Mosquito Bite Allergy: Is It Really That

mosquito-bite-allergy-is-it-really-that

There is indeed a mosquito bite allergy – but it is extremely rare. We explain what symptoms can and do occur.

What is a mosquito bite allergy?

Although there are only a few cases, a mosquito bite allergy is actually a form of insect venom allergy. While people without allergy after a bitehave only small itchy wheals, an allergic reaction to mosquito bites can cause up to palm-sized inflammation. These must be treated with cortisone-containing ointments or antihistamines.

 

What happens with a mosquito bite?

When a mosquito bites its trunk into the skin, it sucks blood. The animals also give off some saliva, which in turn contains certain proteins (proteins). These ensure coagulation of the blood and dilate the vessels, which facilitates the blood sucking for the mosquito. However, this also activates our immune system: The so-called mast cells release the messenger histamine, which in turn causes inflammation and itching.

 

How common are allergic reactions to mosquitoes?

So far, there are no meaningful studies on how often a mosquito bite allergy actually occurs. In comparison with another insect venom allergy, eg. As in wasps or bees, are allergic reactions or even an allergic shock (“anaphylaxis”) after a mosquito bite but extremely rare.

This is confirmed by the allergologist Prof. Dr. med. Marcus Maurer talks to the European Center for Allergy Research Foundation ( ” ECARF .”): “We have a patient who has developed on the basis of mastocytosis and a mosquito bite allergy twice anaphylactic shock But this is the exception,it shows rather at large allergy centers. ” Mastocytosis is a rare disease in which there is an excess of mast cells in the tissue.

 

Insect bite allergy: What are the allergic symptoms of mosquito bites?

The allergy symptoms caused by mosquito bites are usually slightly different than in other allergies (eg hay fever ). These complaints can occur:

  • Inflammation and swelling of the skin
  • Circulation problems
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • Vomit
  • Shortness of breath (in severe cases)

Mosquito bite allergy: what helps with a stitch?

After a mosquito bite, the affected skin area should be disinfected to reduce the risk of infection. You should not scratch it – but the itching can be reduced by cooling packs and stitch healers. If the insect bites or other symptoms of possible allergy appear, the doctor should prescribe cortisone-containing ointments. In the long term, hyposensitization to insect venom allergy can also help.

 

Healthy thanks to mosquito repellent

It is best for a mosquito bite allergy, of course, if you do not even sting. Here, the right mosquito repellent helps: Through fly screens or mosquito nets, we can protect ourselves from all sorts of mosquito species. Who is out and about a lot and is often stung by mosquitoes and Co., should protect himself with a spray from the little pests.