The word “mosquito”, first and foremost, reminds us of the itching and swelling that occurs after bites. But we rarely think about what is happening while this insect is feeding on us and what is really biting us.
According to research, the reason is in the mosquito’s saliva.
We will explain what happens to you before, during, and after a mosquito bite. In the end, you will also find a bonus that will tell you how to fight our buzzing friends.
Mosquitoes Spit On Your Skin To Relieve Pain
As one study shows, a mosquito takes about 4 minutes to fill its stomach with blood. The problem is that during that time their victim might notice and kill it before the mission is complete.
Not to mention the fact that the bite itself is painful, which may mean the aggressor can be found even faster.
Mosquito saliva has an agent that numbs the skin. So after an insect spits on us, we don’t feel the sting. After that, our little friends start looking for blood vessels under the skin. They probe a number of times until they find something to eat.
Saliva Helps Them Suck Blood Easier
As soon as the vein is found, the mosquito releases saliva again. It contains more than 100 proteins that serve different purposes, one of which is to prevent blood clotting. This way it is easier to suck.
The point is after the vein is damaged, our body begins to heal it. This can prevent an insect from feeding on it.
But these cunning creatures have found a way around it. As the study says, mosquito saliva has an agent that disrupts this process and dilates blood vessels.
The Bites Itch Because We Are Allergic To Them
Blame it on the saliva again. A string contains non-toxic proteins that can cause itching, redness, and swelling, to varying degrees of severity. And there are people who are not allergic at all.
Your reactions to the first mosquito bites are the most serious, even more, serious than if you were constantly bitten for 2 to 20 consecutive years.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in calm waters, so they cannot breed in ice-covered places for most of the year. As a result, they don’t bite the people who live there frequently.
But if you’re moving from there to somewhere tropical, the first few bites can be difficult to handle.
Things We Can Do To Get Fewer Bites
According to research, mosquitoes are attracted to us because of our odor, which is produced by different microbes that live on our skin.
That is why washing your feet with bactericidal soap can prevent insects from biting you.
It is also important to use repellent. In addition to synthetics, you can use eucalyptus oil, which has been shown to be effective against mosquito bites.
Are you one of those who is usually bitten by mosquitoes or barely bitten? What do you do to protect yourself from mosquitoes?
