Why Does It Itch When Mosquitoes Bite You?
WouterGetting bitten by mosquitoes can be quite painful, especially if you have a sensitive skin. The bites will puff up, turn red, and cause itching. Symptoms can persist for days.
Itching is usually due to the reaction of the body’s immune system to the proteins found in the mosquito’s saliva. Histamine is released when the body encounters these proteins. Hesitamine causes the body to react by widening the blood vessels and causing inflammation. In addition, histamine increases the flow of blood to the site of the bite.
The histamine produced by the body helps white blood cells reach the bug bite, which helps fight the “danger.” However, it takes some time for the histamine to clear from the body.
When the itching starts, people tend to scratch the area until it swells. This can lead to an infection.
If you get an itchy mosquito bite, use an over-the-counter anti-itch cream. These are available at any drugstore and can relieve itching. They should be used as directed on the bottle. If the itch does not subside, call a pest management professional.
If the itching is serious, you may need to take an antihistamine. These medicines are designed to reduce the signals in your body that tell your skin to itch. You can also use an ice pack to reduce swelling.
Using a baking soda and water paste can also reduce the itch response. Apply the paste to the area and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse the mixture off after the ten minutes are up.
