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 saliva 1 2 . 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 swell 2 . Scratching a mosquito bite can make it even more inflamed and irritated, and can even cause an infection 3 . It's best to avoid scratching and instead use treatments to relieve the itchiness. 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 d...
Strategic analysis on geopolitics, financial systems, and Pakistani affairs, blended with personal stories and commentary from Karachi. Written by Munaeem Jamal.