Mosquito bites can be itchy and uncomfortable. Here are some interesting facts about why mosquito bites itch:
- Mosquito bites itch because of an allergic reaction to mosquito saliva1. When a mosquito bites you, it secretes saliva into your bloodstream. Your immune system then sends the chemical histamine to the area where the mosquito bit you to remove the allergen from your body. Histamine is what causes your mosquito bites to itch and swell2.2
- Scratching a mosquito bite can make it even more inflamed and irritated, and can even cause an infection. It's best to avoid scratching and instead use treatments to relieve the itchiness.3
- Mosquito saliva is harmless, but it can carry dangerous diseases, such as West Nile virus and malaria.1
- Most people have a mosquito bite allergy.2
- Mosquitoes bite to get the protein found in blood to nourish their developing eggs. Only female mosquitoes bite, and they use several different cues to locate a host, including carbon dioxide, heat, and body odor.4
- Some factors can make some people more attractive to mosquitoes than others, such as wearing dark-colored clothing, wearing perfume, and having a higher body temperature.2
- Histamine also sends a signal to the nerves, which causes the skin to become even more inflamed and irritated.4
- Adults consistently exposed to the same types of mosquitoes can develop somewhat of a resistance to the protein, leading to fewer or no reactions to mosquito bites.4
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