Identify Mosquito Bites And Possible Reactions To Them

According to Pest World For Kids, there are approximately 10 quintillion bugs found all over the world. Some are insects while others are yet to be discovered, and so there could be more than this approximate number. Moreover, some of these bugs are “friendly” in that they just go about their life without interfering with yours. However, there are others that need a blood meal to reproduce and complete their life cycles. In the process, you may end up being bitten. How do you know which bug bit you?

The Bug Culprits

As indicated above, there are some bugs that are likely to cross your path- and most times in an unfriendly way. Here are the ones that are likely to bite you:

Symptoms of bug bites provide clues to the cause and severity. For example, most bug bites cause red bumps with pain, itching, or burning. Some bug bites also feature blisters or welts. Here are some common bug bite clues:

• Bedbugs leave a small bite mark on the skin that is red and itchy or in rare cases causes a serious allergic reaction.

• Beestings cause a red skin bump with white around it.

• Flea bites leave an itchy welt on the skin, often on the ankles and legs.

• Mosquitoes leave a raised, itchy pink skin bump or in rare cases a severe allergic reaction.

• Spider bites cause minor symptoms like red skin, swelling, and pain at the site or very serious symptoms that need emergency care.

• Ticks can carry Lyme disease, and their bite leaves a rash that looks like an expanding bull’s-eye. Read more at Everyday Health

These tiny bugs can cause discomfort and in some cases extreme pain.

Mosquito Bite Reaction

More than just the normal reaction, some children have an adverse reaction to mosquito bites. Before you get a misdiagnosis, here’s what you should know about this reaction to mosquitoes:

Unfortunately, some children will have what’s known as a large local reaction, or “Skeeter syndrome.” This happens due to an allergy to mosquito saliva. These patients develop redness and swelling within hours of a mosquito bite. The swelling can be very large (like an entire arm or leg) and typically worsens over 1-2 days. In the worse reactions there can be bruising and even blistering!

It’s not always easy even for your doctor to tell the difference between “Skeeter syndrome” and a skin infection. One of the big differences is the timeline. Skin infections usually happen several days after a bite or an injury, but “Skeeter syndrome” usually starts within a few hours of a bite. Most often children with a large local reaction will complain about intense itching. Only in the more severe cases are pain and fever seen with allergy. It’s not common, but some even develop severe allergic reactions to mosquito bites that lead to difficulty breathing. Read more at Checkup Newsroom

So, if your child has an adverse reaction soon after a mosquito bite, it could be a case of “Skeeter syndrome.”

Mosquito Bite Risks

Not all mosquito bites transmit infections. However, there are several possibilities of illnesses caused by mosquitoes. Here are some of them:

Malaria: Parasites cause this life-threatening disease by infecting and destroying red blood cells. To control and treat malaria, early diagnosis is crucial.

West Nile virus: Most people with West Nile Virus show no symptoms, although some develop a fever or other flu-like symptoms. For a small number of people with the virus, a serious illness develops in the nervous system.

Zika virus: This is a generally mild condition that initially causes fever, joint pain, and rash. The initial symptoms of Zika usually pass after 1 week, but the disease can lead to congenital anomalies if a woman becomes pregnant after receiving a mosquito bite.

Yellow fever: This virus causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Its symptoms include fever and sore throat. Read more at Medical News Today

Dengue and Chikungunya are other mosquito-borne illnesses to beware of.

The best way to keep your family safe from mosquito bites is to bug-proof your home. And the best partner to work with is Backyard Bug Patrol. Our team of experts will ensure your home is habitable and safe even during summer.