Mosquito bites can be very itchy and annoying. They can also lead to illnesses that can be very deadly. Mosquito bites pose a considerable health risk, with mosquito-borne diseases causing millions of deaths a year worldwide. Malaria, one of the most commonly known diseases unique to mosquitos, killed roughly 409,000 people globally in 2019. With this being said, it’s important to identify mosquito bites and ways to prevent and treat them.

Mosquitoes pierce the skin and feed on your blood, causing a red, itchy bump. As a mosquito fills itself with your blood, it injects saliva into your skin. The proteins in the saliva trigger a mild immune system reaction that results in a noticeable bump. In most cases, a mosquito bite will heal on its own in a few days and is nothing to worry about. However, occasionally, a bite can cause sites of swelling, soreness, and redness. A bite from a mosquito that is carrying a parasite or a virus can cause severe illness. Common illnesses that can be passed on by infected mosquitoes include yellow fever, Malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, and West Nile Virus.

Things To Know About Mosquitos

What Does A Mosquito Bite Look Like?

Right after a mosquito bites you, you may start to notice a round, puffy bump form. In some cases, you may see a small dot at the center of it. The bump will soon become red and hard, with a small amount of swelling. If you have a weak immune system, you may experience a more severe reaction. Children often get a stronger reaction than adults.

Mosquito bites may start out as a white bump, usually a few minutes after the bite has taken place. After the initial bite, it may become red/brown and start to itch. It may also appear as a dark spot that looks like a bruise, or small blisters instead of hard lumps.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mosquito Bites?

Symptoms in people with weak immune systems may include:

• Fever
• Hives
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling and redness

Majority of the time the symptoms of a mosquito bite will be a simple red, hard, itchy bump. If a bite seems to cause more severe symptoms, such as signs of infection, vomiting, shortness of breath, or body aches and fevers, you should see a medical professional immediately.

How Do You Treat Mosquito Bites?

First things first, avoid scratching as much as possible. Scratching a mosquito bite could turn a harmless bite into something much bigger, more painful, and infected. Other simple treatments include:

• Cleaning the bite gently with soap and water.
• Apply a cold-press or ice pack to the bite.
• Use an over-the-counter, topical anti-itch cream or calamine lotion.
• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine.

The most important thing to remember is to avoid scratching. Keeping the urge to scratch down is key to avoiding the spread of a simple mosquito bite. If your child continues to itch, it is recommended to cover the bites to prevent their urge to itch.

Mosquito Bite Prevention

• Remove Standing Water
• Repellants – The most effective chemical repellents contain DEET, picaridin, PMD, or IR3535 insecticide.
• Loose Clothing
• Stay Indoors During Peak Hours
• Mosquitos Nets
• Fan

Call Lookout Pest Control, formerly Any Pest Inc., Today

We can help with professional mosquito control treatments tailored to your home or business. Our botanical treatments are applied to bushes, shrubs, trees, and all common natural surfaces around your home where mosquitoes are most likely to land. Natural water sources where mosquitoes breed can also be treated for prevention. If you do have a mosquito infestation, be sure to contact Lookout Pest Control to perform a mosquito treatment on your home or commercial property. Lookout Pest Control can inspect, identify, and treat the problem.