sometimes pathological allergic reactions occur - they are caused by the body’s immune response to the proteins contained in the saliva of these insects. Young children and infants are especially susceptible to such allergic reactions - this is due to the fact that they have not yet developed immunity.

Mosquito bites can cause pulling skin reactions, but they are usually not dangerous, unlike, for example, an allergy to wasp or bee venom. Most people are mildly allergic to mosquito saliva. Allergy to mosquitoes, i.e. mosquito syndrome (Wasp / Mosquito Syndrome) is manifested by swelling at the site of the bite, as well as malaise. An excessive reaction of the body is also signaled by swelling, severe itching, pain at the site of the bite. However, there may be more serious symptoms, such as:

• heat,

• nausea and vomiting

• skin rash,

• dizziness,

• breathing problems

• large local edema.

The above symptoms may indicate that anaphylactic shock has occurred - in such a situation, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible.