Am I Allergic to Mosquitoes? How to tell if a mosquito bite reaction is normal or an allergy.
Mosquito bites are the itchiest most annoying part of enjoying the outdoors in the summer. And in South Carolina, summer is fantastically long, so we have to spend much of the year avoiding the buggers or scratching the resulting bites.
Why do mosquito bites itch?
Most people get a small itchy red bump from mosquito bites. This is due to our bodies’ reaction against mosquito saliva – a foreign substance entering our bloodstream. The response (inflammation and itching) is caused by histamine, which is an immune system response. Histamine increases blood flow and white blood cells in the area of the bite which is why it swells.
However, some, unfortunately, suffer a much worse reaction to mosquito bites.
Skeeter Syndrome
Those who are allergic to mosquito bites suffer from what is known as “skeeter syndrome.”
Skeeter syndrome means you are allergic to a protein found in the saliva of mosquitoes. There is no blood test for the related antibodies. Diagnosing skeeter syndrome is based on the symptoms of a mosquito bite.
Skeeter Syndrome Symptoms
Some of the signs and symptoms of skeeter syndrome may include:
- Fever
- Major swelling around the mosquito bite
- Redness, heat, or pain around the bite.
Less common severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, throat or mouth, as well as anaphylaxis may occur and if, so you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you suspect you are allergic to mosquitoes, you may want to make an appointment with an allergist to confirm the allergy and receive a specific treatment.
For relief at home, you can try ice, elevation, oatmeal, antihistamines, or topical creams such as corticosteroids.
The best way to manage an allergy to mosquito bites is to avoid mosquitoes. You can do this by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors and using repellents containing DEET. You can also lower the number of mosquitoes on your property with our mosquito barrier treatment. We are proud to serve Spartanburg, Greenwood, Sumter, Florence, and more. Call today for a free quote to eliminate up to 90% of mosquitoes on your property.