Mosquito bites occur on areas of exposed skin.
Female mosquitoes must feed on blood to reproduce. Male mosquitoes, and females of species not requiring a blood meal to produce eggs, do not bite. Mosquito bites, like the insects that cause them, are small, but produce annoying and profoundly uncomfortable effects. If you have a mystery bite on an exposed area of skin, it may have come from a mosquito. Signs and symptoms of a mosquito bite can take up to two days from the time of the bite to appear.
Marks
The mark left by a mosquito is the point where the mosquito's bite punctures the skin. Female mosquitoes have an anatomical structure called the proboscis. The proboscis is a sheath-like covering that encases a needle-like protrusion. The mosquito inserts the hollow protuberance into the skin and sucks blood out in a manner similar to a hypodermic needle. Marks left by a mosquito bite are soft and begin pale, but often swell and take on a blushed or red appearance.
Itching
Mosquito bites itch. Different people react differently. Some individuals may experience little to no itching, while others experience moderate to severe itching. The itching occurs at the site of the mosquito bite. Mosquitoes inject an anti-coagulant chemical into the bite. This anti-coagulant keeps blood from clotting as the mosquito extracts it from your body. The chemical also prevents the blood from clotting inside of the mosquito's body. The itching sensation that accompanies a mosquito bite is the result of a mild allergic reaction to the anti-coagulant substance.
Severe Reactions
A severe reaction caused by a mosquito bite is rare, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although rare, some individuals may experience a severe allergic reaction to the anti-coagulant produced by mosquitoes and transferred to the body when bitten. Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction caused by a mosquito bite include hives across the body, swelling in the throat, wheezing and difficulty breathing. An anaphylactic reaction is an immediate and life-threatening medical emergency. Although anaphylaxis is not a sign of a mosquito bite in and of itself, it can occur as the result of a bite.
Mosquito Borne Diseases
Not every mosquito transmits disease, but mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of several diseases, including West Nile Virus. Originating in Africa, West Nile Virus is prevalent throughout the United States. Mild symptoms of West Nile Virus are similar to those of the flu and include fever, headache and body aches as well as swollen lymph nodes and a rash. Moderate to severe West Nile symptoms include disorientation, ataxia, muscle weakness, lethargy, stiffness or paralysis, coma and confusion. Even those with mild to moderate symptoms need to seek medical care as soon as possible.
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