Human Saliva and Mosquito Bites--Fact or Fiction?

Question

I once heard that if you apply saliva or salt water to a mosquito bite, it will help draw out the itch. Is that true and, if so, why?

Answer 1

An itch caused by an insect bite or an allergy whatever, is actually an inflammatory response of the body to an "allergen". The site of reaction swells up because certain cells in the blood of the person getting the bite, comes over to that site and secretes a few fluids and granules of allergic response called "histamines" and "kinins". They cause local swelling and irritation of the nerves near by, which is the cause for the itch. If you apply a "hypertonic" solution( which means a high concentration solution like that made of salt water) to the site of inflammation, the water from the swelling (oedema) gets absorbed into the concentrated solution and the swelling reduces in size. The itch may also disappear. But saliva being a comparatively dilute solution, is incapable of this osmotic action of salt water. So salt water may take away the itch, but saliva usually doesnt.

Answer 2

Andy Lum
It s absolutely true in my case. By applying saliva (5-6 times) to an insect bite, the itch would usually disappear and the swelling will likely disappear after 10-15 minutes. My son (who s a pharmacist) doesn t believe it and my wife just shakes her head in disgust even though she had witnessed those "miracles". My saliva, however, only works on my own bites. I can t explain the rationale; I just know it works for me.

Answer 3

Not heard of that but, salt water (saline) is a natural part of the human make up so it is possible. Clear nail polish works too.

Answer 4

I doubt it. Mosquitos are attracted to blood, not characteristics of a certain person.

Answer 5

I have heard that before too

Answer 6

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiySjWGAJOsMG4aWEx9uxWDsy6IX?qid=20061116085135AAUlMFd

PLEASE