1. Definition
What is itching due to insect bites?
Mosquito bites, mites, fleas, and other insects often cause itchy red bumps when they come into contact with our skin. The size of the lump after being bitten by a mosquito is usually very small, but if a mosquito bites close to the eye, the lump is usually large and lasts up to two days. The characteristics of being bitten by mosquitoes are the appearance of itching and bumps at the point where the mosquito bites. Bites usually hit the surface of the skin that is not covered by clothing, and are more frequent during the heat or in infants.
Some mosquito bites in children can be sensitive and cause hard bumps that last for months. Unlike mosquitoes, fleas and mites cannot fly; therefore, they crawled under the clothes to bite. Flea bites can produce sores if children are bitten.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Insect bite marks or stings occur when poison or other insect-borne substances enter your skin. It is the immune system and a person's sensitivity to insect toxins that determine what kind of reaction they will experience. Most people don't have a serious reaction, even those who have a history of allergies or asthma. However, the risk of a more serious reaction can happen to anyone. Bees, wasps, stinging bees, and fire ants can all cause anaphylactic reactions. You must have been stung before if you had an anaphylactic reaction.
A mild reaction is usually an itching or stinging sensation, and a mild swelling and redness appears on the surface of the skin. Symptoms of a mild reaction usually go away within a day or two. The severity of your reaction depends on your sensitivity to insect venom and whether you have been stung or bitten more than once.
Rare, severe reactions are usually referred to as anaphylactic reactions and are most commonly caused by bees, wasps, and fire ants. Severe anaphylactic allergic reactions require immediate medical attention.
You should get medical help right away if the following symptoms occur:
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- Swelling of the face, difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, whooping cough, hoarseness, and possibly chest discomfort
- Weakness, dizziness, cold / clammy skin, fainting or unconsciousness
- Itching all over the body
2. How to handle
What should I do?
Apply it calamine lotion or baking soda paste on the bumps. If your itching is severe, apply 1 percent hydrocortisone cream without a prescription. Oral antihistamines usually do not work to reduce itching.
Another way to reduce itching is to apply a firm, direct pressure to the bite for 10 seconds. You can use your fingernail, pen cap, or other object to apply pressure to the bite mark.
Don't scratch the swelling as this will increase the itching. Do not also scrape the bite marks, because the bumps can become infected.
When should I see a doctor?
Contact your doctor if:
- Itching keeps you from sleeping
- The bite marks become infected as a result of scratching
- You feel there are conditions that need to be checked
3. Prevention
Bites caused by these insects can be prevented by applying mosquito repellent lotion on clothes or on uncovered skin before you or your child leave the house or when playing in mosquito-infested areas such as parks and forests. Mosquito repellent lotion can be used on babies (especially less than 1 year old), because they have not been able to ward off mosquitoes near them.
