Protect Your Skin: The Risks of Mosquito Bites and How to Relieve Itching and Swelling

Mosquitoes breed during spring and summer, and going out can easily become a “big meal” for mosquitoes. Some dermatologists said that human smell and carbon dioxide are the most likely to “cause mosquitoes”, and the smell of lactic acid produced after using perfume or exercising is even more coveted by mosquitoes. If the body is covered with “mosquito leprosy”, scratching it with hands due to unstoppable itching will cause a greater inflammatory reaction, not only redness and swelling, but even bacterial infection. It is recommended to use ice compresses to relieve the problem. If the problem is serious, you can take it when necessary Antihistamine medication or apply a topical steroid ointment to the affected area.

Lin Xuqiang, a specialist in dermatology, said that mosquitoes are only attracted by the smell of people and the carbon dioxide released. In addition to using perfume, people who have just finished exercising are also easy to “provoke mosquitoes”. “Because the human body produces lactic acid during exercise, After being excreted through sweat, it is easy to attract mosquito bites.” After a mosquito bite, the mosquito’s saliva will cause an allergic reaction in the body, releasing “histamine” to irritate the skin, causing redness, swelling and itching of the affected area.

The more you scratch, the more red and itchy

He said that the condition of the affected area of ​​mosquito bites varies from person to person. Generally, the redness and swelling of the affected area will gradually subside after 3 to 4 days, or about 7 days; but if the affected area is scratched due to itching, it will stimulate the body to release More histamine will trigger a greater inflammatory reaction, which will make the affected area more red, swollen and itchy; if the patient has skin problems, such as eczema, the affected area may become more red and swollen, and the skin will be damaged after scratching, which will increase the risk of bacterial infection. Under no circumstances should the affected area be scratched.

He suggested that ice or cold towels can be applied to the affected area to relieve swelling and itching, and at the same time cause blood vessels to constrict, reduce redness and inflammation, and take antihistamine drugs or apply topical steroid ointment to the affected area if necessary; Toothpaste, hot compresses, and even honey for relief, he said bluntly, have no scientific evidence.

In addition to mosquito bites, Lin Xuqiang pointed out that midges are more frequent in spring and summer. If you are bitten, you can also apply ice compresses to relieve the discomfort of the affected area. Seek medical attention.

Measures to prevent mosquito bites:

Rough, dull and yellow skin? The culinary instructor teaches how to cook “Dried Conch Dried Chicken Feet and Melon Soup” to protect the liver and nourish the skin. Check out the details: 【Next page】

Written by: Ou Wenhan

Editor in charge: Lin Zifeng