Female mosquitoes feed on human blood to produce eggs as the proteins extracted from human blood are used in egg production. Male mosquitoes do not feed on human blood, they survive on the plant nectars and other sweet substances extracted from them. When mosquitoes bite human beings, they cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. They carry the parasites of different mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, encephalitis, or yellow fever. Their bites on the skin cause redness, itching, swelling and itching on scratching.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch More At Night?
Different species of mosquitoes have different cycles of their feeding in day or night, activity and resting. Some species are active in the daylight, particularly in the afternoon. Their bites are often not noticeable. But those mosquitoes that are active in the night (nocturnal blood seekers) are at more benefit than those active in the daytime.
Mosquito bites are itchier at night. The main reason is that most mosquitoes feed on humans more at night because of the high concentration of carbon dioxide released in the air at night. They attach their mouth best in the night. It is more favorable for them to feed on humans at night because humans are sleepy and drowsy at night and reflexes of humans are down at night.
Moreover, most mosquitoes are more active at night. They are mostly nocturnal blood seekers. At night, mosquitoes are safe from being exposed to predators. They have a favorable atmosphere to feed as they have better access to scents of lactic acids and carbon dioxide. The temperature at night is warm that is favorable to provide metabolic energy to digest their meal.
Itching caused by the mosquitoes is higher at night because our body is at rest and mind is active that focuses more on itching. In the daytime, we are more active physically. Moreover, the frequency of mosquito bites is more at night to favorable conditions for mosquitoes.
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.
Mosquito bites cause itchy allergic reactions on the skin. It is represented by a red bump on the skin that can be painful. These bumps are swollen and irritating. There is also a burning sensation in that area. The skin contains nerves and blood vessels that are broken during mosquito bites. Some people show more reactions towards these mosquito bites that may show severe reactions in some cases. This may need immediate medical attention.
The mouth of mosquito is similar to straw named as a proboscis. It is sharp and poisonous part of the insect. When proboscis pierces the skin, it breaks the blood vessels and nerves located in the epidermis of the skin. It releases a liquid into the skin that acts as an anticoagulant. This liquid prevents the clotting of blood and its leakage in the wound created by mosquito bite. This helps the mosquito suck more blood from this wound. The breaking of the blood vessels and nerves cause irritation in the skin causing itching and burning sensation in this area. These symptoms usually settle on their own in 24 hours. In some people, mosquito bites are more contagious and cause more allergic reactions on the skin that may leave permanent dark marks on the skin.
Conclusion
Mosquito bites disturb the integrity of the skin. They cause itching, burning, pain and swelling at the site of mosquito bite. They cause more itching at night. This is because mosquito gets more favorable at night such as high carbon dioxide, lack of predators, odors of lactic acids and others discussed above.
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