Mosquitoes have bitten each of us; they spare neither children, nor the elderly, nor us and our pets. Almost 100 species of mosquitoes that bite and are dangerous to humans live in Russia.
Moreover, in different regions of the country, mosquitoes can differ significantly from each other - in some places they are larger, in others they are very small, causing severe allergies and itching.
However, only female mosquitoes bite people and animals; males are completely harmless and do not pose any danger to humans.
Who is most often bitten by mosquitoes?
Many parents, coming from the dacha with their children, notice that the child has a lot of mosquito bites, and they only have 1 or 2. Why is this happening, they wonder. Yes, because mosquitoes most often bite children; they have thinner and more delicate skin, which is easier to bite through.
Let's list who mosquitoes like to bite the most:
- children;
- fair-skinned people, their skin is thinner;
- people who sweat a lot because they are attracted by the smell of sweat and the warmth emanating from a person;
- girls during menstruation, pregnant women - the body secretes hormones.
If you fall into the category of those who are most often bitten by female mosquitoes, then before going out into nature you should take care of your protection from bites and get rid of the negative consequences.
Products from the My Sun® line for protection against insects
Mosquitoes see poorly (up to 1.5 meters) and do not “hear” very well. They search for their prey by the concentration of carbon dioxide exhaled by warm-blooded animals and humans, thermal radiation and the smell of the “microbial landscape” of a person, which is activated by sweating.
The mechanism of action of the main repellents is based on the “make-a-person-invisible” principle. They mask the odor that is attractive to mosquitoes, and it does not stick to the skin. For example, the well-known diethyltoluolamide (DEET) neutralizes the odor of lactic acid. But this substance itself is quite toxic; it is not recommended for use in products for children under 2 years of age. And it is better to apply it to clothes, not to skin.
The IR3535® repellent is similar in structure to the amino acid beta-alanine and is completely harmless to humans. But insects cannot stand its smell, and do not even land on skin coated with this substance.
Children's repellents My Sun® based on one of the most modern and safe ingredients - IR3535® - provide effective protection for children from the unpleasant and sometimes dangerous consequences of a mosquito bite.
That is why, in the fight against blood-sucking insects, use the My Sun® line of products, developed specifically for children:
Children's mosquito repellent spray My Sunshine®
The safe composition is designed specifically for babies from 3 months. Suitable for adults. Allowed for use by women during pregnancy. Effectively protects against mosquitoes, horseflies and other flying insects (sandflies, midges, midges).
Children's protective mosquito repellent cream My Sunshine®
If you are going to have active outdoor recreation, and not only your baby’s clothes, but also exposed skin areas require protection, additionally use My Sun® cream. Its effect lasts up to 2 hours, but if necessary, we recommend applying it more often.
Where and how many days or years do mosquitoes live?
Such questions are usually asked by children to their parents. Female mosquitoes live on average 2-3 months unless they die from chemicals, starve, or are caught by humans. Males live much shorter lives, only about 2 weeks. There is a misconception that they can live for several years.
Where do mosquitoes live? Mosquitoes can live anywhere, the main condition is a fairly warm temperature from +10C +15C and high humidity. Mosquitoes prefer to live and breed near ponds, swamps and rivers; they adore forests.
Where else can you find them? They love to live in dry grass, treetops, on farms near manure, in cellars and basements, outbuildings and country houses.
Therefore, before choosing a place where you will build a summer house, think about the presence of mosquitoes. Otherwise, your holiday at the countryside may be spoiled, you will be bitten, etc.
You should not choose areas located in the forest itself or next to it, or near abandoned reservoirs and ponds. This is where mosquitoes live and breed, and they won’t mind feasting on your blood.
What does a mosquito bite look like?
The main discomfort from a mosquito bite is itching, which is difficult to bear. You want to scratch the affected area, but after that the irritation only intensifies - toxins spread further through the blood, the itching intensifies.
It is not difficult to determine the location of the bite - the area of skin around it swells and swells. This is how the body's immune system reacts to the invasion of foreign bodies. For most people, all the consequences of such contact with insects end with a few minutes of discomfort from itching. But, unfortunately, for allergy sufferers the situation may be more serious, even leading to the development of anaphylactic shock.
Why does the place where you were bitten by a mosquito itch and swell?
Before a female mosquito begins to suck blood from a child, adult or animal, she introduces an enzyme into the blood that prevents the blood from clotting. This substance is the culprit of allergies, irritation and itching on human skin.
Allergy to mosquito bites, as we said a little earlier, occurs differently for everyone. There have been cases where multiple bites even led to the death of a person.
But fortunately, in most people the allergy occurs in the form of toothache, redness, and sometimes red bumps appear on the arms or legs.
Moreover, the allergy may not appear immediately, but after a few hours - you will develop a large blister similar to a pimple, which will itch very much and this itching will be difficult to fight. If you or your child suffer from such an allergy, then you should always carry Suprastin, Tavigil or similar tablets with you.
It's all about chemistry.
The mosquito's meal lasts about thirty seconds. But before this, a special substance saturated with anticoagulants, digestive enzyme, histamine and many other microorganisms enters the blood through the insect’s proboscis. Thanks to this, the clotting process in the blood stops, and the mosquito can safely receive its portion. After this, due to the action of histamine, swelling, redness and itching appear. This substance remains in the wound and causes the immune system to produce an allegorical reaction. Due to this, the bite site begins to itch.
What to do after a mosquito bite and how to cope with the itching?
- If you have allergies and have been severely bitten by mosquitoes, then be sure to take a pill to treat allergies (Suprastin, Tavigil, Zyrtec, Claritin).
- How to apply mosquito bites to a child? Buy an ointment with an anesthetic at the pharmacy; a little freezing will reduce the sensitivity of the child’s skin and the bite will practically not itch.
- Do you have swelling and severe allergies? Then take a suprastin tablet and apply ice, wrapped in a towel, or make a cold compress to the bite sites.
- It may seem strange to you, but you can combat the itch from a mosquito bite with a simple toothpaste. The cheapest one, not a gel one, will do.
To get rid of itching, you can use the following folk remedies:
- apply star balm to the sore spot;
- immediately after the bite, wipe the blister with hydrogen peroxide;
- a good folk remedy is the following: mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water, wipe the bite area with a cotton swab;
- You can reduce itching and allergies using raw potatoes;
- if your child itches a lot, and there is practically nothing at hand, then lubricate the pimples with brilliant green or a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- What else can you do - apply raw garlic or squeeze onion juice;
- Another folk remedy is dandelion juice.
Before going outdoors, go to the store and buy anti-itching and mosquito bite remedies (Mosquitol, Picnic and Deta balms will help you quickly get rid of irritation and reduce the bite).
The above remedies will help you and your child get rid of swelling, itching and burning after encountering mosquitoes. Now you know what to do to reduce the terrible consequences of the infection.
News
Mosquitoes spoil our holidays not only in nature and near water bodies, but also while at home. One common claim is that people with a certain blood type are bitten more often by mosquitoes. But one of the reasons mosquitoes choose their “victims” is the smell of the human body. Lyudmila Lapushkina, a dermatologist at polyclinic No. 2 of the Central Clinical Medical Unit, told how to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
— Why are mosquito bites dangerous?
-The mosquito bite itself is often painless, but the consequences can be serious. After biting the skin, the mosquito injects an anticoagulant. It is what prevents blood clotting and causes swelling and redness. Mosquito saliva quickly spreads to adjacent tissues. This is why a mosquito bite itches. Scratching the bite site will only make the itching worse. Allergies to mosquito bites are rare. However, the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms cannot be ruled out. Sensitive people may experience more or less allergy symptoms. They are accompanied by swelling, headache, dizziness, nausea, and increased body temperature. It is important to know what to do if a person is bitten by a mosquito, the temperature rises above 38 degrees, severe itching occurs, convulsions or asthma attacks occur, severe headaches, chills, and dizziness occur. The situation may be complicated by loss of consciousness or vomiting. In this case, you should immediately call a doctor.
— What clothes will protect you from mosquitoes?
-It is better to prevent insect bites than to deal with their consequences. Therefore, in order to protect yourself and your health from annoying mosquitoes, you should protect yourself. The safest “non-chemical” protection is closed clothing. Therefore, when going outdoors, it is better to choose clothes with long sleeves, preferably made of thick fabric, something else for your head, and pants for your legs - and the mosquito will not get to you. In addition, light-colored clothes will help, which mosquitoes do not like, and therefore actively will not attack. However, you can dress like this when it’s cool outside. If it’s hot and your arms and legs are bare, you can use special means against mosquito bites.
— How to protect yourself from mosquitoes?
-Special creams, sprays, and lotions will help protect you from bites. However, store-bought products can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, if you have a tendency to do this, you should consult a doctor. Or do a test - apply the product to the inner surface of the forearm and wait a certain time - see if there is any irritation.
— How to protect children from mosquitoes?
-When choosing creams or lotions against mosquito bites for children, a dermatologist advises following the recommendations indicated on the packaging. As a rule, such products can be applied to children from two to three years of age. If the baby is not allergic, these products themselves do not cause any particular harm. Another thing is that the baby is too “sensitive” to allergies - then you need to consult a doctor. If a child experiences itching after a mosquito bite, be sure to disinfect the wound. To prevent infection, do not allow your baby to “comb” it. The same applies to adults - the main thing is not to itch the mosquito bites!
— What repels mosquitoes? -To get rid of mosquitoes indoors, if possible, you should install mosquito nets. The effect will be greater if you spray the mesh with essential oil of citrus fruits, pine needles or geranium. Mosquitoes also do not like various specific rich odors of smoke. You can scare them away with the help of smoke from pine needles, cones thrown into the fire (if you are outdoors), a few drops of camphor or cedar oil. Tobacco smoke and the smell of valerian also repel mosquitoes. The same products will help get rid of midges and flies. A tablespoon of edible clove decoction mixed with the same amount of any cologne will also help get rid of mosquitoes for a while. Or, as an option, cut a lemon in half and insert clove buds into it. Place the “composition” next to the bed and you can sleep with the window open. A pleasant smell and the absence of mosquitoes are guaranteed.
— Is mosquito fumigator harmful?
-An electric fumigator with plates is also effective against mosquitoes. It's like a small device that plugs into an outlet. Its principle of operation is simple: a cardboard plate soaked in insecticide, or a can of the same drug, but in liquid form, is heated. The heat causes the insecticide to evaporate, and after 10-12 minutes the surrounding mosquitoes lose interest in you. The range of action of a good fumigator is 12 square meters. meters. An hour before you should go to bed, it is better to turn off the device. Despite its effectiveness, its effect is harmful, especially for children and pregnant women. Therefore, it is better to use a fumigator when no one is in the house and at the same time ventilate the room. If, when using the device, a headache occurs, unexpected rashes on the skin, a stuffy nose or a sore throat, it is better to refuse it.
— What to do if a mosquito bites you?
If the “little vampire” has already bitten, you first need to reduce the itching. You can again use special products: creams, lotions. Or you can choose traditional methods. The simplest one is to treat the affected area with calendula tincture. Or wet the bite area with a regular soda solution - 1 teaspoon per glass of water and lubricate with lemon juice. If it was not possible to protect yourself from mosquitoes, the blisters from the bites become inflamed, and the itching does not go away for a long time and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, you must seek qualified medical help at a clinic.
Preventing mosquito bite allergies in adults at home
These pests may seem impossible to avoid, but there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting bitten by a mosquito. You should stay indoors as much as possible from dusk to dawn - this is the peak time for mosquitoes.
During the day, you should not be near calm, shaded, damp places and avoid pools with stagnant water. These are popular habitats where mosquitoes hang out.
What a person wears can attract mosquitoes. Avoid brightly colored clothing and heavy perfumes, and wear clothing that covers most of the skin to minimize the likelihood of mosquito bites.
You can use insect repellents that contain DEET. Read the repellent label carefully. DEET is often listed as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide on the active ingredient list. Products containing 6 to 25% DEET should provide 2 to 6 hours of protection. Repellents may cause side effects, including eye irritation, dry skin, rashes and possible allergic reactions. Test the repellent on a small area of skin before applying it all over your body. Use the lowest concentration that is effective for you and reapply as necessary.
How to prevent mosquito attacks?
Already knowing why mosquitoes make your skin itch, you can protect yourself. The first thing you need to do is install mosquito nets in your house. Then you can calmly ventilate rooms in hot weather without fear of being bitten. We also recommend adhering to the following preventive measures:
- When going outdoors, wear clothes that will cover areas of your body.
- Use special aerosols and gels that repel mosquitoes.
- Mosquitoes cannot stand the smell of tomatoes. You can plant them on your balcony to repel insects.
- A fumigator is a network-powered device. A special plate is inserted into it, which spreads a smell throughout the room that repels mosquitoes. Such a device does not harm humans.
In most cases, the above prevention methods help avoid mosquito bites. If they do appear, then you should not damage them. It is better to treat the affected area with an antiseptic or iodine.
How does an allergy to a mosquito bite manifest in adults?
If a person has developed a mosquito allergy, they may experience some of the following symptoms:
- significantly greater swelling from the bite (especially if more than 2 ruble coins);
- large itching area;
- blisters in the bite area;
- bruise near the bite;
- hives around the bite site;
- inflammation of the lymphatic system;
- anaphylaxis (swelling of the throat and breathing problems).
In some cases, a very serious reaction may occur and you should seek immediate medical attention. These warning symptoms may include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, fatigue, light sensitivity, confusion, or neurological symptoms.
Good to know
Anaphylactic shock: why is this condition dangerous?
Effective medications
The most effective remedy is antihistamines. They can be taken either internally (in tablet form) or externally (sprays, creams and ointments). Most often, the following drugs are used to eliminate itching: Fenistil, Levomekol, Radevit and Bepanten. They do not cause side effects. Before using the medications, be sure to read the instructions; there are contraindications. The ointment is applied to clean, dry skin 2 to 4 times a day. You can eliminate unpleasant symptoms in just one day.
Read also: The skin on the hands cracks and itches: causes of itching, dry skin on the palms
What is the danger of a bite?
Mosquitoes bite a huge number of people every day. Therefore, they can cause infectious diseases in humans. The most dangerous disease is malaria. Most cases of infection occur in African countries. People with malaria experience fever, headache, rash and weakness.
An equally dangerous disease transmitted through mosquito bites is the Zika virus. The symptoms of this infection are similar to malaria. Malaise usually appears a few days after an insect bite. Treatment for infection is to drink plenty of fluids and rest. It is also worth taking medications to relieve fever.
Read also: Body skin itches after sunbathing, how to relieve itching after a sunburn
