Mosquito bites are a given during the summer months. Whether you’re someone who spends most of their time outdoors or just find yourself outside for quick trips to the grocery store, mosquitos are opportunistic insects who will find a way to bite you. Mosquito bites are very uncomfortable, and scratching them can lead to a skin infection. Learn tips for healing a mosquito bite fast so that you can enjoy your time outdoors this summer. For same-day care for bug bites, walk into AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy. We are open 7 days a week and accept walk-in patients of all ages.
Why Are Mosquito Bites So Itchy?
Mosquitos can be incredibly irritating to deal with in the summer. Depending on where you live, mosquitos can make it unbearable to be outdoors during the early morning or late afternoon hours of the day. Not only do they hurt when they bite, but the bites can be itchy and inflamed for days.
Mosquito bites cause swelling and itching for days after the initial bite. This is because the saliva secreted by the mosquito when it bites you triggers an immune response. Mosquito saliva is recognized as an allergen, causing swelling and itching as your body has a small allergic reaction to the bite.
Can You Be Allergic to Mosquito Bites?
Mosquito bites are recognized as an allergen for most people’s bodies. However, this is not the case for everyone. Some lucky people may have little to no reaction from a mosquito bite. On the other hand, some people can be very allergic to mosquito bites and have a more severe reaction.
Unlike other biting and stinging insects, it is unlikely that you will be severely allergic to mosquitos. Anaphylaxis due to mosquito bites is very rare. Instead, anyone with a severe allergy will just have more swelling and itching than others at the bite site.
How to Heal a Mosquito Bite
The most important thing to remember about mosquito bites is not to scratch them. If you have a lot of bites or are moderately allergic, this can seem impossible. However, scratching mosquito bites can create an open wound in the skin. This wound can easily become infected and cause complications during the healing process.
The best way to heal a mosquito bite is to treat it like a hive from an allergic reaction. Avoid itching it and apply ice to reduce swelling and itching. Applying over-the-counter anti-itch creams and medicated creams to prevent infection can also help promote healing. Taking an antihistamine can also help bites itch less. The less you irritate the area, the faster the bite will heal.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy for Same-Day Bug Bite Treatment in Perth Amboy, NJ
Bug bites can be frustrating to deal with. Resisting the urge to itch them can be extremely difficult and especially difficult if a young child is suffering from bug bites. If you do find that you have accidentally broken the skin from a bug bite and it looks infected, you should visit urgent care. Similarly, if you’re having an unusual reaction to the bite, you may require treatment at urgent care. At AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy, our board-certified medical providers can help treat infected bug bites and provide relief for new bites. Our clinic is open 7 days a week and accepts walk-in patients. Simply walk into the clinic, or schedule your visit online.