For the vast majority, mosquito bites can be itchy and uncomfortable. If you are allergic, the bites could leave larger welts which are not only painful but also lasts for longer. It’s that time of the year when we find ourselves spending a lot of time outdoors and in the process, we expose ourselves to itchy mosquito bites. For the few who can resist that urge to claw the bites, the dots will fade and the itching will just disappear on its own. The bites will just be some kind of a little annoyance.
However, for those who may be unlucky to suffer from allergic reactions, their lives can be turned more miserable, and the pain, swelling, and discomfort may last for several days. Medically, these extreme allergic reactions are known as the skeeter syndrome.
Skeeter syndrome is rare and its symptoms may become visible hours after you have been bitten by mosquitoes and can include a swelling that covers quite an extensive area, redness, heat, and pain that resembles what happens whenever there is a serious infection.
How to tell if it’s a skeeter syndrome
When you get some serious swells that get big, you might be wondering if that is still the normal mosquito bite As soon as a mosquito bites you, symptoms may develop and may include heat, itching, redness, and swelling that covers an extended area. Here is how you can tell if you are suffering from skeeter syndrome or you have a mosquito bite.
1. Normal Mosquito Bites
These may trigger high-level swelling immediately after the bite and this could peak after just 20 minutes. This may be followed by itchy bumps that are not more than two centimeters long.
2. Skeeter Syndrome
With skeeter syndrome, there will be larger marks that last for longer, and the welts can be between two and 10 centimeters in diameter. The area of the bite will continue progressing, and if no care is taken, it could cover a bigger space in some days that are ahead.
According to the experts, these bumps can be itchy, painful, and red and are warm to the touch. With skeeter syndrome, the only way to be sure about it is to look at the area that has been bitten; otherwise, there is no specific blood test that can be done to determine if there are mosquito antibodies in your blood.
Protecting yourself against mosquito bites
Mosquito bites can cause discomfort and if you are not lucky, you may get malaria, dengue fever, and more. Fortunately, there is no shortage of mosquito control methods, and the best mosquito control techniques include using repellants, could, and nets. You can work with mosquito control, experts to determine which method best works for you. No matter your budget level, you can choose a method that suits your budget. But remember that you have to plan for how best you can protect yourself and your loved ones against mosquitoes because if you don’t, the consequences can be dire.