Inflammation after a mosquito bite

introduction

Mosquito bites can be very uncomfortable. As a rule, mosquito bites in Germany do not cause any complications other than excruciating itching. They lead to redness and itchy swellings, which however subside after a few days. During the act of biting and sucking, the mosquito transfers certain proteins to humans through its saliva.It does this to prevent human blood from clotting. These proteins cause a minor allergic reaction in humans, causing the redness, swelling, and itching.

Read more on the topic: Superinfection

So-called wheals typically develop. These are button-like elevations on human skin that occur due to the release of histamine, for example in an allergic reaction. In addition, mosquito bites are more or less painful. That depends both on whether and how much the act of pricking injures sensitive pain fibers and how you yourself feel the pain subjectively. The itching can be relieved with antihistamines or by heating the puncture site. The heating leads to the destruction of the proteins and prevents the allergic reaction. In Germany there are actually no mosquitoes that transmit dangerous diseases. When traveling abroad, however, you should know that mosquitoes can transmit diseases.

Read more about this under

• Blood poisoning after an insect bite
• Inflammation after an insect bite
• How do you recognize an allergy to a mosquito bite?
• Lymphangitis after an insect bite

Mosquito bite in Germany

Mosquito bites are in Germany usually harmless. They occur more frequently in summer and lead to mild allergic reactions that are accompanied by itching and slight pain. Inflammatory reactions and allergic immune responses, however, vary greatly from person to person, and so can the effects of one Insect bite can be very different in people. As the local mosquitoes, however do not transmit diseases, these are kept within limits. Still, there are people who show a stronger allergic or inflammatory reaction. This can be very strong, for example itching, Circulatory problems or even diarrhea and express nausea. In this case, you should always consult a doctor who, if necessary, initiates treatment with cortisone or antihistamines. In the event of breathlessness, which is extremely rare, an emergency doctor should be consulted immediately. You should also see a doctor if you have very large swellings on your face or neck. As with all wounds, contamination can lead to inflammation. You should therefore refrain from scratching the mosquito bite until it is bloody. This gives germs the opportunity to penetrate the wound and cause inflammation of the skin.

What can you do about it?

Ointments containing antihistamines help against itching. They prevent an allergic reaction. Also can cold envelopes relieve the swelling. Since scratching a mosquito bite should be avoided. This gives pathogens only one portal of entry into the body and promotes inflammation. If the wound is already bloody and scratched, it is advisable to close it disinfect and a Put the plaster on. This is the best way to prevent inflammation.

Cortisone

If a mosquito bite has become infected, it is extremely itchy as well as pronounced redness around the puncture site and wheals (small skin swellings, caused by an allergic reaction to the mosquito proteins that have penetrated). A low-dose cortisone ointment can provide relief here. Cortisone has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces the body's allergic reaction to the mosquito bite and thus also the itching. Since the ointment is only applied locally to the skin, side effects of cortisone are not to be feared with this type of application.

However, one should be careful in places where the skin is very thin, such as in the eye or genital area. Since the cortisone is absorbed faster here due to the thinner layers of the skin, you should consult a doctor before use if you have symptoms in these areas and not treat yourself. The same applies to older people and children who also have thinner skin.

There is also the option of taking cortisone in tablet form for infected mosquito bites. This may be necessary, for example, if there are a particularly large number of inflamed stitches on the skin. However, especially if taken for a long time, side effects of cortisone such as a permanent increase in the cortisone level in the blood (Cushing's Syndrome) come.

Home remedies

There are a number of home remedies for infected mosquito bites, the use of which is recommended. To cool the affected area, you can put a conventional ice pack on top. Human spit or high percentage alcohol has a similar effect, both of which cause temporary cooling when evaporated. Cold quark also cools and also promotes swelling.

If the itching is severe, the leaves of the ribwort are used. This is placed on the puncture site and then fixed with a bandage or something similar. To additionally disinfect the puncture site, a sliced ​​onion can be placed on the skin for a few minutes. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect; the same applies to the application of honey.

Finally, there is another method in which heat is used to destroy the mosquito's exogenous proteins, which makes the itching go away. The most common use is with a spoon that is heated to over 40 ° C and then pressed on the puncture site for a few minutes. However, this must be done very carefully so that no skin burns occur.

Further information on the topic can be found here: Home remedies for mosquito bites

Mosquito bites abroad

As already said, mosquito bites do not cause any major complications in Germany. This is because the mosquitoes in this country do not transmit any pathogens. Especially travelers who are staying abroad for a long time should know about the native insects and the possible diseases that can be transmitted.

Prominent examples include malaria, which is mainly found in Africa, dengue fever, yellow fever and worm diseases such as filariasis. In principle, these pathogens tend to lead to inflammatory and immune reactions at the injection site. In the first place, however, they bring with them problems other than that. They usually lead to febrile illnesses that absolutely require therapy.

There is also a lesser-known virus in Europe called the Sindbis viruswhich is transmitted by mosquitoes. The spread is largely limited to Scandinavia and Russia. It triggers febrile illnesses, but these are accompanied by rashes and joint pain. In Germany too, the risk of infection is increasing due to climate change.

Read more on this topic at:

• Asian tiger mosquito
• You can recognize a bite from the Asian tiger mosquito by these symptoms

Inflammation of a mosquito bite in the child

Inflamed mosquito bites can be very uncomfortable for a child due to the often severe itching. Treatment can be done in different ways. First of all, you should try to prevent the child from scratching the affected area of ​​skin excessively, as there is a risk of infection with pathogens if the stitches are scratched. To relieve the itching, it helps to cool the puncture site, for example with a cold pack. This can also be done in the form of cooling gels or ointments, which should ideally be stored in the refrigerator before use.

If there is also severe redness, swelling or pain, ointments or gels can also be used, which work against the histamine causing the symptoms (Antihistamines). Low-dose cortisone ointment is also used in children who have infected mosquito bites. Due to the thinner child's skin compared to adults, the active ingredient cortisone can penetrate the tissue and bloodstream more quickly, which is why the use of ointments containing cortisone should only be considered if other agents are not sufficiently effective or cause multiple, severe symptoms Stitches exist.

Inflammation of a mosquito bite during pregnancy

Inflamed mosquito bites in pregnant women generally do not pose a threat to mother or child in Germany, as mosquitoes do not transmit dangerous diseases in this country. However, when treating the stings, one should note that no information is available for pregnant women on ointments or gels, and especially those that contain antihistamine agents, as no medical studies are carried out on pregnant women. It is therefore advisable to limit yourself to an infected mosquito bite during pregnancy to simply cool it with a cold pack or ice pack in order to counteract the annoying itching. The use of a so-called sting healer is also harmless, with which the exogenous proteins of the mosquito are broken down by heat and the itching decreases. In addition, tried and tested home remedies such as onions, quark compresses or ribwort can also be used.
An exception to the harmlessness of infected mosquito bites during pregnancy is a stay abroad. Depending on the travel destination, the mother-to-be should find out exactly about the mosquito-borne diseases there and the possible preventive measures.

Summary

All in all, mosquito bites are very harmless in Germany. At most, there are minor allergic reactions or slight inflammations at the injection site, which are accompanied by reddening and wheals. As part of these inflammatory and allergic reactions, itching occurs to a greater or lesser extent. Cooling and antihistamines can provide relief.

Read also under: Allergic reaction to a mosquito bite

Scratching a mosquito bite can lead to inflammation, as germs can then accumulate in the open wound. Bloody mosquito bites in particular should be disinfected locally and covered with a plaster.

Mosquitoes can be found on other continents and cause severe disease. Inflammation of the mosquito bite is of secondary importance here. These diseases are mostly febrile illnesses, such as malaria, and occur more frequently in warmer climates. Travelers who travel to Africa or Asia, for example, should find out all about the health risks beforehand.

In general, however, the following applies: Should an insect bite become infected or cause reactions such as shortness of breath or circulatory problems, this is a reason to consult a doctor immediately.

Further topics from this area

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An inflammation of mosquito bites can e.g. caused by infection. Above all, the scratching of stings is responsible for the penetration of pathogens.
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