Although the annoying nature of mosquitoes is largely indisputable, there are still a lot of questions that tend to crop up when it comes to these notorious biting bugs. Show
For example, what causes the mosquito bite allergy resulting in red bumps that so many of us experience? Also, what is the best mosquito repellent for different situations? Lastly, and most importantly for this article, what is it about our feet and ankles that are so irresistible to mosquitoes? Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Us?Before we get deeper into the specifics of why mosquitoes opt for certain areas of our body above others, we must first establish a baseline of mosquito knowledge. While most of us know the itch of a mosquito bite all too well, we might not understand exactly why it is that those little bloodsuckers, well, suck blood. Some other types of bugs might turn to stings as a method of self-defense; mosquitoes are different. Instead, they operate more like bed bugs. The kinds of bugs that bite us are always female mosquitoes. This is because only female mosquitoes need nutrients to grow and lay their eggs. Unfortunately, our blood is the perfect formula for them. So, while other bugs might only sting when provoked, a mosquito will go ahead and bite you anytime it is feeling peckish. How Do Mosquitoes Bite?Chances are that you have noticed mosquitoes have a long appendage on the front of their head (possibly before you squished it). This appendage is known as a proboscis, and it essentially functions as a straw with a sharp end to pierce the skin. When a mosquito bites you, it sucks up blood and then uses its saliva to prevent your blood from clotting, possibly trapping the insect in the process. Once the mosquito has done its dirty work, it flies off to lay eggs and continue this deeply unpleasant cycle. Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?Oftentimes, people are both especially surprised and put off by the addition of the mosquito’s saliva. After all, the mosquito has already taken our blood. Did it really have to leave a souvenir? This unfortunate gift gets even worse when you consider that it is the mosquito saliva that our bodies hate. Essentially, a human body perceives the mosquito’s saliva as a foreign entity. As a result, the immune system goes after it to try to stop the intrusion. It is the production of histamine by your immune system that leads to itchiness and discomfort and swelling and redness. This can lead to hives and welts. You might recognize the word “histamine,” possibly because you are used to seeing an “anti” in front of it. An over-the-counter antihistamine such as hydrocortisone can treat allergic reactions. Unfortunately, such treatments may have unpleasant side effects. Luckily, there are a wide array of natural alternatives and home remedies that are both effective and safe in terms of mosquito repellent and easing itchiness. Why Are Mosquitoes Such Big Fans of Our Feet and Ankles?Now that our crash course on the basics of mosquitoes is complete, let’s get into some more specifics. Whether you were hanging out in your yard or have the audacity to be near some standing water such as birdbaths, you have likely experienced this phenomenon firsthand (or first foot). You were sure to put on long sleeves and long pants, but the mosquitoes seem to flock to you anyway. Despite there being areas of you that were certainly easier to reach, you end up with a plethora of bug bites on your ankles and on your feet. What is it about our feet that seem to attract these pests? Unlike Us, They Like It When We SmellDo not take it personally, but mosquitoes are often attracted to specific people based on their smell. This is why they are so attracted to the parts of us that are traditionally considered to be smellier. This especially applies to our feet and ankles, but this principle also holds true when it comes to our armpits. Scientists do not quite understand why, but it has also become clear through research that mosquitoes prefer to feed on humans than other species. They just prefer our smell. Lucky us! Carbon Dioxide Smells Delicious (to Mosquitoes)Besides just our enticing smells, mosquitoes are also very attracted to carbon dioxide. They actually have sensors inside of their mouths that help them determine what areas of our bodies have the highest concentration of carbon dioxide. By detecting carbon dioxide, the mosquito receives information that this is likely either a human or animal that could serve as a great meal. How Can You Prevent Mosquito Bites Naturally?There are a lot of reasons that we should all want to repel mosquitoes and prevent them from biting us. For one thing, it is no secret that the itchiness we feel for days afterward is an unpleasant side effect that no one wants to deal with. Plus, many other possible downsides come along with being bitten. Although they are rare depending on where you are located, multiple diseases can be carried and transmitted using mosquitoes as their hosts. The yellow fever mosquito (also known as the “Aedes aegypti”) can carry and spread diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus. Meanwhile, other kinds of mosquitoes are more likely to carry incredibly dangerous diseases such as the West Nile virus and malaria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (The CDC) reports that transmitting malaria does not harm the mosquito itself, but it can cause devastating symptoms in humans. Use Mosquito Repellent PatchesAvoiding mosquito bites is essential so that you and your family can have only the best of adventures. Hate sticky and smelly bug sprays? We’ve got your back (or, well, your feet). The BuzzPatch utilizes a special blend of totally natural essential oils to resist mosquitoes for good. These patches are both safe and effective for kids and adults alike. Surround Yourself With Plants That Organically Repel MosquitoesIn addition to using patches and essential oils, there are also many lovely plants that can be harnessed for their mosquito repelling properties. Herbs such as rosemary and basil can help, as can the delightfully fragrant mint and lavender. You can use these in the form of diluted essential oils or in their full plant form. For maximum effect, you can place these plants near stagnant bodies of water. After all, this is where mosquitoes most typically breed and lay their eggs. If you use a natural insect repellent to force them away, they will have to find somewhere else to go about their business. Hopefully, it will be somewhere far, far away from you. One Step at a TimeMosquitoes — we love to hate them, but we do not necessarily hate to love them. Generally speaking, people do not experience anything having to do with love at all when mosquitoes are in the mix. Depending on who you ask, the only constant is change, or the only certainties are death and taxes. Upon further review, perhaps these flying pests should have been added to the list. Sources: Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch and Swell Up? | Medical News Today Yellow Fever Mosquito – Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) | University of Florida About Malaria | CDC Mosquito bite on the back of a boy’s neck. Credit: Getty Images.
Mosquito bites are small, raised bumps on the skin that come from a female mosquito feeding on human blood. Mosquitoes are small, flying insects known as vectors (living things that carry diseases between animals and humans). Vectors often carry infections through blood.
A mosquito bite featuring a raised bump and a dark spot in the center. Mosquito bites are small, raised bumps on the skin resulting from a female mosquito feeding on human blood. Mosquitoes are small, flying insects. They have six legs and long mouthparts — used to feed on blood and nectar. Only female mosquitoes feed off of blood. Three different types of mosquitoes exist in various parts of the world: Aedes, Culex and Anopheles. Often, mosquito bites don’t cause any lasting harm. They cause mild annoyance and irritation for a short period. However, mosquitoes are dangerous because they spread diseases that can be fatal. Where are mosquitoes found?Mosquitoes are often near water. They lay their eggs in shallow, stagnant water. The eggs are usually in marshes, ponds, lakes, children’s pools, the inside of tires, birdbaths and other containers with shallow water. Why do mosquitoes bite?Mosquitoes bite and suck blood for reproduction. Though male mosquitoes only eat flower nectar, female mosquitoes eat both flower nectar and blood. The females need the protein in blood to develop eggs. What happens when a mosquito bites you?Mosquitos have a long mouthpart (proboscis) that extends far beyond their heads. It looks like a tiny needle. When a mosquito bites you, it uses this mouthpart to pierce your skin, suck your blood and secrete saliva into your bloodstream. Why do mosquito bites itch?When a mosquito secretes saliva into your bloodstream, your body registers the saliva as an allergen. Your immune system then sends the chemical histamine to the area where the mosquito bit you to remove the allergen from your body. Histamine is what causes your mosquito bites to itch and swell. Most people have a mosquito bite allergy. How do mosquitoes spread disease?Mosquitoes spread disease through their bites. Mosquitoes are vectors (living things that carry diseases between animals and humans). Vectors often carry infections through blood. Many of the creatures classified as vectors are bloodsuckers. Other vectors include ticks, fleas and sandflies. When a mosquito bites, it not only sucks blood but secretes saliva. This saliva enters your blood. There is an exchange of fluids between the mosquito and your bloodstream. An infected mosquito has fed off a person or animal with the disease. It then passes the infection on when it bites. Mosquitoes often feed in a method called sip feeding. Sip feeding means that the mosquito doesn’t just suck all of the blood it needs from one source — it takes multiple meals from multiple sources. Unfortunately, this exposes more people to infection. What types of diseases can be spread by mosquito bites?
Who is at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes?Mosquitoes bite anyone. However, some factors might prompt mosquito bites. These include:
After a female mosquito bites you, a small, raised bump forms. The raised bump may change colors, and you can sometimes see a small, dark spot in the center. That dark spot is where the bite occurred. What causes a mosquito bite?Mosquito bites are the result of a bite by a female mosquito. Male mosquitoes don’t bite. A female mosquito doesn’t necessarily bite you, but instead sucks blood as a part of their diet. The skin around this area is irritated, and a circular bump appears on the skin. What are the symptoms of a mosquito bite?The symptoms of a mosquito bite can vary. If the mosquito has a disease or an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms could be more severe. The common symptoms include:
More severe symptoms can include:
Mosquito bites typically don’t need treatment. Topical mosquito bite creams can relieve itchy skin and discomfort. However, see your healthcare provider if more severe symptoms develop after a bite (allergic reaction, fever, headache or body aches). Also, see a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms and have recently visited a place where mosquito-spread infections are common. Treatment will vary depending on the type and severity of the infection. How do I stop mosquito bites from itching?Don’t scratch your mosquito bites. You risk breaking your skin and exposing yourself to infection. If you accidentally break your skin, keep the area clean by washing it with soap and water and covering your mosquito bites with a bandage. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an infected mosquito bite. Mosquito bites only last a few days. However, there are many over-the-counter products or home remedies that can stop mosquito bites from itching. While home remedies are safe for most people, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before trying some of the following options to get rid of your mosquito bites. You may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction on your skin.
You can prevent mosquito bites in several ways. These include:
When visiting an area with an active mosquito-carried disease, it’s important to follow safety guidelines. It can be dangerous to travel to areas with active mosquito-carried diseases when pregnant. Transmission of the Zika virus to a pregnant woman can impact the fetus (possibly causing birth defects). The virus can also spread through sexual contact. It’s important to protect yourself and your partner if you’ve traveled to a region with Zika. Bed bug bites vs. mosquito bitesLike mosquitoes, bed bugs feed off your blood and secrete saliva into your bloodstream. Bed bug bites look similar to mosquito bites. However, bed bug bites often exhibit a distinct line or zigzag pattern. Bed bugs are active at night, and they’ll bite your exposed skin while you’re sleeping, including your face, hands, arms, feet and legs. If you’re suffering from bug bites over a long period, your healthcare provider can help you identify the type of bite. Flea bites vs. mosquito bitesFleas also feed off your blood and secrete saliva into your bloodstream. Flea bites look similar to mosquito bites and bed bug bites. Fleas travel by jumping, so their bites appear more random than bed bug and mosquito bites. You’re more likely to experience flea bites if you have dogs, cats or another pet that spends time outside. If you’re suffering from bug bites over a long period, your healthcare provider can help you identify the type of bite.
You should see a healthcare provider if you experience an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite or develop symptoms of a disease carried by mosquitoes. If you’ve visited a region with active mosquito-transmitted diseases and develop symptoms, see your healthcare provider. A note from Cleveland Clinic Mosquito bites are an itchy, pesky reality when the weather is hot. In most cases, mosquito bites are ultimately harmless. But you shouldn’t scratch mosquito bites. You can relieve your itch with many over-the-counter or home remedies. Contact your healthcare provider if your bites last longer than a few days, continue to grow in number or if you develop an allergic reaction.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/15/2021. References
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy |