Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are insects that feed on different kinds of food to survive. Male mosquitoes feed primarily on flower nectars. Whereas only female mosquitoes “bite” the host to feed on blood so they can be able to produce offspring. When the female mosquito “bites”, it bores a very small hole on the skin and injects its saliva, which contains protein that prevents blood clotting for continuous drawing of blood until they are satisfied.

There’s no known reason why some individual are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes that any other people. Some scientists commented that it might be the chemical that the person emits from the body because of reaction to the environment.

Major reasons why there’s mosquitoes:

• Presence of stagnant waters where mosquito can lay eggs
• Presence of desirable mosquito breeding area (wooded, forest areas)
• Undisturbed dark areas inside the house or in stockrooms

Causes of Mosquito Bites

• Dirty environments
• Mosquito’s needs to produce eggs
• Wearing of sweet and flowery perfumes
• Lack of preventive measures

Symptoms of Mosquito Bites

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Skin infection
• Allergic rashes

• Some mosquitoes can cause high fever that leads to various diseases such as Malaria, Lyme, and West Nile Fever. It can also infect people being a viral vector or it carries viruses that can cause disease such as Filariasis and Elephantiasis.

Treatment / Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

Mild Soap:
Usually hypoallergenic soaps for babies, just rub the soap in the affected area

Garlic:
Rub a piece of garlic in the affected area to prevent swelling

Rubbing Alcohol:
Apply in the affected area to reduce itching

Ice Pack:
Apply in the affected areas immediate relief from itchiness

Vinegar:
Apply directly into the affected area using a piece of cotton

Baking Soda:
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with few drops of water good enough to produce a paste. Apply in the affected area.

Aspirin:
Crush a tablet of aspirin and mix with a few drops of water to make a paste, Apply in the affected areas

Essential Oils:
Tea Tree, Witch Hazel, Cedar, Lavender Oil – apply in full strength directly into the affected area

Basil:
Crush a few leaves and rub in the affected area

Lemon:
Slice a lemon and rub or make a lemon juice and apply in the affected area

Prevention of Mosquito Bites

Always keep your surroundings clean
Wear long sleeves and pants when in mosquito infested areas
Apply commercially available anti mosquito bites lotion
Use mosquito nets if sleeping in a mosquito infested areas
Don’t stock bottles and other things susceptible for mosquitoes to proliferate
Eradicate stagnant waters in the area or if can’t avoid be sure to put covers in it