Mosquito Bites Swelling and Itching

Why Mosquito Bites Itch

Why do mosquito bites itch? Mosquitoes carry a wealth of irritants in their saliva, which is injected into the victim along with their bite. Blood conglomerates, viruses and digestive fluids immediately enter the body of the victim. These foreign substances send signals to the body to attack the scene of the crime. The body, in an effort to fight the substances, releases histamines and gets to work fighting the nasty substances. In most cases, the fluids cause a mild allergic reaction in the victim, which then produces the swollen, itchy mass known as the mosquito bite.

How to Reduce Mosquito Bites Swelling and Itching

Figuring out how to treat mosquito bites, swelling and itching is a summer-long quest for most sufferers of the mosquito bite.

There are many over the counter medicinal products that relieve itching upon application. It may be trial and error before one finds a product that really offers relief. Bear in mind that scratching a bite, no matter how good it feels, creates more of the itching sensation. Many people find that avoiding the bite for the first 24 hours reduces itching to a minimum.

To reduce the swelling of a mosquito bite, administer an allergy medication such as Benadryl. As always, check with a physician when seeking treatment for a small child.

Usually the swelling that accompanies a mosquito bite reduces in size within a day or two. As the swelling reduces, the itching gradually subsides. Most people find complete relief from a mosquito bite within five to seven days.

If an allergic reaction or hives develop on the victim, it is crucial to seek emergency medical treatment. Never treat a hive outbreak at home without seeking a physician’s guidance and expertise.

Avoid the Bite

Often times, prevention is the best cure. Mosquitoes are the most active from dawn to dusk and are attracted to areas with standing water and tall grasses, such as marshes and wetlands.

To avoid a heavy population of mosquitoes in your at-home environment, keep freestanding water to a minimum. This includes birdbaths and fishponds. Unless you change birdbath water regularly, these garden focal points can easily become a breeding ground for mosquito bites. For those who have or desire a fish pond feature in their yards, keep the water moving with a power source such as a small motor. Mosquitoes will only lay eggs in standing water, so keep water moving to avoid a backyard infestation.

When dressing for outdoor activities, choose dark colors with no prints. Mosquitoes gravitate to those who wear vivid and colorful fabrics.

In addition to your clothing selection, keep cosmetics and fragrances to a minimum. Avoid the use of heavy perfumes and hair products before stepping outdoors. Bug spray containing DEET has been proven as the best protection against mosquito bites, along with practical sense.

The itching associated with mosquito bites certainly puts a damper on outdoor activities for many people, but with proper prevention and immediate treatment, many find the bite of a mosquito is small in comparison to the fun that is had exploring the great outdoors.