Why does a mosquitos bite make you itch?
I recently have been getting alot of terrible mosquito bites and it made me wonder why a mosquito drawing your blood could turn into such a nasty itch!
Also, if you know of anything good to put on a bite, that would really help! Thanks!
2007-08-28 06:52:19 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Did you know that it's only female mosquitoes that bite you? They eat mostly nectar, but when it's time to make eggs and lay them, they need to eat protein (aka - your blood). When the mosquito stabs her needle-like mouthparts through the skin of her victim, she injects her saliva, teeming with digestive enzymes and anticoagulants to help her drink more quickly. Your body sees that as an enemy and produces histamine to ward off infection. That little pink bump left on your skin is an allergic reaction to the mosquito's saliva.
After you realize that you've been bitten, try with all your might NOT to scratch that annoying itch - it'll only make it itch and swell more. Wash the area with soap and water, then apply calamine lotion, cortisone, or any other anti-itch cream to the infected area. An ice pack may also help.
2007-08-28 07:01:16 · answer #1 · answered by teashy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Visible, irritating bites are due to an immune response from the binding of IgG and IgE antibodies to antigens in the mosquito's saliva. Some of the sensitizing antigens are common to all mosquito species, whereas others are specific to certain species. There are both immediate hypersensitivity reactions (Types I & III) and delayed hypersensitivity reactions (Type IV) to mosquito bites (see Clements, 2000).
There are several commercially available anti-itch medications. These are usually orally or topically applied antihistamines and, for more severe cases, corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and triamcinolone. Many home remedies are ineffective against itching, including calamine lotion, baking soda, and vinegar. Scratching and cooling are effective but bring relief for only a short time.
2007-08-28 06:59:01 · answer #2 · answered by MikeyG 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The saliva they inject is a blood thinner, makes it harder for the system to clot, allowing them to feed. The itch is a reaction of the body to a foreign substance as it tries to heal the wound. There are many things you can apply to the itch, from calamine lotion to newer itch stop products. Even real aloe (not commercially bought aloe VERA because it has soap in it) may help. If you've been getting a whole lot of bites, try using a repellent which contains 'Deet' before you go out. To deal with the itch, go check your local pharmacy for the best itch stop product. I'm not one for using lotions on wounds, but a mosquito bite, unless infected, is safe to do so on.
2007-08-28 07:01:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She injects a chemical to keep your blood from clotting while she indulges. The body reacts violently to that and that's why it itches. The best thing to put on it is ice. If you leave them alone for a half hour (resisting the urge to scratch) they will go away but that half hour can be hard!!
A friend swears that pouring Coke on his mosquito bites makes them stop itching but I'd rather drink it than pour it out.
2007-08-28 06:57:53 · answer #4 · answered by Jess 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they use their stinger like a drill and go in and get your blood and they inject you with a fluid of their own which makes you itch and you have become a blood donor to a new nest of mosquitoes.
2007-08-28 08:52:30 · answer #5 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mosquito secretes a chemical in to the blood stream and the body secretes histamine, to fight off the invading chemical. The histamine causes the itch. Benadryl liquid is good to put on any mosquito bite.
2007-08-28 06:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Nick 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's and allergic reaction that majority of the population has, if it keeps itching buying some anti-itch cream will help with the healing of it.
2007-08-28 06:55:12 · answer #7 · answered by Skullsoda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aloe vera gel,apple cider vinegar or vitamin E oil can
be effectively used on the affected skin. More cheap and natural remedies for itching at http://www.wellnesstalk.org/itching.html
2007-08-29 01:33:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not the blood they're taking that makes you itch. It's the stuff they put into the bite so it doesn't bleed after they're done.
most of us have an allergic reaction to the stuff they put in us.
2007-08-28 06:57:06 · answer #9 · answered by Music 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
bacteria in the mosquitos digestive system backs up into the wound when they suck your blood, you body goes into defence mode and begins swelling at the point of entry and a histamine reaction occurs causing it to itch.
2007-08-28 06:59:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋