Mosquito bites that seem harmless at first can become infected, become red and swell.
There are several reasons for that.
More and more people show a
violent reaction
to mosquito bites
.
The affected areas swell up, become thick and fiery red - the sting has become infected.
This is mostly because bacteria have gotten into the puncture site.
But exotic mosquito species can also be to blame for the painful and itchy bites.
Some tips * can help relieve itching.
In the worst case, you should consult a doctor.
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Inflamed mosquito bites from scratching
If germs and bacteria get into the puncture site, the mosquito bite can become infected.
Most often this is caused by scratching.
So you should definitely resist the itching and avoid scratching the mosquito bite.
This is because
bacteria
, such as streptococci that sit on the human skin, get into the puncture site.
But even if you don't scratch yourself, a mosquito bite can get infected.
Most likely, the mosquitoes are now themselves carriers of the germs - experts assume.
This could be the case especially in rural areas where mosquitoes come into contact with animal excrement.
Exotic mosquitoes in Germany
For some years now, in addition to bacterial contamination, another problem has become noticeable: more and more non-native mosquito species are settling in Germany.
The
Asian tiger mosquito,
for example, which normally only occurs in the tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, has already immigrated to Germany.
The striking black and white patterned insects are considered to be carriers of diseases such as dengue fever.
And the
Asian bush mosquito
has now also settled in Germany.
These exotic mosquitoes can not only
transmit disease
.
They also have a different
composition of saliva
, which is unknown to our immune system and can therefore lead to stronger reactions.
The mosquitoes, which often come from tropical areas, get to Germany, for example, through international trade.
Climate change could also play a role in mosquito immigration.
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What you can do against the pests
Treat mosquito bites
The best remedy for mosquito bites is prevention: with a good mosquito repellent, for example. These are applied to the skin and ensure that the insects no longer perceive the smell of humans - and therefore do not sting. Long clothes, insect screens on the windows or mosquito nets over the bed can also help to keep the bloodsuckers away. However, if you have already been stung, the following tips can provide relief:
Heating
: Probably the most effective way to stop the itching is by heating.
It is best to take a teaspoon and hold it briefly in boiling water.
Then gently press the hot spoon against the puncture site - be careful not to burn yourself.
If necessary, let the spoon cool down briefly before putting it on.
A temperature of 50 degrees Celsius is ideal.
This is likely to destroy some of the itch-causing enzymes from the insects' saliva.
This also reduces the release of histamines.
Cooling
: After heating, it makes sense to cool the sting to reduce swelling and relieve itching.
Creams or gels
: These contain antiallergic agents (antihistamines) that help against itching, burning and redness.
Ointments containing cortisone are usually used for stings that are already infected.
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