After the bite, itching, compaction and swelling of whoever bitten

How do mosquitoes bite?

Mosquitoes are two-winged insects that feed on the blood of animals and people. They live everywhere, multiply quickly and create a lot of inconvenience.

Ectoparasites need to regularly consume blood to reproduce properly. At the same time, only females bite people - males do not have a developed oral apparatus and feed on the nectar of flowering plants.

Once indoors, the mosquito searches for its prey by the smell of lactic acid from the sweat glands, the carbon dioxide released and thermal radiation. Before drinking blood, the female pierces the skin with two thin needles and releases saliva containing anticoagulants and other components of the creature’s physiological fluid. Having had enough, the mosquito finds a safe place where it waits for the contents of the stomach to be completely digested.

In the absence of complications, a mosquito bite on a person’s skin looks like a small red dot. A swelling forms around its circumference, not exceeding 5 millimeters in diameter. The victim feels itching, mild pain, and his epithelium is locally hyperemic.

The danger of mosquitoes and possible problems

Potentially, the mosquito is a carrier of dangerous infectious diseases. The most famous of them:

• yellow fever;
• malaria;
• equine encephalitis;
• dengue fever;
• filariasis;
• tularemia;
• West Nile fever.

Fortunately, most blood-sucking insects that carry the most dangerous bacteria, viruses and parasites are rarely found in Russia. Much more often, a person develops local problems in the form of allergic reactions.

Why do bumps appear after a mosquito bite?

Cones after a mosquito bite are voluminous formations with an area exceeding one square centimeter. Extensive swelling, severe hyperemia of the skin, and pain occur.

These problems are caused by mosquito saliva. It contains many components. Among them are anticoagulants and protein structures. The combination of substances in the presence of increased sensitivity to allergens creates a strong immune response of the human body, which is manifested by pronounced local pathologies on the skin.

Mosquito bites in children: how to treat a tumor from an insect

Often insect bites go unnoticed, leaving no harmful consequences. But there are the opposite situations, when a mosquito bite in a child leads to complications that threaten not only health, but also life.

The reaction to a bite is a consequence of the penetration of poisons into the body (bee, wasp) or saliva (mosquito, mosquito, midge). The main symptoms are redness, itching, swelling and burning.

The development of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema cannot be ruled out.

Possible complications

The development of unpleasant symptoms after a mosquito bite carries additional risks:

• Secondary bacterial infections. Severe itching, swelling, the appearance of bumps and their transformation into blisters with transparent or serous contents create the preconditions for a sharp drop in local protective functions, which predetermines the penetration of bacterial infections. The latter provoke suppuration and extensive inflammatory processes. In advanced forms, additional antibacterial therapy and other therapeutic measures are required.
• Systemic allergic manifestations. In some cases, local skin problems caused by the body’s strong immune response to irritants form severe pathologies of the autoimmune spectrum. Characteristic signs of the latter are the development of additional severe symptoms throughout the body - from dyspeptic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and lacrimation of the eyes to Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. In the latter case, the person requires emergency medical attention because he may die.

Soap and other hygiene products

Often, products such as dark laundry soap and toothpaste are used as a healing remedy to eliminate itching, redness and swelling from bites. To reduce swelling, it is enough to thickly soap the affected areas of the skin twice a day, and in case of severe itching, traditional healers recommend applying a small amount of mint toothpaste to the bites.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that insect bites that cause severe discomfort (pain, itching, swelling or suppuration) should be shown to a doctor, since these symptoms may indicate an allergy or infection of the wound.

Differential diagnosis

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to accurately determine that pathological formations on the skin were formed due to mosquito bites. In some cases, bumps, swelling and other symptoms are similar to the following problems:

• Hives. Allergic reaction to medical and cosmetic drugs. Accompanied by an increase in body temperature, general malaise, and the formation of blisters with transparent contents.
• Bedbug bites. This type of ectoparasite feeds on human blood. The bites are arranged linearly in the form of short or long tracks of punctures in the skin. If there are a large number of insects in the apartment, they attack the victim in a group. In the latter case, a large area of ​​skin damage is formed, merging into one huge spot.
• Dermatitis. A common type of skin pathology is caused by allergic reactions to household chemicals, animal hair, dust, and so on. Dermatitis manifests itself as a rash without the formation of extensive swelling.
• Flea bites. Most often these parasites live on domestic animals, but sometimes they bite humans. The area of ​​potential skin damage is limited to the lower extremities to the waist. At the time of the attack, a person feels pain, since the flea does not secrete specific saliva that can produce temporary local anesthesia.
• Prickly heat. It manifests itself in children as a small rash, blisters, and hyperemia of the skin. Develops due to violation of personal hygiene rules under conditions of high humidity and temperature in the genital area and armpits.
• Infectious lesions. This includes a wide range of secondary pathologies - measles, rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever. They are accompanied by systemic signs of disease - general malaise, intoxication of the body, dyspeptic disorders.

Swelling from stinging insect bites

With the arrival of summer, insects become more active, they sting strongly and can cause a lot of trouble. The consequence of such a bite is usually severe swelling, redness of the skin, itching and, if you are prone to allergies, a problem with respiratory function. Special therapy will help relieve unpleasant symptoms. To do this, you should consult a doctor. The medical facility will explain how to treat swelling from bites.

Stinging insects include:

• wasps;
• bees;
• hornets;
• bumblebees.

The bites of these insects are very dangerous, so it is recommended to take immediate action. Before you go for a walk in the forest, you need to find out how to treat a tumor from a bite and take the necessary medications with you. Particularly serious consequences can occur after bites to the following parts of the body:

• face;
• neck;
• lips.

Swelling when bitten in these parts of the body is always accompanied by extensive swelling and sharp pain. If the victim is allergic to stinging insect bites, then the symptoms will be severe, including respiratory arrest. Due to the fact that the bite site becomes infected, the lymph nodes begin to enlarge. An inflammatory compaction occurs at the site of the bite, which may not go away for a very long period of time.

After a bite, swelling can be relieved with antihistamines. If your face and especially your mouth are injured, you should urgently call an ambulance. When going outdoors, it is recommended to take protective equipment and special medications with you.

An allergic reaction to the bites of such insects manifests itself as follows:

• extensive swelling at the site of the bite, quickly spreading to other parts of the body;
• skin rash;
• dizziness;
• strong pain.

If there are several bites, the victim may develop anaphylactic shock. Emergency assistance for stinging insect bites consists of the following:

1. It is necessary to immediately remove the sting, and then wash the bite site with laundry soap.
2. After rinsing with cool water, the wound should be treated with an antiseptic.
3. It is recommended to apply an ice pack to prevent swelling and reduce pain. A cold compress will relieve irritation and itching.
4. Swelling from a wasp or bee sting can be quickly relieved with compresses. For this purpose, you can use dimexide, which must first be diluted at the rate of one part of the drug and four parts of water. If the medicine is not on hand, you can dilute alcohol with water for lotions.
5. It is recommended to lubricate the bites with hormonal ointment several times a day. The effect of the drug is designed for two hours, after which you need to wipe the skin with alcohol.
6. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids. This promotes abundant urination and, accordingly, the rapid removal of toxins from the body.

The appearance of infiltrates requires the use of antihistamines, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, which should be prescribed by a doctor. The medical facility will advise you on how to relieve swelling from a stinging insect bite. If the reaction is severe, treatment may take several days.

Treatment of bumps on the skin after a mosquito bite

Treatment of bumps after mosquito bites at home is permitted in the absence of systemic pathological manifestations indicating the development of severe allergic or autoimmune reactions throughout the body.

Medicines

In modern medical practice, local products containing antihistamines, steroids, antiseptics and other components are used if necessary.

Effective drugs:

• Fenistil. Homogeneous gel for topical use. The main active ingredient is dimethindene, a 1st generation antihistamine. Slows down the development of an allergic reaction and has an anesthetic effect. It is quickly absorbed into the skin after application and does not penetrate into the systemic bloodstream.
• Advantan. Steroid ointment for topical use. The active ingredient is methylprednisolone, a 2nd generation synthetic glucocorticosteroid. When used locally, it does not have a systemic effect on the body. After application, 30 minutes later it suppresses any type of inflammatory reactions and enhances the effect of antihistamines.
• Miramistin. Antiseptic for application to the skin. The active ingredient is miramistin hydrochloride. It is used in the presence of severe scratching, shallow ulcers, and open wounds. Effective against most known bacteria, viruses, fungi, and is used to sanitize suppurations.
• Tetracycline ointment. Local antibiotic. The active ingredient is tetracycline hydrochloride. Used to treat confirmed secondary bacterial infections.

Folk remedies

As an alternative to medications, traditional medicine is sometimes used to get rid of bumps after mosquito bites. Known methods:

• Soda. 2 tablespoons of the product are dissolved in one glass of boiling water. The liquid is cooled to room temperature, after which it is applied to problem areas up to 5 times a day for a week.
• Toothpaste. It is used in “field” conditions when other methods are not available. It is necessary to choose products with menthol, and then apply the paste in an even thin layer in areas of swelling after mosquito bites. It is not advisable to use this method regularly.
• Star balm. The classic local remedy has been used since the times of the USSR. It contains essential oils of eucalyptus and mint, Vaseline, and beeswax. The balm is applied to problem areas up to 5 times a day.
• Aloe. Squeeze a quarter cup of aloe juice from the leaves of a fresh plant. Take cotton wool, soak it in the product and apply it to the bumps and nearby skin, covering areas of inflammation and swelling. The procedure is repeated 3 times a day for one and a half weeks.

Causes of mosquito allergies

In medical practice, a mosquito bite that leads to the development of an allergic reaction is called culicidosis. Around the place where the insect stung, swelling and redness appear, the color of the epithelium changes, and a rash appears.

Mosquito allergies manifest themselves in different ways. There are several stages of the pathological process. There are two types of reactions:

• Organic local reaction. At the site of the bite, redness up to 5 cm in diameter and swelling of soft tissues are observed. These signs are accompanied by burning and itching; if you get an infection, the affected area becomes suppurated, nausea, weakness appear, and the temperature increases;
• A pronounced local reaction is characterized by redness over 5 cm in diameter and tissue swelling. Hyperemia and swelling can increase several days after the incident and persist for up to a week and a half. Additional symptoms: weakness, nausea, loss of appetite.

The main reason for an allergic reaction lies in the fact that the immune system does not produce antibodies that resist the insect's venom and saliva.

For your information, children under 3 years of age react most acutely to insect bites, due to an inferior immune system.

There are several reasons for the development of allergies:

1. Hereditary predisposition. If there is a family history of allergies to pests, then information in the genetic code can be passed on to the baby.
2. Failure of the immune system. It is impossible to predict the reaction. Allergies develop even in those children who do not have a tendency to such manifestations.
3. The child's body is particularly sensitive to bites. In this case, the reaction is aggravated by preconditions - sleep disturbance, poor diet, general fatigue, etc.

The danger of bites lies not only in the development of allergies, but also in diseases transmitted by insects: mosquitoes - potential sources of yellow fever, flies - dysentery and typhoid, etc.

Prevention measures

The main preventive measure aimed at reducing the risk of pathology is preventing mosquito bites.

Use any available means that destroy and repel blood-sucking insects, blocking their entry into the apartment. Popular options: fumigator with insecticides and repellents, electronic ultrasonic repeller, ultraviolet trap lamp, adhesive tapes, skin lotions and sprays, mosquito nets.

If you are hypersensitive to ectoparasite bites, be sure to carry antiallergic medications with you - antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Pharmacy products

On the shelves of stores and pharmacies you can find many different drugs that should get rid of such troubles. They are available in the form of ointments, gels, powders and emulsions. To choose an effective remedy for mosquito bites, you should consider:

1. Character of redness. If the local reaction is pronounced, one can judge the development of an allergy. Then taking antihistamines orally or in the form of creams is mandatory.
2. Patient's age. For children, only children's bite repellents are allowed.
3. Compound. Allergic reactions may occur to some mosquito bite medications. Therefore, before use, be sure to carefully study the composition and instructions. For the first time, the product should be applied in a small amount and carefully monitor the body’s reaction.

Fenistil gel

It is an antihistamine that quickly reduces the response to mosquito bites. Used to treat bumps from mosquito bites in a child. It is important to strictly adhere to dosage recommendations.

Review

Only Fenistil gel helps us. We have been using it since the moment our son appeared in the family. First we used the drops, then we bought the gel. The result is noticeable within 30-60 minutes. It is used very economically, so it is completely worth the money spent on it.

Marina, Krasnodar

Star

This tool has many advantages:

1. Low cost.
2. Reliability, proven over decades and more than one generation.
3. Availability.
4. Popular, because you can buy it at any pharmacy and some stores.

Thanks to the natural composition, the likelihood of allergic reactions is sharply reduced. Vaseline and beeswax soften and nourish, while mint and eucalyptus oils have an analgesic effect. Zvezdochka balm should be applied to the site of a mosquito bite 3-5 times a day.

Advantan

A powerful remedy against skin diseases with a wide spectrum of action. It costs from 500 rubles, but it helps very quickly. Even children from 4 months are allowed to use. Has high regenerative abilities.

Review

I do not recommend using Advantan very often. The doctor prescribed it to us after my husband was severely bitten by mosquitoes. They anointed it for only 3 days and the bumps completely disappeared, not a trace remained of them.

Nadezhda, Perm

Cream Nezulin

It not only has an antihistamine effect, but also copes with inflammation and speeds up the wound healing process. Soothes and cools the bite site. The effect is observed within 20 minutes after application.

On a note!

To get rid of the unpleasant consequences of a mosquito bite, you should use any means that have an antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and sedative effect. If simple remedies do not help, the use of hormonal creams and ointments is allowed. One of the most affordable is Hydrocortisone ointment.