What you need to know about Skeeter Syndrome

Written by Irene Lopez

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 28, 2022

• What Is Skeeter Syndrome?
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prevention Tips
• Conclusion
• More

It’s common for a mosquito bite to cause a slight reaction on your skin. This reaction can worsen over the next 24 hours, but it usually gets better from then on, often clearing up within a week. 

More rarely, though, you may experience a more severe reaction called skeeter syndrome. Here’s what you need to know about this condition. 

Skeeter syndrome is diagnosed when you have a strong reaction to a mosquito bite. You may see a large area of swelling, soreness, redness, and itching or pain at the location of the bite. Such a reaction can develop within hours of the bite, and it may last for weeks. 

You may notice some redness and puffiness within a few minutes of the bite, followed by a red-brown bump showing up over the next two days. The bump is usually hard and itchy. Sometimes, you may get small blisters or small dark spots that look like an injury. 

You need to be in contact with a mosquito for at least six seconds for this type of reaction to take place.  

Skeeter syndrome is caused by the body’s reaction to polypeptides found in a female mosquito’s saliva. Polypeptides are chains of molecules called amino acids.

A female mosquito needs to feed on blood to produce eggs. Mosquitos use a mouthpart called a proboscis to pierce your skin and suck up the blood. While they suck blood, they also inject a small amount of saliva into your body because the saliva contains a substance that stops the blood from clotting. Male mosquitos don’t bite humans. 

Skeeter syndrome is rare, but some people are more likely to get it than others.

• Babies and children, as they have lower immunity. 
• Adults bitten by a species of mosquito they’ve not come in contact with before. Polypeptides can differ from one mosquito species to the next. A person can have Skeeter syndrome from getting bitten by one species but have no reaction to a bite from another species.
• People who have an immune system disorder. That’s the system that protects your body from infections. 

If you’ve had several mosquito bites, you become less sensitive to the saliva, so severe types of reactions like Skeeter syndrome are not very common.  

A large area of swelling, soreness, and redness with pain or itchiness is common in a severe reaction. In addition, you may become feverish. Skeeter syndrome symptoms can also include hives, a type of skin rash. Your lymph nodes, parts of your immune system, may also get swollen. 

Your primary care physician or doctor can assess whether you have skeeter syndrome by looking at the affected area on your skin. There is no blood test to check for the syndrome, so your doctor will usually arrive at their diagnosis after finding out if a mosquito has bitten you.

Your doctor will want to know your symptoms and how long you’ve been having them before they suggest a treatment plan. They will also check your medical history and ask about medicines, vitamins, supplements, and any other form of treatments you’re taking currently.

Skeeter syndrome treatment usually involves oral antihistamines and topical steroid creams.

Oral antihistamines are a class of drugs used to treat the symptoms of allergies. They are taken through the mouth. Topical steroid creams are creams, lotions, or ointments containing steroids that help fight inflammation in the body. These are to be applied to your skin near the site of the infection. Sometimes, your doctor may ask you to take oral steroids.

Avoid scratching your bites as that can lead to an infection. 

There are several different things you can do to help prevent mosquito bites: 

Use insect repellants. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellants. As long as you follow the product label instructions, they should be safe and work well for pregnant and breastfeeding women. You will always want to follow the instructions, though, to ensure safe application.

An EPA registration can tell you that the repellent has had its effectiveness confirmed. It can be unclear how effective natural insect repellants or non-registered ones are.

Avoid using insect repellants containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years of age. Avoid applying insect repellent on your child’s hands, mouth, and eyes. You will also want to avoid applying it to any cuts or open infections that your child has.

Cover your body. Use long-sleeved tops and long pants to protect your body from bites. Thicker clothing can be harder for mosquitos to bite through.

Treat your wearables. Treat your clothes and even things like boots, mosquito nets, or the tents you’re sleeping in with a 0.5% solution of an insecticide called Permethrin. Permethrin can kill mosquitos on contact. You can also buy clothes that have been treated with Permethrin for when you’re traveling.

Avoid applying Permethrin directly on your skin.

Use mosquito nets and screen guards. Use mosquito nets in hotel rooms with no air conditioning or on occasions when you’re sleeping outside. Use protective screen guards for your doors and windows. Follow up with indoor pesticides if you’ve had mosquitos or use the services of a professional pest control professional.

Use air conditioning as much as possible when you’re indoors.

Manage areas that hold water. You may have water features or areas that hold water both inside and outside your home, like buckets, pools, flowerpots, birdbaths, or trash containers. Empty these containers once a week and clean and scrub them from the inside out.

Fill tree holes so they don’t get clogged with water. Also, repair cracks and holes in your septic tank if you have one. Cover open vents and plumbing pipes.

Clear out areas that are damp and humid like the inside of your closets, the space under your sinks, or your laundry room.

Skeeter syndrome is rare. Call your doctor if you suspect that you have skeeter syndrome or if your mosquito bite symptoms are getting worse. Follow best practices both indoors and outdoors to prevent mosquito bites and safeguard your health. 

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What you need to know about Skeeter Syndrome

Written by Irene Lopez

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 28, 2022

• What Is Skeeter Syndrome?
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prevention Tips
• Conclusion
• More

It’s common for a mosquito bite to cause a slight reaction on your skin. This reaction can worsen over the next 24 hours, but it usually gets better from then on, often clearing up within a week. 

More rarely, though, you may experience a more severe reaction called skeeter syndrome. Here’s what you need to know about this condition. 

Skeeter syndrome is diagnosed when you have a strong reaction to a mosquito bite. You may see a large area of swelling, soreness, redness, and itching or pain at the location of the bite. Such a reaction can develop within hours of the bite, and it may last for weeks. 

You may notice some redness and puffiness within a few minutes of the bite, followed by a red-brown bump showing up over the next two days. The bump is usually hard and itchy. Sometimes, you may get small blisters or small dark spots that look like an injury. 

You need to be in contact with a mosquito for at least six seconds for this type of reaction to take place.  

Skeeter syndrome is caused by the body’s reaction to polypeptides found in a female mosquito’s saliva. Polypeptides are chains of molecules called amino acids.

A female mosquito needs to feed on blood to produce eggs. Mosquitos use a mouthpart called a proboscis to pierce your skin and suck up the blood. While they suck blood, they also inject a small amount of saliva into your body because the saliva contains a substance that stops the blood from clotting. Male mosquitos don’t bite humans. 

Skeeter syndrome is rare, but some people are more likely to get it than others.

• Babies and children, as they have lower immunity. 
• Adults bitten by a species of mosquito they’ve not come in contact with before. Polypeptides can differ from one mosquito species to the next. A person can have Skeeter syndrome from getting bitten by one species but have no reaction to a bite from another species.
• People who have an immune system disorder. That’s the system that protects your body from infections. 

If you’ve had several mosquito bites, you become less sensitive to the saliva, so severe types of reactions like Skeeter syndrome are not very common.   

A large area of swelling, soreness, and redness with pain or itchiness is common in a severe reaction. In addition, you may become feverish. Skeeter syndrome symptoms can also include hives, a type of skin rash. Your lymph nodes, parts of your immune system, may also get swollen. 

Your primary care physician or doctor can assess whether you have skeeter syndrome by looking at the affected area on your skin. There is no blood test to check for the syndrome, so your doctor will usually arrive at their diagnosis after finding out if a mosquito has bitten you.

Your doctor will want to know your symptoms and how long you’ve been having them before they suggest a treatment plan. They will also check your medical history and ask about medicines, vitamins, supplements, and any other form of treatments you’re taking currently.

Skeeter syndrome treatment usually involves oral antihistamines and topical steroid creams.

Oral antihistamines are a class of drugs used to treat the symptoms of allergies. They are taken through the mouth. Topical steroid creams are creams, lotions, or ointments containing steroids that help fight inflammation in the body. These are to be applied to your skin near the site of the infection. Sometimes, your doctor may ask you to take oral steroids.

Avoid scratching your bites as that can lead to an infection. 

There are several different things you can do to help prevent mosquito bites: 

Use insect repellants. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellants. As long as you follow the product label instructions, they should be safe and work well for pregnant and breastfeeding women. You will always want to follow the instructions, though, to ensure safe application.

An EPA registration can tell you that the repellent has had its effectiveness confirmed. It can be unclear how effective natural insect repellants or non-registered ones are.

Avoid using insect repellants containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years of age. Avoid applying insect repellent on your child’s hands, mouth, and eyes. You will also want to avoid applying it to any cuts or open infections that your child has.

Cover your body. Use long-sleeved tops and long pants to protect your body from bites. Thicker clothing can be harder for mosquitos to bite through.

Treat your wearables. Treat your clothes and even things like boots, mosquito nets, or the tents you’re sleeping in with a 0.5% solution of an insecticide called Permethrin. Permethrin can kill mosquitos on contact. You can also buy clothes that have been treated with Permethrin for when you’re traveling.

Avoid applying Permethrin directly on your skin.

Use mosquito nets and screen guards. Use mosquito nets in hotel rooms with no air conditioning or on occasions when you’re sleeping outside. Use protective screen guards for your doors and windows. Follow up with indoor pesticides if you’ve had mosquitos or use the services of a professional pest control professional.

Use air conditioning as much as possible when you’re indoors.

Manage areas that hold water. You may have water features or areas that hold water both inside and outside your home, like buckets, pools, flowerpots, birdbaths, or trash containers. Empty these containers once a week and clean and scrub them from the inside out.

Fill tree holes so they don’t get clogged with water. Also, repair cracks and holes in your septic tank if you have one. Cover open vents and plumbing pipes.

Clear out areas that are damp and humid like the inside of your closets, the space under your sinks, or your laundry room.

Skeeter syndrome is rare. Call your doctor if you suspect that you have skeeter syndrome or if your mosquito bite symptoms are getting worse. Follow best practices both indoors and outdoors to prevent mosquito bites and safeguard your health. 

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Allergy to mosquito bites: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects. During the bite, they inject anticoagulants and other substances that provoke a local allergic reaction. Bloodsuckers can also lead to anaphylaxis (systemic allergy). Ordinary mosquitoes are not dangerous, but some species are capable of carrying diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and others.

Mosquitoes bite humans and animals to obtain nutrients for reproduction. This is how the insect maintains the life cycle: egg → larva → pupa → imago (adult). Only females bite. They need blood to form and lay eggs. Males are not able to bite, as they have an underdeveloped jaw apparatus.

Insects choose prey based on several criteria: sweat odor, body heat, carbon dioxide release by the lungs, skin flora, blood type. Mosquitoes can smell their prey at a distance of 50 meters. They are able to see already at a distance of 5-15 meters.

Contents

1. Mosquito bite on skin
2. Allergic reaction to insect sting
3. Complications of a mosquito bite
4. How to treat a mosquito bite allergy?
5. How to prevent mosquito bites?

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance

Mosquito bite on skin

An insect bite is carried out using a special oral apparatus, which consists of a proboscis, lower and upper jaws, tongue and other elements. The insect gnaws through the skin to the capillary layer, injects an anticoagulant, after which it begins to suck out blood. Having drunk, the insect pulls out its proboscis and flies away. After a few hours, a local inflammatory reaction occurs at the site of the bite. Due to the ingress of allergens, there is a site of hyperemia and swelling ranging in size from 2-3 mm to 10 mm. If a person has weak immunity to mosquito bites, a generalized allergic reaction may occur. People living in the taiga regions are more resistant to midges allergens. In the middle lane and in the south of Russia, a severe form of allergy to mosquito saliva is more common, since contact with an insect occurs much less frequently.

Allergic reaction to insect sting

When bitten by a mosquito, an allergy occurs, which is caused by insect saliva, as well as anticoagulant and other substances. Since these elements are foreign to the body, the following symptoms are noted:

• hyperemia is a spot of redness with a diameter of 2-3 mm to 10 mm (in some cases, the diameter of inflammation can increase to 3 cm or more).
• itching – the site of a mosquito bite is very itchy due to the presence of allergens;
• local edema – swelling is due to the accumulation of fluid and protective cells of the body (lymphocytes, mast cells), which are directed to fight foreign allergens.

These symptoms resolve in 2-3 days in most healthy people.

Complications of a mosquito bite

After a mosquito bite, familiar itching and spots appear

Complications from mosquito bites are more likely to occur in people to whom the allergen has not yet entered the body. After a mosquito bite, a very large spot (papule) of more than 3 cm may appear on the body. As the formation grows, symptoms of eczema appear. The skin in the place of redness is dense, swollen. Patients complain of severe itching and pain in the area of ​​inflammation.

With multiple bites, the erythema patches coalesce, forming a large focus of infiltration. The patient notes fever, headache. Some patients develop a rash all over their body from a single bite. People with atopic diseases may experience a systemic allergic reaction (even from 1 bite). It is manifested by Quincke’s edema, suffocation, shock. In such cases, a person needs emergency medical assistance.

In addition to allergic diseases, complications include mosquito-borne infections. Possible infectious pathologies:

• malaria;
• yellow fever;
• certain encephalitis;
• tularemia;
• West Nile virus.

To avoid getting these infections, mosquito bites should be avoided whenever possible.

How to treat a mosquito bite allergy?

Topical agents are used to relieve itching in single bites. How to anoint a mosquito bite:

• Psilo-Balm.
• Fenistil-gel.
• Rescuer cream.
• Lotion or balm “Asterisk”.
• Alcohol tincture of calendula.

For severe allergies, ointments with glucocorticosteroids are used. They should be prescribed by an allergist or dermatologist. With severe itching and inflammation, systemic antihistamines are indicated. More often use Suprastin, Tavegil, Loratadin. If these remedies are ineffective, you should come to an appointment with an allergist to select an allergy medication. If hyperthermia is present after the bite, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen is prescribed. They stop high fever and headache.

Attention! In case of a systemic allergic reaction (Quincke’s edema, generalized rash, suffocation), it is necessary to call an ambulance.

How to prevent mosquito bites?

Sprays to protect you from mosquitoes in nature

Start preventive measures with landscaping. All containers with stagnant water should be removed, artificial ponds and other stagnant reservoirs should be filled up. In fresh stagnant water, female mosquitoes lay their eggs. Mosquito nets are placed on windows and front doors. During sleep in regions where there are a lot of mosquitoes, fumigators (with tablets or liquid from bottles) Raptor or Fumitoks should be plugged into the outlet. For babies, the bed and stroller are covered with a mosquito net. Wear protective clothing when outdoors, in a park, or in a forest. On the street, it is recommended to use mosquito coils in the area where people are located (Raptor).

To prevent severe allergies, patients with atopic diseases are given specific immunotherapy in winter. It helps to sensitize (accustom) the body to allergens. If the measures are carried out correctly, Quincke’s edema and anaphylactic shock do not occur upon contact with an insect.

Repellents sold for insect control:

• Aerosols: Gardex Family, Komarek, 00Naturin, Mosquitall, Deta.
• Sprays: NADZOR, Gardex, ARGUS, Taiga.
• Creams: Picnic Baby, Taiga, Komaroff, Mosquitall, Moskill, Brownie, Tornado.
• Lotions: ARGUS, Forest, Help, Cinderella.

Komaroff aerosol against mosquitoes, ticks and midges, aerosol, 100 ml, 1 pc.

Khimik, Russia

Price

from 114₽

These agents are applied to the skin or clothing. Children and pregnant women are shown children’s preparations (Taiga, Picnic Baby, Deta and others).

Mosquitoes can cause allergic reactions and also carry diseases. To prevent bites, you should use protective equipment, mosquito nets, special clothing, and prevent the presence of standing water in the housing area. Such simple activities make life much easier during peak insect activity.

Sources

• TG Fedoskova // Peculiarities of allergy to non-stinging insects // Attending physician // 2002;
• O.B. Tamrazova, A.S. Stadnikova // Skin reactions to insect bites // Pediatrics // 2019.

The information is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice or treatment guidance on the part of uteka.ru.

How to relieve itching from a mosquito bite

Summer, of course, is a wonderful time, but even it has many disadvantages. Let’s put aside the unbearable heat – you can still hide from it, but what about the numerous blood-sucking insects? If no mosquito sprays have helped, and you come home with huge itchy blisters all over your body, immediately start following the steps below to relieve itching and speed up healing.

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At night, these insects can arrange real torture: either buzzing over the ear, or biting into those parts of the body that are not covered by a blanket …

By the way, did you know why mosquito bites itch in general? Be sure to read the answer to this question in our material.

Sometimes the itch from a mosquito bite is so strong that we literally want to make a hole in his place, if only he would stop itching like that. And this is quite real: if you constantly scratch mosquito bites, then an open wound can form in their place, into which infections can easily be introduced. To avoid this and save yourself from torment, heed the following tips.

Ice pack

Wrap one or two ice cubes in a kitchen towel and apply a cold compress to the bite for about 10 minutes or until the ice has melted. This will help reduce swelling, relieve redness and get rid of itching.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera Gel is an all-in-one remedy for everything from sunburn to mosquito bites! Spread aloe gel on the affected area and wait for it to dry completely – aloe will moisturize the skin, soothe it, relieve inflammation and reduce itching.

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Apple cider vinegar

Another natural remedy that can quickly relieve inflammation and relieve itching. Simply soak a cotton pad in vinegar and apply it to the bite site for a few seconds. Repeat the procedure until the bite stops itching.

Mint Toothpaste

Mint toothpaste contains menthol, which is what gives it a chill when it comes into contact with the skin. Apply a small amount of mint paste to previously washed skin and leave for about 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Honey

This natural product is famous for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Just anoint the bite site, and after a couple of minutes you will feel a clear relief from the itch.

Garlic

Another amazing product to help get rid of mosquito bites is garlic. Take a clove of garlic, cut it in half and apply it with the cut part directly to the bite. Hold like this for a couple of minutes. Garlic can help reduce inflammation, eliminate annoying itching, and even speed up healing thanks to its antibacterial ingredients!

Green tea

After drinking tea, do not rush to throw away the tea bag, there are many ways to reuse it.