Mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are just one more indicator that the warmer and nicer days have begun. In other words, summer is on its way. During the warmer months, nature wakes up, and with it, insects wake up and reproduce rapidly. We spend more time in nature.
Summer walks, picnics on the terrace or in nature, hiking and mushroom picking give mosquitoes more opportunities to cause stings. Of course, we are all familiar with the annoying sound of mosquitoes in the house or apartment in the evening, when we try to lower the temperature by ventilating, thus attracting various unwanted insects.
Mosquito bites are one of the most annoying insect bites.
Female mosquitoes have long, tubular cilia that pierce the skin to get to our blood. When they bite into an open wound, they also release mosquito saliva, which contains proteins that our bodies are allergic to. The result is the well-known red and itchy bump.
When you get stung by a mosquito, it is important to remember that an allergic reaction is not dangerous as such in most cases, but it is usually very disturbing.
When mosquitoes bite, they inject a small amount of methanoic acid (also known as formic acid) under the top of the skin, which triggers an allergic reaction. In most cases, this reaction results in a small and itchy swelling that can last for several days (especially if you can't resist touching the itchy sore).
To help avoid over-touching the site of a bug bite, insect bite creams and ointments are recommended .
The intensity of symptoms depends on two factors:
- The type of mosquito that stung us (tiger, Asian, Japanese and Korean, etc...).
- Sensitivity to insect stings. In some people, the allergic reaction is more intense than in others.
You can identify a mosquito bite by:
Small, round bumps that appear within minutes of a mosquito bite.
Over time, the bumps become red, larger and itchy.
It is common to find several mosquito bites on several areas of the body (arms, legs, feet).
Prevention: insect spray, electronic mosquito repellent, mosquito bracelets.
A comparison of a protective spray and a cream can be found here.
After the peak: creme and gels for problems after insect bites. Gels containing aloe vera can also be used due to their cooling properties.