What if a mosquito bites
Content
Starting from May and ending in September, all people are attacked by blood-sucking insects, which are capable of transforming any kind of outdoor recreation, or fishing, into a real nightmare, plagued by their buzz and thirst for blood. Single Mosquito bite usually does not present a problem for adults, but a flock of "bloodsuckers" can cause considerable damage to health, especially in children or those who are prone to allergic reactions. Treat the effects of mosquito bites in different ways, including folk and pharmaceutical means.
Insect description and species
Mosquito belongs to insects of the family Diptera, which has about 3 thousand species. On the territory of Russia you can meet more than 90 mosquito speciesAmong which are widespread: malarialspring mosquito-bell and the mosquito piskun. In normal adults, the body reaches a size of 4-14 mm and is colored in gray-brown tones, however, black, green and yellow insects are also found.
The diet of males and females is different. Males feed on plant sap and are harmless to humans, but females during the breeding season need a lot of protein, which they extract from the blood of mammals. Moreover, having drunk human blood, the “mosquito” lays its eggs almost immediately, and then dies. It is noteworthy that on mosquito lifespan In addition to environmental conditions, the floor of the insect is also affected.
Consider how a mosquito bite occurs. The female oral apparatus is piercing-sucking type: in the lower lip there are jaws that easily make a hole in the skin, giving saliva to wet. Its components are able to anesthetize nearby tissues and slow down blood clotting in the vessels. Then the mosquito with proboscis sucks blood through the hole. In males, the oral organs are less developed, as a result of which they are not able to bite through the skin of humans.
Interesting!
Scientists have long noticed that mosquitoes do not bite all people, choosing victims by a specific smell (sweat, perfume, etc.), as well as by blood type and health conditions. They prefer to bite children because of their delicate skin and fast metabolism, they choose adults with high cholesterol concentration near the skin surface or with a high content of certain types of acids in the body, with high sweating or with high body temperature.
Danger and harm from mosquito bites
Blood-sucking insects often bite not only humans, but also wild animals, which is why scientists have concluded that some of their species can be carriers of infection: malaria, fever, encephalitis, hepatitis C, can cause an allergic reaction and infect humans with worms. However, most of the species that transmit infections live only in the tropical climate of Africa, Asia, and do not live in Russia due to the colder air temperature.
According to research data, 70% of cases of influenza in the summer can be caused by mosquito (Japanese) encephalitis virus. It is transmitted through the saliva of an insect that previously drank blood from birds or animals. Due to the specific structure of the proboscis, which has a closing valve, infection is not transmitted through the blood when a mosquito bites. One “bloodsucker” is capable of attacking people 8-10 times per night.
On a note!
Many are afraid large mosquitoes with long legs and consider them malarial, but this is not quite true. Such insects are called centipedes for long legs (up to 6 cm), but for humans they are completely harmless, because feed only on plant nectar. But they are pests of agriculture, which is why a large-scale war is being waged against them.
The effects of mosquito bites on humans vary according to their health or age. Many do not notice them at all, and the wounds heal themselves within 2 days.But there are more susceptible people with negative symptoms:
- redness occurs in the bite zone and then blister appears up to 10 mm;
- swelling is accompanied by itching, burning, and lasts up to 2 days;
- occasionally an increase in body temperature within 2-3 days;
- soft tissue around the bitten place swells;
- sore feeling when touching the blisters;
- may cause dermatitis or allergic rash on the body.
The help of a doctor may be necessary in case of severe consequences of bites:
- the temperature rises to + 38º and more, at the same time there is a strong reddening of the skin, itching and heat;
- severe headache, chills and dizziness;
- suffocation, nausea or vomiting occurs;
- pressure decreases, seizures and loss of consciousness are possible.
Important!
The above symptoms are a sign of strong allergic reaction to mosquito bites and can be fatal.
Detailed instructions on what to do if a mosquito has bitten.
First aid after a person has been bitten by mosquitoes consists in the following actions:
- You can not touch the bite or comb it, which can cause infection.
- Thoroughly wash the wound with clean water, preferably with soap.
- Attach ice or cold compress.
- If there is a suspicion of a possible allergy, then it is necessary to take an antihistamine medicine: Loratadine, Diazolin, Cetrin, etc., to relieve the itch, drink Dimedrol.
- Treat the wound and surrounding tissues with a special cream or spray, which is sold in a pharmacy.
Which means to apply when a mosquito has bitten depends also on the affected area and the place of the bite. The most commonly attacked mosquitoes are the limbs of a person and the upper torso.
Treatment of bites in the head and eyes
The consequences can be especially unpleasant if the mosquito has bitten around the face, near the eye or eyelid: due to swelling of the surrounding tissues, the eyes can be almost completely closed and itch intolerable.
In such a situation, the use of strong ointments is contraindicated because of possible irritation of the mucous membrane, and it is necessary to be treated only with home remedies, as well as with ointments and preparations intended only for the eyes.
The following help should be given for eyelid or eye bites:
- First wash the eyes with water or soap.
- Make a lotion with soda: 3 tsp per 1 tbsp. l of water in the form of a slurry, which must be put on the eyelid before drying, then rinse with water.
- You can put cold compresses for 15 minutes every hour.
- Also help plants: a leaf of cabbage, plantain, dandelion, from which you should squeeze the juice, moisten them with a cotton pad and put on the eyelid.
- Take any antihistamine.
- Dribble the eye with Albucid.
- Creams and lotions can be applied, but very carefully, trying not to fall on the mucous membrane of the eyes.
Important!
Particular care should be taken when choosing means, if swollen eyes in a child after a mosquito bite. Since not all drugs are suitable for the treatment of children.
Folk remedies
In order to reduce itching and swelling in the area of mosquito bites, you can use the popular methods, tested more than once:
- To anoint the skin with toothpaste, preferably with menthol content, is the easiest and most effective way;
- put on the bitten place mush soda and warm water;
- after a mosquito bite, smear the wound with any alcohol tincture (Corvalol, Calendula, cologne) or liquid ammonia;
- apply vinegar solution;
- essential oils are suitable for treating a mosquito bite: lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree;
- onion, tomato juice or cut half of such vegetables;
- medicinal plants ground into mush: plantain, mint, parsley, etc.
How to treat mosquito bites with pharmaceuticals
For those who want to get rid of mosquito bites and blackflies with more effective medical products, it is recommended to choose a cream or balm. Such preparations contain herbal or medicinal ingredients that help relieve negative symptoms and heal quickly the blisters and wounds left by insects.
Most popular tools:
- based on medicinal plants and oils: Star, Vitaon, Psilo-Balsam, etc.
- antihistamine Fenistil gel ointment;
- anti-inflammatory creams: Sinaflan, Advantan and others;
- antihistamine tablets: Tavegil, Zyrtec, Claritin and others, which will help remove a small allergic reaction of the body.
Important!
If, after mosquito bites, there is a strong swelling of nearby tissues, the appearance of red spots throughout the body, difficulty in breathing, then you should definitely seek medical help because of the possible threat to human life.
Creams and balms - means that help treat mosquito bites:
- Nezulin - anti-allergic cream-gel, intended for the treatment of insect bites. Its active ingredients are chamomile, licorice, celandine and plantain extracts, essential oils (lavender, mint, basil), D-panthenol. It has anti-inflammatory and reparative effect on the skin, cools, relieves itching and irritation, redness. Price 115 rubles.
- Psilo-Balsam is a gel that, after treatment, relieves swelling after mosquito bites, itching, and has a calming and cooling effect. Contraindicated in children under 1 year. Price 180 rub.
- Fenistil-gel - possesses anti-olynergic and anti-allergenic properties, due to the content of dimetinden maleate, children can be smeared only after the age of 1 year. The price is about 350-400 rubles.
- Rescuer, Boro Plus - contain thermal water and beneficial trace elements that are necessary for healing wounds.
- Sinaflan - glucocorticosteroid cream, contains fluocinolone acetonide, it is recommended to be used for allergic dermatitis, pruritus, inflammatory and allergic skin diseases. Price 20-80 rubles.
- Advantan-cream - corticosteroid ointment or emulsion produced in Germany, contains methylprednisolone aceponate, the effect of which has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect, relieves swelling, itching and irritation on the skin. The price is 500-1200 rubles. depending on the packaging.
Homeopathic remedies
To avoid a negative reaction to mosquito bites and mosquitoes, many recommend using homeopathy treatment, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.
You can take such remedies in a few grains, which helps to alleviate unpleasant consequences even after strong insect bites:
- Ledum Palustre - contains a marsh ledum, which in small doses helps to cure the effects of wounds, injuries, bites or stings by insects (fleas, hornets, scorpions, etc.);
- Caladium seguinum - used to treat mosquito bites and midges, relieves severe itching and burning;
- Apis mellifika - prescribed for severe pain, burning, swelling, which are often symptoms of bites or stings of wasps, bees, mosquitoes, jellyfish;
- Belladonna - a highly effective drug that allows you to quickly remove the burning pain, fever, redness, caused by the multiple bites of mosquitoes;
- Hypericum - contains Hypericum extract, which helps heal tissue damage, neutralize the effects of bruises, bites or pinches;
- Briorus (EDAS-402) - contains belladonna, bryonium and ice, which will help to heal the wound and reduce the effects of insect bites.
Such a wide range of products that can help in the treatment of mosquito bites, allows you to choose the best option, alleviate the unpleasant symptoms and cure them quickly and effectively.