What You May Not Know About Mosquito Bites

Swat!

Ouch!

If you spend anytime outside during the spring and summer, these are probably common sounds to you - the sounds of a mosquito buzzing, landing, being swatted and you being left with a mosquito bite. Mosquito bites are usually a simple annoyance, most of us put up with. However, they can cause allergic reactions in some people and actually be a very painful affliction.

The first thing you should know about mosquitoes is that the female is the one who feeds off of blood. Male mosquitoes feed off nectar. When a mosquito bites you, she injects proteins and enzymes into your body. The proteins and enzymes are to numb the skin (so you do not notice her and swat her) and to prevent your blood from clotting so she can drink more easily. Your body will notice the enzymes the female mosquito leaves behind in the wound and begin to release antibodies and neurotransmitters called histamines, to try to protect itself from the injury of the mosquito bite. The histamines are what make the bite site itch and often cause a bump to rise under the skin.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes mosquitoes carry several dangerous diseases including: Arboviral Encephalitides, Eastern equine encephalitis , Japanese encephalitis , La Crosse encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis , West Nile virus , Western equine encephalitis , Dengue Fever, Malaria, Rift Valley Fever and Yellow Fever to name a few. Given, that mosquitoes can transmit these types of illnesses, it is perhaps best to avoid being bitten unnecessarily.

The easiest way to avoid being bitten by a mosquito is to avoid areas where mosquitoes are found in abundance. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so areas such as marshes, swamps and place by stagnant water are often infested with them. If you must be in such a location, try to schedule your time there during the middle of the day. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.

If you cannot avoid areas heavily infested with mosquitoes, dress to prevent being bitten. Light colored clothing in thick but breathable fabrics will help eliminate some of the bites. Everyday cotton is not thick enough to prevent a mosquito from biting. Also, be sure to cover your face and head. Many camping goods stores offer protective head nets. (While these may look a bit "silly", remember you are preventing the potential transmission of disease - not making a fashion statement.)

In areas of lighter infestation, mosquito repellant can reduce the number of free meals you offer these pesky insects. Studies have shown products containing DEET to be very effective repellants. (Caution should be used in applying repellants containing DEET to pregnant woman and small children. If you are going to use DEET on these populations, contact a doctor before doing so.) Picaridian has gained popularity in recent years as a repellent, and some people find it just as effective at products containing DEET. Some people also swear by products containing lemon eucalyptus, although this should not be used on children under 5.

If you do get bit by mosquitoes, you may find relief in taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl to relieve the itching and lessen the welts. Bathing or showering in cool to cold water will also help reduce the swelling of mosquito bite welts. If itching and/or swelling are severe, you should seek medical advice. If you are having difficulty breathing after being bitten, call 911 immediately as you may have a severe allergy to mosquito bites.

The good news is that you can develop a tolerance to mosquito bites. Over time, you may find yourself having less of a severe reaction than in years past. However, this does mean you should intentionally expose yourself to mosquito infested areas.