Why are mosquito bites so itchy? See if this question can stump Dr. Charlotte Grayson.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
“Hey doc, why are mosquito bites so itchy?”
Good try at stumping me, but I’ve got the answer.
When a mosquito bites you, and it’s only the females who do, she sucks out some of your blood and leaves something behind, her saliva.
Mosquito saliva contains a chemical that stops the blood from clotting – thinning it out so she can finish her lunch.
When your immune system comes upon the mosquito saliva, it sees it as a foreign invader and launches an attack.
A substance called histamine is released into your body, and that’s what causes the itchiness and swelling.
Anti-histamine creams can relieve the itch – but considering that in rare cases mosquitoes can pass along diseases like West Nile Virus, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
When you go outside – especially after dusk when mosquitoes are at their hungriest – make sure you protect yourself by using insect repellant and rolling down your sleeves.
That way, you won’t become a bug buffet.