Mosquitoes rely on human blood for their food. They utilize proteins found in human blood to produce eggs. They feed through their mouth usually at night. They are the vectors of certain diseases like malaria, dengue, etc. They transmit the parasites of these diseases. Mosquito bites have symptoms like itching, swelling, redness or bleeding on scratching. These symptoms disappear in one or two days by itself. In some sensitive people, mosquito bites may cause allergic reactions.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Get Hard?
In some cases, the mosquito bites may cause a condition named skeeter syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by more extreme allergic reactions to a mosquito bite. The bitten area get swell up excessively like hives and become red hot and hard on touch. This area may form blister that may ooze out. However, any person can develop this syndrome. It is more common in young children, people who have low immunity or who have immunity related disorders or travelers to new places.
In rare cases, anaphylaxis develops after mosquito bites that can become fatal. This causes a severe form of allergic reaction in the body. Its symptoms include hives, swelling in the lips and tongue, breathing problems, wheezing and coughing. In rarest of cases, it may cause death. It is treated with epinephrine injections and other emergency measures.
Mosquitoes are dependent on human blood for reproduction. Male mosquitoes do not feed on human as their requirements are fulfilled by plant nectars or other sweets present in the plants. Female mosquitoes bite and feed human blood. They use blood proteins for egg production. Mosquitoes are carriers of parasites of diseases like dengue, malaria, encephalitis, or yellow fever. These diseases are called mosquito-borne diseases.
Female mosquitoes only bite and feed on human blood. They utilize the proteins found in human blood to produce eggs. They feed through their straw-like mouth that pierces the skin and releases anticoagulant liquid. This liquid delays the coagulation of blood making it more favorable for the mosquitoes to drink more blood from the blood vessels found underneath the skin. Male mosquitoes do not bite or feed on humans as it gets their food from plant nectars and other sweet materials formed by plants.
Mosquito bites are quite common. Many people show no reaction to these bites. These lucky people are not at all allergic or sensitive to the saliva of mosquito bites. The reason is that these people develop immunity against these bites. They might have exposed to mosquito bites and its allergen so many times that these bites are no longer recognized by one’s immunity system leading to no reaction at all.
In some people, mosquito bites causes an appearance of round, whitish bumps on the skin which have a visible dot in the center. This turns red and firm bumps in one to two days. This is a common reaction that develops on the skin after mosquito bites. This is a minor allergic reaction towards the proteins present in the saliva of mosquitoes.
Some people are sensitive to mosquito bites. They react vigorously towards the proteins released by the mosquito when they bite the skin. Their sensitivity leads to the formation of large welts instead of small bumps. This reaction is also higher when the feeding time of the mosquito is more. When this duration of feeding is increased, the proteins of mosquitoes are released more. The probable reason for such reactions can be genetic makeup of a person or tour to the places where these people are exposed to new types of mosquitoes.
Conclusion
Mosquito bites are represented by small red bumps on the skin that may cause itching, burning, and swelling. Usually, these bumps are slightly firm and disappear in one or 2 days. In some people, these bites may show serious allergic reactions that become hard and firm as discussed above.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mosquito-Borne Diseases https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/about.html
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