Why do mosquito bites itch? These are the dangers of scratching.
Why do mosquito bites itch so much? What you should know about scratching insect bites.
If you’re hiking in the woods, it’s probably no surprise if you get bitten by a mosquito along the way. However, sometimes a mosquito bite can seem to come out of nowhere.
Mosquito bites are annoying, and the redness, itching and swelling that come with a bite is something we would all rather avoid. But as uncomfortable as a mosquito bite can be, it can be easy to find relief.
While there is no one “right” way to treat a mosquito bite, Dr. Courtney Cotter, DO, an allergist and immunologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, shares some approaches to help relieve your symptoms.
Why do I get bitten by mosquitoes so often?
Mosquitoes are attracted to sweat, “which can be influenced by our diet, our hygiene or our genetics,” says Cotter. They are also attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale. Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide “from quite a distance” and will follow “anyone they want to bite, whether it’s a human or an animal,” says Cotter.
Mosquitoes are also attracted to dark colors. “If you wear a lot of black or navy blue, they may be more attracted to you than if you wear white or cream, for example.” Body heat is a similar magnet for mosquitoes because they have “heat receptors that allow them to sense the heat of people and other animals from a distance.”
Additionally, there is growing evidence that blood type is a factor in how attractive someone is to mosquitoes. A 2019 study found that blood type O is the most preferred by mosquitoes compared to other blood types.
What to use for mosquito bites
What’s the best way to relieve the redness, swelling and relentless itching of a mosquito bite? “It varies quite a bit depending on what works for you,” says Cotter, but usually mosquito bites heal on their own and you don’t need to do anything.
“However, if the itching is really severe, there are some things you can do to relieve the itching,” she says.
“The first option would be to take medications with active ingredients such as cetirizine or fexofenadine,” recommends Cotter. Both are non-sedating antihistamines that effectively relieve itching. Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) are common over-the-counter brand names of these medications.
If your mosquito bite is large, red and inflamed, you can apply a cold compress for 20 minutes and leave it off for 20 minutes. In theory, this will “reduce the blood supply a little bit and stop the swelling,” she says. But when you apply a cold compress to a mosquito bite, “you’re actually overcoming your body’s itching sensation.”
“Some patients have a very strong reaction and may benefit from a topical steroid,” she adds. An over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream helps most people, “but doctors may prescribe a slightly stronger hydrocortisone or other stronger steroids for patients who have more severe local reactions,” she says.
What prevents mosquitoes from biting you?
“Using insect repellents that contain active ingredients like DEET can be very helpful,” Cotter says. And “wearing light long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks (or) closed-toe shoes” are steps you can take to prevent mosquitoes from coming into contact with your skin, she says.
In addition, it is important that you avoid peak mosquito population times (dawn and dusk), remove any standing water nearby, and ensure that the windows in your home are fitted with fly screens.
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