Consequences of mosquito bites
The main symptoms after a mosquito bite are known to everyone - itching, swelling and redness of the skin. Typically, inflammation occurs locally and goes away within a few hours. But people with sensitive skin, allergy sufferers, and children sometimes experience a strong reaction:
- extensive redness of the skin;
- formation of compactions that do not go away for a long time;
- temperature increase;
- urticaria and asthma attacks.
When scratching a bite, there is a possibility of infection getting into the wound. In order to prevent such consequences, when blood-sucking insects appear, you will need to stock up on the necessary means of protection against them.
Why does the reaction occur?
When a mosquito bites, the immune system reacts.
Due to the body's defense, an itchy lump is formed, which in fact is allergic edema. Mosquito saliva contains certain anticoagulant proteins that prevent clotting so that the insect can absorb blood unhindered. When these substances enter the human body, swelling and redness occur. This occurs due to the production of histamine in the body. Histamine increases blood flow and the number of white blood cells around the affected area, which causes inflammation and swelling. Itching occurs because the same histamine sends a signal to the nerves around the affected area. Rating: 10 best mosquito repellents
Rating: 10 best mosquito repellents
Even the best spray against mosquitoes and ticks in nature does not always protect against other blood-sucking insects...
netkomaram.ru
Open ›
But in medical practice there are cases when the body does not react to bites. There are also cases where, over time, tolerance to substances that enter the body is developed. But, as a rule, an allergic reaction persists throughout life.
Possible complications
In some people, severe allergies can cause anaphylactic shock. In this case, the following symptoms can be observed:
- difficulty breathing;
- swelling of the face;
- hives
If anaphylactic shock develops, immediate medical attention is required and an injection of epinephrine through an EpiPen is usually used.
Go to website
Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products against itching from mosquito bites
The unbearable itching after a mosquito bite is caused by the poison getting under the human skin. An allergic reaction occurs at the site of the bite. Therefore, the main actions are reduced to reducing the manifestation of irritation.
Effective pharmaceuticals
Among the numerous products produced by pharmaceutical industry enterprises are:
- Bepanten (plus) or D-Panthenol. Both drugs cope with various types of skin inflammation, including the consequences of insect bites. The drug is widely used in pediatrics and is approved for all ages.
- Fenistil-gel. The active substance (dimetindene maleate) has an antihistamine and antipruritic effect, relieves irritation and helps reduce swelling. Suitable for children over 1 month and adults.
- Psilo-balm contains the antihistamine component diphenhydramine hydrochloride. The balm is produced in the form of a gel, which cools and soothes itching, relieves redness and rashes. It is not recommended to use the drug for children under two years of age.
- Nezulin contains natural insect repellents. Cream-gel is used against mosquito bites to relieve irritation, reduce itching and swelling of the skin.
If you don’t have special gels and ointments on hand, any medicine cabinet will contain alcohol, iodine, brilliant green, potassium permanganate or alcoholic infusions of herbs (chamomile, calendula, etc.). These products will slightly reduce the itching from a mosquito bite and have a disinfecting effect, preventing infection from entering the wound.
If a severe allergic reaction develops, it is recommended to take the usual antihistamine (suprastin, diazolin, zodak, loratadine and others). In case of a strong local reaction, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, the help of a doctor will be required.
Cosmoceuticals
Ointments and gels that are not pharmaceutical products, but relieve itching after a mosquito bite, are sold in pharmacies and cosmetic departments of stores. The drugs are used if the reaction to bites is moderate. The following tools have proven themselves to be excellent:
- Gold Star (Vietnamese). A well-known product for solving skin problems is produced in the form of a cream or liquid. The product contains menthol and essential oils, which have an anti-inflammatory, cooling, antiseptic, and calming effect. The product is not suitable for everyone: its natural ingredients may cause an allergic reaction.
- Boro-plus is a universal cream used to solve a host of skin problems, including the consequences of mosquito bites.
Mosquito bites - how to treat
An itchy blister and redness are far from the most serious consequences of a mosquito bite. For some, it may result in complete hospitalization. For example, if culicidosis and insect allergies have developed. They can be prevented using antihistamines:
- "Fenistil"
in the form of a roller pencil or gel. This drug is suitable for newborns from 1 month. The drug is applied to the bite in a thin layer 2-3 times a day. It is quickly absorbed and begins to act almost immediately. - “Soventol”
in the form of an ointment. It acts instantly, blocking receptors that provoke allergies. If once is not enough, you need to apply the ointment again. Soventol should not be used by people intolerant to propylene glycol. - “Advantan”
in the form of a cream, ointment or emulsion. Relieves inflammation and allergies. Can be used in children from 4 months. - “Elidel”
cream. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Can be used for allergies such as dermatitis and eczema. Contraindicated for children under 3 months. - “Bepanten”
in the form of ointment, cream. Can be used in children from +0 years. - “Menovazin”
solution. - “Psilo-balm”
in the form of a gel. Suppresses the inflammatory response. Cannot be used by a child under 2 years of age. In terms of efficiency, it ranks 2nd after Fenistil. - “Gistan”, “Hydrocortisone”
in the form of hormonal ointments.
You can safely treat mosquito bites over a long period of time using the following herbal remedies:
- “Rescuer”
balm, which includes turpentine, various oils, calendula and beeswax). - “Nezulin”
which contains chamomile, celandine, licorice, oils and D-panthenol. - “Boro-Plus”
ointment, which includes ginger, aloe, licorice and turmeric.
To achieve a pronounced effect from gels, creams and ointments, you need to combine them with anti-allergy tablets.
Before applying the products to the skin, it is recommended to rinse the bite areas with running water and apply ice to them. But in order to remove bite marks, you can use drugs for chickenpox, which heal the skin well. For example, “PoxClean” hydrogel, a solution of fucorcin and rivanol, brilliant green.
If an insect has bitten an area of the eye and its mucous membranes have been damaged, it is recommended to drip “Albucid” or “Sodium Sulfacyl” drops into both eyes. From above, the affected area can be lubricated with tetracycline ointment intended for ophthalmic treatment.
Traditional medicine for mosquito bites
If you don’t have any of the described remedies at hand, traditional medicine recipes will help eliminate the discomfort after a mosquito bite. People have accumulated ample experience in relieving itching using common substances found in every home.
- Soda lotions. 1 tsp soda is diluted in a small amount of warm water, cotton wool is soaked in the solution and applied to the bite site for 10 minutes, then washed with water. The solution neutralizes mosquito venom, disinfects the wound and reduces itching.
- Apple cider vinegar is used to relieve inflammation and swelling after mosquito and midge bites. The product is applied to a cotton pad and applied to the affected area for half an hour, after which the area is washed with water.
- Essential oils of mint, rosemary, lemon, pine needles or tea tree will not only relieve inflammation and itching, but also repel annoying insects. They are used with caution to avoid getting burned. You should drip essential oils in trusted places so as not to purchase a fake.
- Sometimes sour cream or kefir helps, which is rubbed into the bite site, after which the itching subsides.
- Fresh lemon or lime helps relieve skin irritation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Basil contains camphor in its leaves, which cools and soothes irritated skin. This plant is a natural repellent. Bushes grown in pots will repel parasites all summer.
- Juice from plantain, bird cherry or parsley leaves, individually or in combination, can relieve discomfort after a mosquito bite.
- Mint tincture (1 tablespoon of dry or fresh herb, pour 100 ml of boiling water and leave until cool) is used as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and sedative.
- An unexpected remedy - toothpaste - will help cool the bite site and thus relieve the itching.
- Tea contains tannins, which have an antibacterial and astringent effect, so the product is used to eliminate the effects of insect bites.
The traditional and folk methods presented in the article to eliminate itching and inflammation from a mosquito bite will help to quickly solve the problem. And which of the proposed means to choose, everyone decides for themselves.
Folk remedies
Regular cold water or ice will help reduce redness and relieve itching. Cold milk or kefir can also relieve swelling.
Natural oils
Various types of essential oils can easily cope with the itching and beauty of the affected area. They not only prevent swelling, burning and itching, but also dry the wound, which promotes its rapid healing. The following natural oils are especially effective:
bergamot,- lavender,
- basilica,
- tea tree,
- coconut,
- carnations.
Before using essential oils, carefully read their composition. It is better not to use essential oil with a high acid content or dilute it with water.
Warm
Surprisingly, not only cold, but also heat helps against insect bites. If you have a lot of bites, a warm shower will help relieve the itching. Do not scrub the affected areas with a washcloth or a hard-lined towel. A slightly hot towel or cloth can be applied to single bites.
Acetic acid and apple cider vinegar
Using vinegar to relieve itching is a very effective method.
Malic acetic acid is best suited for these purposes. Soak the sponge in vinegar and apply to the itchy area. It is recommended to stick the cotton wool with a band-aid so that the vinegar comes into contact with the bite site for as long as possible. You can also use regular table vinegar to treat a mosquito bite. Vinegar paste is also made from it, to which corn flour is added. The paste is spread on the wound and kept there for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, the paste is washed off with running water and the itching goes away.
Sea and table salt
Our great-grandmothers knew this method.
Lubricate the bite area with sea or table salt. In a minute you will feel relief, and then the itching will completely disappear. If there are a lot of bites, it is better to take a bath with sea salt.
Potassium permangantsovka
Every home medicine cabinet definitely contains potassium permanganate. The problem area should be lubricated with potassium permanganate diluted in water and the itching will go away. Also for these purposes they use brilliant green and iodine, which are also always available in the house.
Basil oil
Basil oil is a universal remedy against mosquito bites. It not only washes away swelling and itching, but also repels bloodsuckers well.
Herbs and plants
If you need to prevent a mosquito bite from itching, you can use an extract of meadow, forest, indoor and garden plants and herbs. For example, plant leaves are applied to the problem area, and the juice is moistened into the wound or a decoction or tincture is prepared from it. The following plants cope especially well with mosquito bites:
calendula,- aloe,
- mint and lemon balm,
- onion,
- lemon,
- parsley,
- garlic,
- dandelion,
- plantain and celandine.
Soda
Mix two teaspoons of baking soda in a glass (150 - 200 ml) of warm water. Soak a cotton swab in the solution and apply lotions to the affected areas. Baking soda is great for treating itching, swelling and redness.
Honey
When a mosquito bites, honey can act as an antiseptic and also an anti-inflammatory agent. It relieves itching and pain, relieves swelling. Just apply a small drop of honey to the wound until it dries. You can use honey as many times as necessary. The main thing is that you are not allergic to this product.
Cereals
Grind the oatmeal in a blender or coffee grinder and cook it until a thick paste forms. Apply the paste to the affected area and rinse off with plain water after 15 minutes.
Recipes from the people
If a child or adult itches from mosquito bites, in order to alleviate the condition of the victim, you must use any of the folk methods presented below:
- Honey. Honey, available in almost every home, can reduce itching. It is enough to smear the bite site with it several times during the day and very soon there will be no trace left of the unpleasant sensations.
- Vinegar. Vinegar can relieve itching and redness caused by a mosquito bite. It is necessary to dilute it with water in equal proportions and apply a cotton pad soaked in the solution to the affected area. In case of a massive attack of insects, a bath with the addition of vinegar (2-3 glasses) will help. Soda solution can also be used.
- Lemon juice. You can also treat mosquito bites with lemon juice, known for its antibacterial properties. It is enough to drop a drop of juice on the affected area and the itching will quickly go away. However, this procedure cannot be carried out in the open rays of the sun. Skin contact with acid can cause severe burns.
- Toothpaste. If you have been bitten by mosquitoes, and you do not have the above-described remedies at hand, you can relieve the itching and burning sensation by using toothpaste. The mint-menthol components included in its composition have a cooling effect and will help stop the manifestation of puffiness.
- Basil. The bite site will not itch if you use basil. It is necessary to apply the juice of the plant to the wound and very soon the itching and redness will go away.
Each organism reacts to insect attack in its own way. For some, after mosquito bites, only red spots remain on the skin, while others experience an indescribable feeling of discomfort. Therefore, knowing the characteristics of your body, it is necessary to promptly treat the bite sites with the most suitable means to prevent negative consequences.
