Mosquito and tiger mosquito bites and remedies

Mosquitoes belong to the phylum Arthropods, the Insect class, the Diptera order, and the Culicidae family. There are about 2,700 species of mosquitoes across the world, each of which is two-winged (diptera) and capable of traveling up to 3 km per hour.

Tiger mosquitoes

Tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are native to southeast Asia, but they were first traced in Italy in the year 2000 and have since spread rapidly across many European regions. Tiger mosquitoes can be easily recognized, as they are smaller and darker than mosquitoes native to Italy, and have characteristic white stripes on their legs and back. Tiger mosquitoes have different habits to other mosquitoes, in that they will attack even during the day, in full sunlight, and will do so in swarms. The liquid they inject into the skin is particularly toxic and can cause skin reactions (e.g. welts) to form that are very itchy and/or painful.
Tiger mosquitoes are hardy: they can survive subzero temperatures of winter, aren’t particularly affected by mosquito repellants, and can sting through clothing.

Transmissible diseases

Some species of mosquito can transmit diseases including malaria, yellow fever, West Nile fever, and the Zika virus. With malaria no longer being a threat in Italy and most of Europe, mosquito bites are usually just an annoyance, but are not considered dangerous. However, with the arrival of new species such as the tiger mosquito, the question on the danger that mosquito bites may pose is back in the spotlight.

The life cycle of the mosquito

Female mosquitoes must suck blood from humans or animals in order to obtain the protein needed to mature eggs. From here, females deposit anywhere between 40 to 400 eggs on the surface of stagnant water, such as that found in ponds, marshes, pools, or even plant pots. Within a week, the eggs hatch and larvae form, which live under the surface of the water and then turn into pupae which eventually become the adult insect. Adult mosquitoes live for around two weeks.

How mosquitoes attack

Mosquitoes are small but highly evolved insects. They have heat and scent receptors so that they can target their victim with extreme accuracy, even in the dark. Through evolution, mosquitoes have learned to stalk humans by following not only their scent, but also the common smells and light associated with humans, from cooking aromas to lightbulbs, respectively.

Mosquito bites:
the consequences

While a major nuisance, mosquito bites are rarely dangerous. Immediately following the bite, a raised bump will appear, accompanied by itching and swelling that will last for around 20 to 30 minutes. In some individuals, and often in children, reactions can be more extreme and the bite can cause intense swelling that lasts for a few days, before turning into an itchy, red nodule that can last for a few weeks.

Problems associated with mosquito bites

There can be many associated issues following a mosquito bite, of which there are too many to mention here. For example, one consequence is the increased risk of skin infections (impetigo) due to scratching. Itching may also cause restlessness at night, which can contribute to significant tiredness the following day. Consequences can be considerably more serious in children, the elderly and the sick, so it is important to understand how to correctly prevent and treat mosquito bites.

DIY remedies

If preventative steps have failed to stop an individual being bitten, it is important to not cause any further damage and to soothe the skin. In an attempt at the latter, many people resort to DIY remedies such as the application of ammonia or lemon juice onto the bite. However, both are bad ideas: the former often burns the skin, while the latter increases skin photosensitivity and, therefore, the risk of getting burnt.

Pharmaceutical products

In addition to DIY remedies, pharmaceutical creams are also not the right treatment route. Creams containing cortisone only begin to take effect after around thirty minutes, when the worst of the itching will have finished. Antihistamine cream, meanwhile, is photosensitizing which increases the risk of skin burning.

DermaClub recommends… treating mosquito bites

Immediately after a mosquito bite, apply Astringent Gel with 5% aluminum chloride. Astringent Gel is a potent astringent which will relieve itching until the sensation completely disappears. As an antiseptic, it also reduces the risk of skin infections as a result of scratching. One application of Astringent Gel is usually enough to reduce symptoms, but in particularly reactive cases, more can be applied if necessary. Astringent Gel will also ensure individuals with mosquito bite hyperreactivity will not develop inflammatory reactions.