Mosquito bites can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. The intensity of the reaction can increase with the number of bites. Using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and washing the bite area can reduce the risk of a reaction. Seek medical attention for severe symptoms.
Mosquito bites aren’t generally considered dangerous, but some people can experience a severe allergic reaction to them. In addition to the life-threatening reactions that cause the windpipe to swell and interfere with breathing, an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite can be as mild as a simple red, itchy area around the bite. The intensity of a reaction to a mosquito bite typically correlates with the amount of times the person has been bitten.
When a mosquito bites a person, it breaks through the skin. The body recognizes the mosquito saliva in the bite as foreign. Generally, the body produces small, itchy bumps where the insect has bitten. The immune system learns from experience, so the next time a mosquito bites the person, the immune response is quicker and can be much more intense.
Instead of a small area that responds to a bite, a strong allergic reaction to a mosquito bite can occur. Where the last bite produced only a mildly irritating itch and lump, the new bite could result in a large area of inflammation, where the skin is red, swollen, and itchy.
This form of reaction is fairly mild, though unpleasant, and can take up to two days to manifest after the bite. Although bite reactions tend to worsen after initial recognition of the mosquito’s saliva by the immune system, in countries where mosquitoes are very common, the reverse can also occur. Adults who have had many bites during their lives tend to become less sensitive to saliva and therefore do not experience as many symptoms as those who experience bites infrequently.
A much more serious form of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening condition in which the immune system has an extreme reaction to saliva and endangers the life of the person who has been bitten. A rash, blotches and hives are some of the signs of this reaction. Anaphylaxis can also close the airways, causing wheezing and difficulty breathing. The throat may swell, along with the face, and the person may have itchy skin all over their body.
Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include diarrhea and vomiting. Unusual anxiety and fainting may also occur, as can an increased heart rate. All symptoms require prompt medical treatment. Other problems, such as fever, headache, or an enlarged lymph gland, may indicate a mosquito-borne illness, especially if the person has recently been to an exotic country.
People at risk of an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite can reduce their risk by using insect repellent and by staying inside at dusk and dawn, when the insects are feeding. Clothing that covers exposed skin can also help. Washing the area of a new bite with soap and water can reduce the localized allergic reaction.
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