Bites can also become infected or cause a severe allergic reaction in rare cases. Get medical help immediately if you have any severe or worrying symptoms after a spider bite. Hives: Hives are a common appearance in those that suffer from ‘skeeter syndrome’ or have a weakened immune system, hives are itchy red welts that can occur as a result of an allergic reaction, either to food, pollen or insect bites. They are normally extremely irritating but not known to have any long term effects, usually diminishing within six weeks or so of manifesting Mild headaches: Having a mild headache is considered a moderate reaction to a mosquito bite, normally appearing in those who have a weakened immune system. You can experience slight pain or tension, but it is not usually persistent and can be relieved used conventional painkillers or home solutions. If your headache intensifies or is prolonged, it might be a sign of a more serious illness and you should consult your doctor as soon as possible Always choose a reputable and well-known brand of insect repellent. Generic brands may be ineffective or have harmful side effects. Avoid low-quality local brands since they may irritate your skin and eyes. Odour and effectiveness Mosquito bites are caused by female mosquitoes feeding on your blood. As a biting mosquito fills itself with blood, it injects saliva into your skin. The saliva triggers an immune system reaction that results in the classic itching and bump.

For a stronger approach, we suggest Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment or Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Creme With Aloe, which harness the power of corticosteroids to relieve itching, swelling, and redness for up to 10-12 hours. However, if you suspect that your child may be allergic to mosquito saliva (a condition also known as Skeeter Syndrome), Benadryl Extra Strength Cooling Anti-Itch Gel, which contains an antihistamine called diphenhydramine HCL 2%, is the way to go. When we asked Steven Abelowitz, MD, FAAP, Founder and Medical Director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics and Medical Director of Pediatric Associates about which mosquito bite relief products are safe for babies, we were amazed that he suggested baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate). In fact, this pantry staple is so effective at alleviating itchy mosquito bites that it’s also recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms

Itching: Itching can be one of the more aggravating symptoms of a mosquito bite. It’s a natural reaction to inflammation and skin irritation but it can often upset your sleep and leave you vulnerable to contracting a secondary bacterial infection. This is because when you continuously scratch your skin, you are weakening the epidermal layer, disrupting the healing process and destroying healthy skin cells, making it easier for other pathogens and allergens to penetrate your skin.

If you have a weakened immune system, then sometimes more moderate symptoms can present themselves. Children, for example, are more prone to developing these symptoms because their immune systems are not fully formed or able to build a resistance against the chemicals contained in mosquito saliva. This can cause a more intense allergic reaction, leading to more unpleasant symptoms developing. Use insect repellent when mosquitoes are active. The most effective insect repellents in the United States include one of these active ingredients:Severe headache: A severe headache is classified as a persistent headache that causes potent amounts of pain. It can be sometimes be a symptom of mosquito-borne afflictions like as Zika or West Nile disease, so you should speak to your doctor just to confirm that you are not suffering from one of these conditions If cellulitis is severe, you might be referred to hospital for treatment. To stop cellulitis recurring Mosquitos love stagnant water and breed prolifically when the conditions are right. Only female mosquitos bite humans as females need blood in their diet to reproduce. Male mosquitos have feathery antennae that help them sense the presence of female mosquitos but the males only live for about a week. Females have less bushy antennae and can live for a few months. Female mosquitos have long, tubular mouthparts that they use to pierce your skin and feed on your blood. When they bite you, they inject saliva into your body while suctioning your blood.

Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin. Other types of eczema include: Antihistamines (Pills or Topical Creams) will also help reduce the reaction and will treat itching and swelling. If you are in pain, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage it. Anaphylaxis The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it may happen as a result of having particularly dry skin. Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea can be unpleasant and embarrassing to experience but if you are on holiday, the chances are you would blame the affliction on food poisoning, dirty water or another ailment. However, if you’ve been bitten by a mosquito you should consider the idea that you might have contracted a more unfortunate disease. If you are unsure, you should visit your doctor just to put your mind at ease and confirm whether it is just an upset stomach or something more serious Some people with discoid eczema also have a history of atopic eczema, which often happens in people who are prone to asthma and hay fever. However, unlike atopic eczema, discoid eczema does not seem to run in families. Other possible triggers

First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals who will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours. They’re typically found in straight lines across the skin. They’re usually in clusters of three to five bites A GP should be able to make a diagnosis just by examining the affected areas of skin. In some cases they may also ask questions or arrange some tests to rule out other conditions.