Insect bites seem to be the universe’s way of slapping us on the wrist for our trivial wrongs. Didn’t hold the elevator for someone? Insect bite. Bad tipper? Three insect bites. It’s just maddening enough to teach you a lesson, but doesn’t come with any jail time.
Of course, mosquitoes don’t actually keep track of your white lies and minor traffic violations. But those incessantly itchy bumps sure feel like punishment. The reality is, they’re just a part of enjoying the great outdoors.
There may not be a surefire way to get rid of mosquito bites immediately or altogether, but there are a few trusty remedies that can help curb the annoying itchiness so you can get some sleep. To help you enjoy your time outside more, we asked dermatologists how these insects get under our skin, why it’s so damn itchy, and how to get rid of insect bites once they happen.
What exactly happens when an insect bites you?
A mosquito bite is always from a female; they need protein from your blood for the development of their eggs. (Male mosquitos exclusively feed on plants.) These ladies can sense carbon dioxide and skin odour and use it to track down a meal (i.e. you).
Once they’ve found you, they pierce your skin and blood vessels with their long, straw-like mouths. While feeding, “they inject saliva, which then triggers an inflammatory response,” says Dr. Sheila Farhang, a dermatologist based in Tucson, United States.
Why the inflammation? “Your body is producing an immune response,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Bank, who is based in Mount Kisco, New York. This means your body is trying to battle a foreign substance (the saliva). “Your immune system plays the largest role in what type of reaction you have,” Dr. Bank explains.
What are insect bite symptoms?
“The intensity of your response to the mosquito saliva varies from person to person,” says Dr. Farhang. “Most get redness, swelling, and itching around the site, and others have a bigger hive reaction — also known as welt or wheal — which is due to an allergic response.” You may also have more persistent swelling or itching if you’re in a new location (with new types of insects), have entered a new season, or haven’t been bitten in a while, she adds.
Of course, not all annoying bites are mosquito bites. Two of the most common summer bite pests are spiders and ticks. Spider bites can happen indoors and outdoors, though they have slightly differing symptoms. “Spider bite symptoms include localized pain, itching, redness, swelling, and warmth,” says Dr. Farhang. Venomous spider bites may cause additional symptoms such as muscle pain, cramping, sweating, headache, and ulcers — in which case a trip to urgent care is in order.
However, you should be able to spot the difference. “Spider bites are very rare,” adds Dr. Anar Mikailov, a board-certified dermatologist based in Burlington, Massachusetts. “Spider bites are typically singular, as opposed to mosquitos that are multiple. Spider bites, like mosquito bites, can be itchy, but mosquito bites are never painful.”
Tick bites can result in minor symptoms like swelling or soreness, but don’t usually itch. Often, they’re nothing to worry about, but should be monitored for signs of Lyme disease like a bullseye-shaped rash, fever, and fatigue. You may also come across fly bites and ant bites in the summer — but they are less common than mosquito bites and also are marked by pain or systemic symptoms instead of itch.
When should you see a doctor for a insect bite?
As a rule of thumb, anytime you are concerned that your skin is not healing properly (you’re not seeing it progressively improve in swelling and itchiness from day to day or it hasn’t gone away in a week), you should talk to a doctor, says Dr. Mikailov. If you notice open skin or ulcers, you’ll need a professional opinion. “Sometimes a simple insect bite can get infected if scratched too much,” adds Dr. Farhang.