Before we get into the detail in knowing the answer to the question – how long do mosquito bites last, let us look in detail at mosquitoes first.
Nearly 700 million people get a mosquito-borne illness each year resulting in over one million deaths.
A mosquito is a family of tiny, midge-like flies called Culicidae. Some species are completely helpful to humanity or harmless, whereas some are a nuisance because they intake blood from living vertebrates, counting human beings. The female mosquito species are often blood-consuming pests. While feeding on human blood, they transmit tremendously dangerous livestock diseases like:
- Yellow Fever
- Filariasis
- Malaria
Mosquitoes have sensors designed for tracking their prey. This includes visual, heat and chemical sensors. Generally, both female and male mosquitoes feed on plant juices and nectar. However, there are varieties of species where the female’s mouthpart is adapted to pierce the animal skin as well as sucking its blood like ectoparasites.
In many different species, a female acquires nutrients from a blood meal before producing eggs, while in other species, a female can generate eggs after a blood meal. Both blood and plant materials are helpful resources of energy that are in sugar form. Blood helps in supplying concentrated nutrients like lipids, but a vital function of the blood is to acquire proteins since it enhances the function of egg production.
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What Are Mosquitoes Bites?
A Mosquito is designed to acquire its proteins in the form of liquid. When these little insects bites a victim with the help of a needle-like mouth-part, they usually inject the liquid holding anticoagulants and digestive enzymes to season their meal.
The protein present in the liquid is the main cause of allergy, itching and scratching when a mosquito bites. A female mosquito requires blood for laying eggs. When a female mosquito lands at the skin, it uses a special mouthpart for sucking blood. It uses saliva for helping to drink it. The mosquito’s saliva is something that causes itching.
So, why does a mosquito bite itch?
The first mosquito bite will never cause any reaction. However, it sensitizes a body to foreign proteins. The next little bites are worse since the body fights invading proteins. Young children and babies frequently experience swelling and more redness as they bite.
In many cases, when times go by and many mosquito bites occur, the immune system starts to be less sensitive. The mosquito bites cause less irritation. Few people even become desensitized that they get “immune” to itchy bites, whereas some build up greater sensitivity with each bite.
How Long Do Mosquito Bites Last?
In common, mosquito bites continue to itch for 3 or 4 days and disappear if your stop itching for long. Any sore pinkness or dark redness will last 3 or 4 days.
Also, the swelling may last 7 days maximum. Mosquito Bites on the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye.
What are its symptoms?
- After getting a mosquito bite, an individual typically acquires a bump at the skin.
- This bump is known as the “wheel”
- This bump is usually round, along with red or pink edges. The centre is white.
- This bump itches a lot.
- So, how long do mosquito bites last? Well, these mosquito bumps will heal within some time, but the part itches for a while.
How can a mosquito bite be treated?
- If the mosquito bites you, wash the part with the help of soap as well as warm water.
- Hydrocortisone cream possibly will help in stopping the itching. Other good quality anti-itch creams will be greatly helpful.
- Diphenhydramine (like Benadryl) might help to stop itching.
- Applying ice pack at the part may help.
- Keep yourself away from scratching the part.
How to prevent mosquito bites?
- Wearing the best mosquito repellent is the ideal way to prevent mosquito bites.
- Wearing a long sleeved pant as well as a shirt will help protect your skin.
- Stay away from using perfumes as the smell easily attracts mosquitoes.
