Mosquito Bites
When a mosquito bites you, it injects saliva that contains anti-coagulants to stop your blood from clotting. The itchy, raised, red swelling (also known as a wheal or welt) that appears when a mosquito has finished its meal is caused by an allergic reaction to the injected saliva.
Mosquito bites can be extremely itchy, and the fear of being bitten can put a downer on spending warm summer evenings outside, whether you are at home or on holiday.
Mosquito Bite Facts
- There are effective ways to prevent – and treat – mosquito bites and make yourself less appealing to hungry mosquitoes
- The mosquito lifecycle has four stages: egg, pupa, larva and adult
- Only female mosquitoes drink blood, which they require for the development of their eggs
- A mosquito uses a proboscis to suck blood into its abdomen
- Some people have allergic reactions to mosquito bites
More Information About Mosquito Bites
How to Stop Mosquito Bites from Itching - Stop mosquito bites itching by applying soothing calamine lotion or using a mosquito bite zapper. Meat tenderiser and an ice pack may also be helpful.
Mosquito Bite Prevention - Tips for preventing mosquito bites include keeping your skin covered, avoiding standing water, wearing unscented toiletries and using air conditioning.
Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites - Find out how home remedies such as meat tenderiser, baking soda and lavender oil can help reduce the itching and swelling of mosquito bites.
How Do Mosquitoes Bite? - A mosquito bites you with a long proboscis, which is a hollow, syringe-like part of its mouth for piercing human or animal skin.
Facts About Mosquitoes - Mosquitoes are fragile, tiny winged insects about half an inch in length. The lifecycle of a mosquito includes four stages: egg, pupa, larva and adult.
