Why do mosquito bites itch?
The bite of a mosquito results in a histamine release in your skin at the site of the bite. Histamine starts a cascade of immune reactions that leads to itch.
Why do mosquito bites form bumps?
The same cascade of immune release results in swelling from edema. The description is a “wheal and flare” which means redness and swelling.
What do dermatologist’s recommend people do for their skin if they have a lot of mosquito bites?
Don’t scratch! This will lead to scabs, sores and possible skin infections like impetigo.
Keep the skin cool. Warm or hot skin will itch more. You can use an ice cube, ice pack or even a cool can of soda to cool the skin. The faster you can chill the bite, the more it will help.
Apply cortisone cream as soon as possible to minimize the wheal and flare reaction. Again, the faster you can get cortisone onto your bite, the better it will work to prevent itching and swelling. Pack it with you when you know you will be in mosquito territory!
You can take oral antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), but don’t apply it. Topical diphenhydramine is an allergen and can cause an itchy rash. You don’t need your itchy bug bite to evolve into an itchy allergic rash to your itch cream. Many “itch creams” contain diphenhydramine so read labels.
Does moisturizing your skin help to soothe bug bites that itch?
Dry skin always itches more. Moisturize after your bath or shower with a hypoallergenic skin cream or lotion such as my All Natural Face, Hand and Body Lotion.
Remember, use cooler water to bathe skin because it will soothe itch and help reduce swelling.
Use cool compresses or an ice pack to reduce itching from bug bites.
Cooling will cause the blood vessels to constrict so there is less swelling. It also confuses your nerves; when they are sending messages about the cold, they lower the volume on the messages about itch.
Why will it help to take an antihistamine for itchy mosquito bites?
Bug bite reactions are all about histamine. Antihistamines will block the histamine receptors and blunt the reaction. Some antihistamines will make you drowsy and some won’t. They’ll all work to soothe the itch of bug bites.
At what point should you see a doctor for mosquito bites?
See a doctor if the bites become infected. If they do, you may need a prescription to treat the infection and keep it from getting worse or spreading to other parts of your skin. Bacteria enters skin wounds and a scratched mosquito bite is a wound! Impetigo from scratching the skin can be serious.
Worrisome signs of a mosquito bite include:
Your skin becomes redder instead of healing as the days pass. Tenderness develops, and the scab becomes moist.We describe the crust of impetigo as a “honey colored crust,” and it sits on top of a red and tender area of skin. It gets worse and worse instead of better as time passes. These are the signs that it’s time to ask for medical help.
Mosquito bites can be really annoying, but try not to scratch them!
Treat your mosquito bites with care and watch them carefully to ensure they are healing correctly. This way, you’ll feel less itch and avoid having to see a medical doctor for a more severe problem!
To learn more about treating your skin with my all natural body lotion and other products, click here.
About The Author
Share this Post