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Allergy & Asthma Advocate: Summer 2008
Taking the Bite Out of Bugs
By Stephanie S. Park, MD, and Iftikhar Hussain, MD, FAAAAIBaseball games, barbeques and pool parties – summer is finally here! Unfortunately, summertime also means more mosquitoes. While mosquitoes can carry blood-borne diseases like malaria, West Nile encephalitis and dengue fever, their bite is what gives them their notoriety.
Only female mosquitoes bite. Heat, light, sweat, body odor, lactic acid and carbon dioxide attract the female mosquito to your skin. She inserts the tip of her mouth into a tiny blood vessel, injects her saliva into your bloodstream, and then sucks your blood. Contact must last at least six seconds in order for a reaction to occur. Chemicals in mosquito saliva can prevent your blood from clotting and evoke an immune response that we commonly witness as redness, swelling and itching.
A mosquito bite can cause a variety of reactions. People who have never been bitten before (primarily children) may not react at all. If sensitized, you may develop a tiny, itchy red bump that appears hours to days after you have been bitten and may last a few days. Some people, however, have more serious reactions, like blistering lesions or larger hives accompanied by fever and joint swelling. At its worst, a mosquito bite can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by throat swelling, generalized hives, faintness or wheezing. This reaction is rarely caused by mosquitoes and is more commonly associated with bee or wasp stings.
Treatment Tips
Here are some ways you can treat a bite:
- Elevate the affected area and apply ice to reduce swelling and pain
- Apply over-the-counter lotion to the affected area
- Clean blisters with soap and water without breaking them
- If itching persists, try topical steroids or oral antihistamines
- Consult a physician if the swelling progresses or the area appears infected
- Carry auto-injectable epinephrine if there is any concern for anaphylaxis
Tips to Avoid Mosquitoes
Several tips may help you avoid these pesky creatures:
- Minimize outdoor exposure during peak mosquito time: dusk to dawn
- Avoid standing near calm, shaded, humid areas and avoid pools of standing water
- Avoid bright clothing and heavy perfumes while outdoors
- Wear clothing that covers most of your skin
- Use insect repellents containing DEET. Note: Read the label of your repellent! DEET will often be listed under the Active Ingredients as N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. Products with 6%-25% DEET should provide 2 to 6 hours of protection. There are side effects, including eye irritation, dry skin and rash and possible allergic reaction. Before applying to your entire body, use the repellent on a test area of skin to ensure tolerance. Use the lowest concentration that is effective for you and reapply as needed.
For more tips on insect bites, visit the Patients & Consumers Center of the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org, and read the Stinging Insect Allergy: Tips to Remember brochure.
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