Does a mosquito bite make you itch? Here are the remedies and how to protect yourself (Mosquito Bite)

You're probably used to this. In the evening, you're enjoying a little peace and quiet in the yard. Or you're watching TV with your family in the living room. Suddenly, you hear a "ming... ming..." sound in your ear, and you feel like your leg or arm is being bitten. And that's it. A mosquito has sucked some of your blood and given you a little "gift". That's the unbearable itching, and the area turns red and swollen.

For most people, this red, swollen area will go away in a few hours. But for some, especially those with sensitive skin, it can last for days. That little spot, perhaps as big as a five-rupee coin, can become a very itchy sore. So, why does this happen? What can you do about it? Let's talk about this in detail.

Why does a mosquito itch so much when it bites?

Simply put, it's because of the mosquito's saliva. Yes, you heard that right. When a mosquito bites your skin and sucks your blood, it injects a small chemical into your body from its saliva that stops the blood from clotting. Our body's immune system sees this foreign substance as an enemy.

So, to fight this enemy, our body cells release a chemical called `(Histamine)` . This `(Histamine)` is the main cause of that itching, redness, and swelling. That means, this itching is actually your body's defense response against an invader.

What can you do to reduce itching?

No matter how hard it is, the first and most important thing to do is not to chew it.

So, try these things to control itching and avoid infections :

• Wash thoroughly with soap and water: The first thing to do is to wash the area where the mosquito bit you with some soap and clean water. This will remove the mosquito's saliva and reduce the risk of germs entering.
• Apply an ice pack: Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and place them on the bite site for about 10-15 minutes. The cold will constrict the blood vessels in the area, reducing swelling and itching to a great extent. If you don't have ice, you can also apply a cloth soaked in cold water.
• Apply some calamine lotion : This is something we always have in our homes. Applying some calamine lotion cools the skin and reduces itching a lot.
• Antihistamine: If the itching is severe, your doctor may recommend an antihistamine. These work by blocking the action of the histamines we talked about earlier. However, never give these medications to young children without first consulting a doctor.

But, be careful about these symptoms!

Usually, biting a mosquito does not cause any major problems. However, sometimes, especially in our country where diseases like dengue are common, we need to be very careful about some of the symptoms that occur after being bitten by a mosquito.

If you or someone in your family develops any of the following symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, see a doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

How do you stay safe from mosquitoes?

The best thing to do is to avoid mosquitoes, and there are many things we can do to prevent this.

Personal safety

• Stay indoors at the right time: Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and evening, around sunrise and sunset. Try to stay indoors as much as possible during these times. It's also a good idea to keep windows and doors closed.
• Wear clothing that covers your body: If you're going outside, wear long pants and long sleeves. Light-colored clothing is also said to be less attractive to mosquitoes.
• Use bug spray: There are many types of bug spray that can be applied to the skin. Products containing DEET or Picaridin have been shown to be most effective. These can also be sprayed on clothing.
• Use mosquito nets: Using a mosquito net while sleeping at night is the best protection you can take. This is especially important for young children.

Let's keep our environment clean!

This is the most important thing. It is our responsibility to stop the spread of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in places where there is clean water. So we need to eliminate such places.

• Check your surroundings at least once a week: Remove anything that can hold water. Don't let water collect in things like flower pots, discarded cans, yogurt cups, coconut shells, old tires, water tank lids, and birdbaths.
• Clean the gutters: Leaf debris can get stuck in the gutters and cause water to pool. These are a breeding ground for mosquitoes. So clean the gutters regularly.
• Look in hidden places: Look for things like plastic containers and cups that can hold water in hidden places, such as under bushes and under houses.

These are useless to mosquitoes!

There are some myths in society about how to avoid mosquitoes. It's good to be aware of these as well.

• Vitamin B tablets: The claim that taking vitamin B will keep mosquitoes away is a complete lie. There is no scientific basis for it.
• Ultrasonic devices: Tests have shown that devices that claim to repel mosquitoes by emitting high-frequency sounds are also ineffective.

Therefore, it is wise to follow only proven methods.