Risk Factors for Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites are the itchy bumps that appear after mosquitoes use their mouthparts to puncture your skin and feed on your blood. The bump usually clears up on its own in a few days. Occasionally a mosquito bite causes a large area of swelling, soreness and redness. This type of reaction, most common in children, is sometimes referred to as skeeter syndrome.
Body odor, heat, light, sweat, carbon dioxide and lactic acid attract female mosquitoes. Few factors make people more prone to mosquito bites.
Type of Complications due to Mosquito Bites.
Mosquitoes act as vectors (carriers) of several diseases including
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
- Yellow fever
More-severe reactions may be experienced by children, adults not previously exposed to the type of mosquito that bit them, and people with immune system disorders. In these people, mosquito bites sometimes trigger:
- A large area of swelling and redness
- Low-grade fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
Preventing Mosquito Bites. You can take several steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Getting rid of mosquito breeding areas.
Remove water (standing) in old tires, toys, buckets, rain gutters, plastic covers, flower pots, or any other container.