Mosquito bites are not a serious condition, in most of the cases. However, the condition leads to complication if the site of a bite is rigorously scratched leading to the exposure of deep tissues.
Are Mosquito Bites Dangerous?
Generally, the mosquito bites are not dangerous, and the condition does not require any specialized treatment. In many cases, no treatment is required at all, while some cases of mosquito bites require aggressive treatment. It has been seen that more the number of times, a person gets bitten by the mosquito, less likely there are chances of serious reactions. This implies that children are more sensitive to mosquito bites as compared to adults. In people with severe allergic reactions, if the mosquito bite is not treated within the specified period, the symptoms become more severe and cause a lot of complications. The complications are even more severe in patients with a compromised immune system. Some complications are as follows:
Fluid-Filled Blisters. If the mosquito bite is not treated properly or proper care is not done, the initial red and swollen bumps may lead to fluid-filled blisters and the chances of infection significantly increase.
Swelling. Different people have a different degree of response from a mosquito bite. Some people have swelling only at the site of bite while swelling in other people covers a larger area. The hypersensitive patient develops swelling and inflammation in a larger area.
Impetigo. Impetigo is a complication that may be caused due to rigorous scratching of the skin after the mosquito bite. The condition affects mainly children and infants and is characterized by the red sores on the face that on bursting leads to honey-colored crusts.
Lymphangitis. Mosquito bites and the reactive scratching of bumps, may sometimes lead to the exposure of the inner lymphatic vessels leading to their inflammation. This inflammation of lymphatic vessels is known as lymphangitis. Lymphangitis may also lead to bacteremia.
Cellulitis. Cellulitis is another potential infection that can be caused due to an untreated mosquito bite. Cellulitis is the serious skin infection and is caused when the mosquito that has bitten is infected from bacteria. The symptoms include swelling and inflammation deep down the skin.
Sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which is characterized by the presence of infection in the blood. It may be caused due to a mosquito bite if the mosquito is infected with any bacteria, virus or fungi. Further, the mosquito bite should be monitored in immunocompromized patients as they are significantly at higher risk of developing sepsis from a mosquito bite.
Transmission Of Serious Diseases. Although the mosquito bite is not serious in normal conditions, in some cases they act as a carrier for various serious diseases. The disease, which the mosquito is capable of transmitting, includes Zika virus, meningitis, malaria, dengue fever, and encephalitis. These diseases, if not provided immediate medical intervention, may lead to fatal consequences.
Skeeter Syndrome. Different people have a different immunological response to mosquito bites. The characteristic symptoms of the mosquito bites are combined to cause Skeeter syndrome. Thus, the Skeeter syndrome is characterized by swelling, pain, inflammation, redness, and itching at the site of the bite. This reaction is severe in hypersensitive patients.
Mosquito Bites
Mosquito, specifically the female mosquito, feeds on the blood. For this, she has to puncture the skin to get access to the blood vessels. This puncture of skin leads to the development of immunological reactions. Another cause of the immunological reaction is the chemical secreted by the mosquito to prevent the clotting of blood while feeding. The immune system causes redness and swelling at the site of a bite. The patient also feels bumps. In most of the cases, no treatment is required, and the symptoms subside on their own.
Conclusion
Untreated and pathogen-lead mosquito bites lead to various dangers. This complication includes Skeeter syndrome, transmission of serious diseases, cellulitis, lymphangitis, and impetigo.
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