Mosquitoes and midges belong to the same order of Diptera, so they have a lot in common. Only females bite. When they fill with blood, they inject saliva into the wound. It contains proteins that prevent blood from clotting. They are foreign to the human body, so they cause an immune system reaction.
? In the Yod telegram channel, we tell you how to take care of your health based on evidence-based medicine.
Manifestations will depend on the activity of immunity . People who have never been bitten, such as infants, may not react at all , because their body has not yet encountered such proteins and does not know what to do in this situation. But in most bites, they swell a little, turn red and itch. Some people get severe allergic reactions.
Who is more likely to develop allergies to mosquito and midge bites?
Higher Risk :
- in children;
- adults visiting an area with a new species of insect for the first time;
- people with Epstein-Barrvirus- associated immune system diseases ;
- patients with mastocytosis, a rare disease in which mast cells containing allergy mediators accumulate in various organs and tissues.
Can an allergy to mosquito and midge bites be life threatening?
Yes. Sometimes anaphylaxis develops – a dangerous condition that threatens life. Fortunately, these are exceptional cases.
And yet, insect bites can lead to death: they carry pathogens of dangerous diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. But it has nothing to do with allergies.
Is it possible to know in advance if there is an allergy to mosquitoes and midges
No. Until now, the structure of only part of the saliva proteins of these insects is known , and diagnostic panels have been used only in studies.
Therefore, you can find out about allergies only when a strange reaction to the bite occurs: massive swelling and unbearable itching in the affected area.
How to understand that you are allergic to midge and mosquito bites
1 / 2
Normal reaction to bites. Photo: dimid_86 / Shutterstock
2 / 2
Allergy to mosquito or midge bites. Photo: Yavdat / Shutterstock
About the development of an allergic reaction they say:
- swelling and heat at the site of the bite;
- red blisters – urticaria;
- sometimes swollen lymph nodes.
In the worst case, anaphylaxis develops, which can be fatal.
Another variant of bite allergy is Skeeter’s syndrome. This rare inflammatory reaction includes :
- severe swelling of the bite site;
- fever in that area;
- temperature rise to 38 degrees for several days;
- severe itching;
- pain;
- sometimes vomiting.
Such symptoms can be mistaken for an infection that has developed due to the ingress of bacteria into scratched bites.
When to see a doctor urgently
Call an ambulance as soon as possible with signs of anaphylactic shock:
- difficult breathing;
- weakness up to loss of consciousness;
- disorientations;
- pallor and clammy sweat.
Contact your doctor if:
- a red spot or blister with a diameter of more than 10 centimeters appeared at the site of the bite;
- the wounds became inflamed: pus appeared, the temperature rose, the state of health worsened;
- bitten face near the eyes and mouth, swollen eyelid or lips;
- in the evening and the next day, the symptoms only intensify;
- you have persistent exhausting itching and a general deterioration in well-being.
What will doctors do
You may be prescribed steroids in pills, shots, or drips and taught what to do if you have a bad reaction another time. For example, they will advise you to wear an injector pen.
With the development of anaphylaxis, the doctor will provide anti-shock assistance: inject adrenaline or epinephrine, glucocorticosteroids and antihistamines.
How to cope with allergies to mosquito bites and midges on your own
Other than the situations listed above, bites are practically harmless. They pass at home even without treatment. To alleviate the condition:
- wash biteswith soap and water;
- elevate the affected part of the body and apply ice to it to reduce swelling;
- spot-on a calamine or zinc mash;
- if necessary, use a cream based on steroids (mometasone or others) or drink antihistamines, such as those based on chloropyramine or cetirizine.
How to prevent allergies to mosquitoes and midges
Avoiding bites is almost impossible, but you can try to reduce their likelihood.
- Try to be less in nature in the evenings and at night.
- Avoid shady and damp places, ponds with stagnant water.
- Do not wear bright clothes and do not use perfume if you are going outdoors – this attracts insects.
- Use repellents with DEET (diethyltoluamide). They will provide protection for several hours. But they can also cause a reaction, so before the first use, try applying the productto a small area of \u200b\u200bthe skin and observe.