How do mosquitoes bite? How do mosquitoes find you, and what should you do if you’ve been bitten? Here’s what Tucson homeowners should know about identifying a mosquito bite on your skin, what you can do to keep these bites from itching, what home remedies you can use on mosquito bites, and how to keep mosquitoes away with pest control in Tucson.

What Do Mosquito Bites Look Like?

Unfortunately, it can be tricky to tell mosquito bites apart from other types of bug bites. Like those of many insects, most mosquito bites appear as tiny, raised bumps on your skin. These bites can appear right away or within a few hours of the bite. 

Mosquito bites can be itchy, and excessive scratching can break the skin near the bite, cause more swelling, or even lead to temporary redness around the bite mark. The good news is that most mosquito bites don’t cause any permanent harm or damage – the bite may itch for three to four days after you were bitten, but swelling should disappear within a week. 

Keep in mind that not everyone has the same reaction to mosquito bites. While most people have mild swelling and itchiness, some people can have more severe reactions. This is called Skeeter’s Syndrome, and it occurs when someone is allergic to a protein in mosquito saliva. 

If someone has Skeeter’s Syndrome, the bite may swell up to an extremely large size, become painful, and they may even develop a fever. If you suspect you have Skeeter’s Syndrome, you should always seek medical attention. 

If you begin to experience excessive swelling, fever, chills, or other symptoms following a bite, this could indicate the bite is from another pest – or you’re dealing with a mosquito-borne illness – so you should take a trip to the doctor. 

How To Stop Mosquito Bites From Itching?

One of the most annoying parts about having a mosquito bite is the itchiness, which can last several days as the bite heals. Not only is it a nuisance, but too much itching can even break the skin and lead to a sore or, in rare cases, a secondary skin infection. 

The reason that mosquito bites itch is because mosquitoes inject their saliva when they suck your blood. Your body recognizes this saliva as a foreign substance, triggering your immune system – hence the itching. 

Fortunately, there are some ways you can counteract this unpleasant side effect, such as: 

• Use a lidocaine or benzocaine treatment on the bite. These are topical agents that will numb the area. If you happen to have a lidocaine or benzocaine cream on hand, it could stop the itching while the bite heals. 
• Use an antihistamine. Over-the-counter antihistamines can reduce the inflammation in your body, which may relieve some of the itchiness and swelling. 
• Apply some aloe vera gel. Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, so it can reduce swelling and promote healing in the spot where you’ve been bitten. 

If you’re using one of these treatments for the first time, it’s always a good idea to double-check with your doctor before using a new topical cream or treatment. 

What To Put On Mosquito Bites

Besides topical treatments you can put on mosquito bites to stop the itching, what else can you do following a mosquito bite, and how can you treat the bite? 

Here’s what you should do if you find you’ve been bitten by a mosquito: 

1. Resist the urge to itch the bite; instead, gently clean the area with soap and water. 
2. Use an icepack on the bite for five to ten minutes to reduce swelling and some of the itching. 
3. If the bite is still itching a lot, you can apply a lidocaine cream, aloe vera, or take an antihistamine to relieve it. 

Mosquito bites should heal within three to four days, and scratching the area is only likely to prolong the healing process. 

How to Keep Mosquitoes Away From You And Your Family

While you may not be able to keep mosquitoes out of the yard or prevent bites completely, you can significantly reduce mosquito populations by working with Pest Friends. With years of experience, our effective pest control treatments can help you get rid of mosquitoes in Arizona that are causing you trouble.

If you’re constantly treating mosquito bites, there’s only one thing to do – contact us today at Pest Friends to learn more about how our mosquito control program can help you.