Are You Allergic to Mosquito Bites?
Each year millions of us have the not so enjoyable experience of getting bitten by a mosquito, especially during the summer months almost everywhere! Are there more mosquitos or more of us getting bitten? Yup, according to a recent study which found a three fold increase in bites over the past decade or so? This could be just another effect of global warming.
What is the reason why some of us experience a larger reaction (increased area of swelling and redness at the bite site) vs. those who seem to have pretty low key reactions? The answer may be in whether or not you are sensitive to the proteins present in the insect’s saliva; hence you are allergic to mosquito bites!
There are a variety of reactions mosquito bites may cause, varying from a small amount of redness, swelling and itchiness, all the way up to those who experience extensive redness and swelling. Rarely, a full blown generalized allergic reaction (Skeeter’s syndrome) can be seen as well. In fact one of my patients recently required emergency department treatment, including intravenous medication for a severe reaction to her bites.
Get tested for mosquito allergy!
Recently, I have begun performing an in-office, quick, simple skin test to determine if you are truly “allergic” or sensitive to mosquitoes. Always consult with your health care provider if you experience large generalized reactions after getting bitten by a mosquito, or another insect. Evaluation is mandatory for those who have experienced a generalized allergic type reaction to any biting, or stinging insect. Be prepared if you seem to get lots of bad mosquito bites. Have a mosquito bite treatment plan in place.
An ounce of prevention is worth a lot.
That means defensive measures really work and may give you a leg up in avoiding “the bite!” First, those who smell nice (use scented products) and sweat a lot may be more attractive to mosquitoes. Second, prime biting times are usually dawn and dusk. Third, wearing long sleeves and pants (tucked in to shoes) reduces exposed areas, particularly if you will be hiking or walking in a wooded area.
How to repel
There is a variety of DEET-containing insect repellent products ranging from a concentration of 5-10 percent, all the way up to 30-40 percent. The strength of the DEET will dictate how long (hours) you may remain “bite-free.” Alternatively, natural (eucalyptus oils, etc) insect repellent products are available. Use these products as directed on the label.
Now if you are unlucky and get bitten, bite treatment can provide significant relief. Cleaning the area of the bite is essential, and using an over the counter or a prescription strength steroid cream will reduce itch and localized discomfort. Remember, a cool ice compress will also reduce swelling.
Hope this helps to keep you bite free, and take the “sting” out of summer!
Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
Tags: allergic, allergic reaction, allergies, DEET, Dr. Clifford Bassett, itch, mosquito bite, swelling
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Both my husband and my son are very allergic to mosquitos. My husband will actually get huge lumps that turn yellow when he gets bitten – thankfully, my son is not that bad, but he does get bigger bumps when bitten. What my husband does is run the affected area under water as hot as he can stand several times over a few minutes. For him, not only does that stop the itch, but he doesn’t swell either. Doesn’t work for me, though : ) Mosquitos seem to love me, as well. I don’t swell up, but it itches like crazy.
Thank You! I always had severe reactions to bites as a child. I seem to have “grown out of it” but see my son and niece suffer the same response. I have had many people tell me I am being silly, EVERYONE is “allergic” to mosquitos and when you try to expalin they roll their eyes. “I get bumps too” Now I feel a slight vindication in your words.
I too have severe reactions and always thought I was allergic to the bites, only to have someone tell me I was wrong, that we ALL were allergic to them. My bites swell and form blisters and pus will come out of the “head” of them as well. One of my sons suffers the same type of reaction.
I’ve used a strong (7:1) mix of water:pennyroyal oil since 1999. It smells a LOT better than deet and unless you are pregnant, or drink the entire bottle, it has no potential to do you harm. My first test of the combo was silly: I was hiking the Rogue and put a bottle of it in my pack. New spraybottle and it all leaked out the morning of the first day into my pack. Whooosh. Too much of any smell, no matter how pleasant, can be bad. Didn’t see a mosquito for 3 days. When the smell finally wore off, though, by the night of the fourth day, it was mosquito chomp time. More than 50 bites that first night. Yick.
The best treatment for mosquito bites – spray the bite area immediately with lidocaine and aloe sunburn gel. Keeps the swelling down and minimizes the itching.
My 2.5 yr old daughter is highly allergic…so much so we’ve taken her 2x to the emergency room and been prescribed Keflex. Our pediatrician recommeded Avon’s “Skin So Soft”. Jury is still out on that as we’ve just resigned to keep her indoors and covered! And the newly prescribed Epi Pen is always within grabbing distance.
The odd thing is that neither her mom nor I have a severe allergy to the bites.
The article has brought to an end my long journey of suffering from musiquito bites. I will try out the defensive measures this coming dusk. God bless.
I am acutely allergic to mosquito bites. I ge huge welts about the size of half dollars, a huge bump at the site that turns bright red, and can itch for days, disappear, and then reappear a week later and continue to itch. This summer after reading an article on the internet, I tried the suggestions in that article and have found that taking Zyrtec every day (even if I don’t feel like I need it for allergies), and treating any bites immediately with Extra Strength Afterbite, which can be found in many drug stores and chain stores, will reduce the swelling, itching and longevity of the effects of bites. It was amazing how well this works. This is the first summer in years that I have been relatively comfortable, despite living in an area that is infested with mosquitoes. I have been bitten, but not had anywhere near the reactions as in the past. It’s worth a try.
Mosquitoes love me, and I have the bites to prove it when I’m not properly prepared with DEET. Inexpensive over the counter hydrocortisone cream has been very affective in keeping the itch at bay for me, and with the itch contained, the bite area heals faster instead of constantly being scratched raw. I will attest the ‘Skin So Soft’ actual bug repellant product (not the regular ‘Skin So Soft’ bathing stuff) does work around Harpers Ferry, WV, along the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers’ region to repel the bugs. Unfortunately, Avon’s Skin So Soft bug repellant doesn’t work as well down in North Carolina where I’ve re-located. Also geraniums, citronella, basil, rosemary, and mint plants generate an aroma that mosquitoes don’t like…best to have a perimeter of these plants around the outside play/social areas of the home. The only way to trigger the smell is to shake the plants a little every so many minutes while outside. The pennyroyal oil 7:1 mix sounds like a promising natural solution and alternative to DEET…I’ll try it, thanks!
so, do you give an epipen or twinject if someone has a positive skin test to mosquito?
The skeeter reaction is similar to large locals you get with bees and is not a skin infection (thus no antibiotics needed)
I’m also one of those that has a massive reaction to mosquito bites–big welts. I’m a little surprised, since the writer of the article mentioned this was an allergic reaction, that he didn’t recommend Benadryl to counteract the itch.
This has worked wonders for me. The minute I notice I have bites, I take Benadryl every 4-6 hours for a few days. It counteracts the itch until I get over the hump of the itchniess. It also seems to help me get over the bites more quickly than without this treatment.
I’ve used over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams and other anti-itch creams, but the Benadryl has worked so much better for me.