Can You Swim With Mosquito Bites?
WouterWhether you’re swimming in a pool or on the beach, it’s important to take precautions against mosquito bites. These bites can lead to serious infection, such as encephalitis. It’s best to avoid these bugs in the first place, but if you’re already bitten, it’s helpful to know what to do.
In addition to using an insect repellent, you can use baking soda to help heal your itch. Applying it directly to the affected area will help your bite heal faster. If you don’t have any on hand, you can apply a 1% or 0.5% hydrocortisone cream to the area.
Antihistamines can also help alleviate itching and swelling. However, these medications aren’t a substitute for a medical visit.
It’s also important to keep your wound clean, because open skin can allow bacteria to enter. It’s best to avoid swimming if you have a broken skin patch. Scratching the area can cause an infection, which can lead to more serious health problems.
You can also apply an ice pack to the area. Ice will cool the skin and reduce swelling. Putting a cold compress on the affected area can also help alleviate the itchiness.
Insect bites are itchy because of the proteins in the saliva. Your body produces histamines to deal with the itch. This is why rubbing alcohol can make the itch worse.
The most common bugs causing bites are ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. The latter two can cause infections and even death.
