During the summer, people are easily bitten by mosquitoes, often leading to scratching the affected areas due to the itchy sensation. However, doctors have warned against doing so, but why exactly?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States pointed out that when a mosquito bites you, it injects saliva into your body through needle-like sucking mouthparts.
The saliva of mosquitoes contains an anticoagulant to keep the blood flowing for their feeding. The toxins in the saliva are what cause the warmth and itching sensation after being bitten.
Dr. Bobbi Pritt, the Director of the Clinical Parasitology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic and spokesperson of the College of American Pathologists, told the Huffington Post that this is due to the immune reaction of your body to the saliva, releasing histamine and leukotrienes.
The reaction varies from person to person and mosquito to mosquito, which is why some people experience noticeable swelling and soreness, while others only develop mild itchy bumps.
Dr. Pritt emphasized that despite the itchiness that follows a mosquito bite, scratching should be avoided.
She explained that the skin and body harbor various types of bacteria, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus, which are mostly harmless. “But if you have an open wound, such as from scratching forcefully, you could actually transfer bacteria from your skin into that little wound and cause an infection.”
Infections like cellulitis and impetigo can result from this, leading to redness, swelling, blisters, tenderness around the bite, swollen lymph nodes, and yellow discharge. While these can be treated with antibiotics, in rare cases, such infections can progress to severe complications like sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis.
Another reason not to scratch is that the more you scratch, the more histamine your body releases, making the bite site itchier.
Associate Professor Pamela Frabel from Texas Christian University stated that scratching sends slight pain signals to the brain, triggering the release of serotonin and intensifying the itching.
In addition to refraining from scratching, there are some methods to relieve discomfort and reduce the risk of infection after being bitten. Here are four methods provided by the CDC:
– Wash the area around the bite with water and soap to remove bacteria and prevent infection. Frabel likened mosquito bites to small wounds, and gentle washing with water and soap is recommended.
– Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching, reapply if necessary. According to Cleveland Clinic, ice significantly alleviates itching, inflammation, pain, and swelling.
– Make a paste of baking soda and water to reduce itchiness. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water to form a paste, apply to the mosquito bite, and wash off after 10 minutes.
– Use over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine creams to relieve itching, following the instructions on the product label.
Dr. Pritt advised monitoring the bite and any symptoms that may occur over the next one to two weeks. It is common to develop a fever or experience enlarged lymph nodes after a bite, so there is no need to panic if you experience these symptoms.
Frabel concluded by emphasizing that observing the bite site alone is insufficient to determine if mosquitoes carry pathogens, highlighting the importance of monitoring any symptoms. If fever, rash, severe headaches, or confusion occurs within one to two weeks after being bitten, seeking medical attention to confirm potential mosquito-borne diseases is necessary.
Previously Reported by Dajiyuan
Recently in Massachusetts, the United States, a deadly mosquito-borne disease called Eastern Equine Encephalitis has emerged, with a mortality rate exceeding 30%. Experts state that mosquitoes carrying the virus typically belong to nocturnal species, and residents in high-risk areas should reduce outdoor activities at night.
Previous research has shown that some people are more prone to mosquito bites because chemicals on their skin emit odors that attract mosquitoes, and these pests are particularly fond of these scents.