Mosquitos are pesky insects that can be found in almost every corner of the world where human civilization exists. These creatures, besides causing irritation through their itchy bite, can lead to way more serious problems than just an itchy bump.
The most typical symptom of a mosquito bite is an itchy bump, the bump may also have a red dot in its centre. After some time, the bump becomes hard to press. There might be cases where a mosquito will bite multiple times in the same area. The mosquito injects saliva into the bloodstream while they suck the blood as it acts as an anti-coagulant which prevents the mosquito’s proboscis begin clogged with clotted blood.
For people who have weaker immune systems, the reaction caused by a mosquito bite can lead to problems like hives and swelling in the lymph nodes. In rare cases, the bite may lead to an allergic reaction which results in aches around the body accompanied by fever and headache.
Although in most cases, the symptoms are mild and generally go away after a day or two.
The basic procedure to treat the bite involves washing the affected area with soap and lukewarm water. Care must be taken that the water used is not very hot as it will aggravate the itching around the area.
An ice pack can also be used to provide immediate relief from the itching caused by the bite. Make sure the itchy bump is not scratched with dirty fingernails or else it may lead to infections.
One can also take the help of over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-itch medicines. If you want to know the best home remedies for mosquito bites you can check out our blog here.
It’s rare for one to experience severe allergic reactions due to a mosquito bite but the possibility still exists. The most typical symptoms of an allergic reaction are as follows
– Head Ache
– Fever and
– Body Ache
If one experiences any of the following reactions, one should contact a doctor immediately.
A mosquito bite can do much more than an itchy bump, as mosquitoes are the carriers of numerous diseases viz.
– Malaria
– Dengue and
– Yellow Fever
Just to name a few. Children and people with weak immune systems are the ones who are most prone to these diseases.
While it might be impossible to completely eradicate the possibility of one getting bitten by a mosquito, there is a lot we can do in order to prevent mosquito bites. Some of the methods of prevention involve the following
– The stagnant water serves as a perfect breeding ground for mosquitos. Hence avoid being in areas that have stagnant water. Also, make sure that there are no such places in your house where the water can become stagnant.
– Avoid going to areas that have tall grasses as they contain a lot of mosquitos, while you are outside, make sure to wear full sleeves. Make sure that the grass and vegetation around your home are trimmed.
– Make sure that you are properly vaccinated against various mosquito-borne diseases.