adminScratching the surface is what makes mosquito bites itchy
This occurs virtually every summer. You are having a wonderful day outside, and then you notice a little reddish swell on your skin. You do not even bother to know for certain what makes mosquito bite itchy you begin to scratch. The more you scratch the more reddened your skin becomes and the itchier it gets. This automatically spoils your day. Now the question is what makes mosquito bite itchy?
Why the bite of a mosquito itches
When you get bitten by a mosquito certain things happen. At first, the mosquito pierces through your skin with her (only the female mosquito bites) feeding stylets. The stylet is made up of a pair of maxillae and mandible. After piercing your skin then she goes in search of any available blood vessel. When she finds one then the sucking begins. The amount of force mosquitoes exert while sucking the blood can cause the blood vessels to rupture. The mosquito inserts her saliva into your body the same time the blood is coming out.
The saliva serves the purpose of an anticoagulant; it hinders the clotting of blood at the pierced spot. This gives the mosquito the opportunity to feed as fast as possible without being noticed and get killed by you. The saliva is what makes mosquitoes bite so itchy. Once you begin to react to the bite it becomes swollen and itchy.
Scientific explanation of why mosquito bites are itchy
The saliva of the mosquito enters into the body through a tube called the hypo pharynx, while your blood is siphoned by the mosquito through another tube called the labrum. Certain proteins and enzymes present in the saliva hinder your blood from coagulating. The allergic reaction your body experience is due to the presence of the anticoagulant with several other proteins and enzymes.
In response to these allergens your immune system releases histamines. According to scientific research, these allergens are introduced into the body the first time a person gets bitten by a mosquito and then becomes sensitized to the materials present in the saliva. Your body releases immunoglobulin to the area that was bitten as a result of the sensitization. The mast cells that produce the histamine which causes the itchiness and any other connective tissues are broken down by the immunoglobulin. Mast cells help fight pathogens and makes wounds heal however they are a major cause of the swollenness and allergic reaction you experience. The body produces antihistamines which serve as an antidote to histamine and help stop the itchiness.
New findings have shown that the reaction of the body could be more complicated which involves a ‟histamine-independent peripheral pathway.” Mast cells are included and the release of other substances putting aside the histamines, as a result, the Central Nervous System receives a signal from the peripheral nerves system. The signals which are interpreted by the Central Nervous System are sent to the brain and it enables you to feel the itchiness of the bite.
More serious issues than what makes mosquito bite itchy
Understanding what makes mosquito bite itchy is an interesting subject; however it’s less important after you have suffered a bite. It won’t stop the bite from getting reddened and swollen and the chances that you would scratch are very high. Unfortunately, in the process of scratching you might damage your skin which allows the passage of micro bacteria and results to a more serious issue.
Mosquitoes are known to be vectors of dangerous diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, Chikungunya, dengue, mosquito-borne encephalitis and lots mores. Hence even if the scratching doesn’t cause infection, the mosquito bite can. There is more to it than just having the knowledge of what makes mosquito bite itch and the likely result. Contact professional pest management personnel so as to reduce the number of mosquitoes and keep your property safe for outdoor activities.
