Mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are the itchy bumps that appear after mosquitoes pierce the skin to feed on your blood. The bump usually clears up on its own in a few days. Occasionally a mosquito bite causes a large area of swelling, soreness and redness. This type of reaction, most common in children, is sometimes referred to as skeeter syndrome.
Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]
Bites from mosquitoes often cause small red lumps on the skin. Other symptoms include:
- Dark spots that resemble bruising
- Swelling or redness
- Small blisters instead of hard bumps
- In children and people with immune system disorders, mosquito bites sometimes trigger:
* A low-grade fever * Hives * Swollen lymph nodes
Causes[edit | edit source]
Mosquito bites are caused by female mosquitoes feeding on your blood. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. Female mosquitoes have a mouthpart made to pierce skin and siphon off blood. Molecules from the mosquito's saliva are injected into the host, causing a mild immune response.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of mosquito bites is important in avoiding mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. Measures to prevent mosquito bites include the use of mosquito bed nets (preferably insecticide-treated nets), insect repellent on exposed skin, covering much of the body with clothing, and draining standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Most mosquito bites stop itching and go away on their own in a few days. Over-the-counter creams and ointments can help with the itching and swelling. If a mosquito bite causes a large skin reaction, or if a child has a fever or other signs of illness, a healthcare provider should be contacted.
See also[edit | edit source]
Mosquito bites Resources | ||
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD