The female mosquito needs the protein in blood to produce her eggs. The female mosquito injects saliva into the bite to keep blood from clotting. This makes it easier for her to suck up the blood. The cells of the immune system rush to the site of the bite and try to get rid of the saliva. As a result, there is swelling and itching-an allergic reaction. Some people tend to welt up more than others do because they are more allergic to the mosquito’s saliva.

Female mosquitoes use the carbon dioxide we exhale when we breathe as a primary clue to our location. From 100 feet (30 meters), mosquitoes can smell human scent, especially the carbon dioxide. They follow the scent upwind and can see people at about 30 feet (10 meters). They don't see very well; at 30 feet they have trouble distinguishing people from other objects of similar size and shape, such as tree stumps, large containers, etc. When they get within 10 feet, they can sense body heat.

Using repellents on the skin is not the only way to avoid mosquito bites. Children (and adults) can wear clothing with long pants and long sleeves while outdoors. DEET or other repellents such as permethrin can also be applied to clothing (but is not registered for use on skin), as mosquitoes may bite through thin fabric. Finally, it may be possible to reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area by getting rid of containers with standing water that provide breeding places for mosquitoes.

Prevention of mosquito bites can be achieved either through undertaking active mosquito control or by the use of personal protective measures. A variety of active mosquito control measures are available, including habitat modification in order to reduce water availability for breeding of the larval stage, through to the use of appropriate insecticides for controlling the larval or adult stage.

When a female mosquito bites, she injects a bit of saliva that prevents the blood from clotting and allows it to flow freely. It’s your body’s allergic reaction to the saliva that causes the swelling and the itch later on.

When the female mosquito pierces the skin with her mouthparts, she injects a tiny amount of saliva into the wound before drawing blood. The welt that appears after a mosquito bite is not a reaction to the wound, but an allergic reaction to the saliva injected during the bite. In most cases, itching and swelling subsides within several hours. In some highly sensitive people, they may persist for several days.

The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends that screens on doors and windows to be in good condition and to use personal protection. Personal protection includes dressing to minimize exposed skin, wearing insect repellent and avoiding the outdoors during the hours of dawn to dusk (6:00 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) which is when mosquitoes that have been identified as possibly carrying the disease are out.

Cold water and ice can be useful, although ice should not be applied directly to the skin. A variety of commercial preparations can be obtained from the chemist including Eurax? and Stingose?. In severe cases, oral antihistamines may have to be administered and if symptoms persist, a physician should be consulted. (BACK)

Try to avoid times or areas where mosquitoes are most active: near marshes, wet woods, or other swampy locations. (But many mosquitoes are long-distance fliers, and will come into populated areas to find you). If possible, stay indoors during peak mosquito activity; for many species at dusk, during the evening or night, and into early morning. Avoid outside activities requiring a lot of exertion and generating much carbon dioxide, a natural mosquito attractant.

When a female mosquito pierces the skin with her mouthparts, she injects a small amount of saliva into the wound before drawing blood. The saliva makes penetration easier and prevents the blood from clotting in the narrow channel of her food canal. The welt that appears after the mosquito leaves is not a reaction to the wound, but an allergic reaction to the saliva injected to prevent clotting. In most cases, the itching sensation and swellings subside within several hours.

If possible, schedule your activities to avoid the times when mosquitoes are most active - usually dawn and dusk. You should also dress in light, loose-fitting clothing. If you have a deck, light it using General Electric yellow "Bug Lights". These lights are not repellant, per se, but do not attract mosquitoes like other incandescent lights. Mosquitoes are relatively weak fliers, so placing a large fan on your deck can provide a low-tech solution.

Wear light-coloured clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors in the evening and early morning. Use an insect repellent, preferably containing DEET. Ensure you choose the correct DEET-containing product that is suitable for the age of the person and for the time spent outdoors. Please see the fact sheet on Mosquito Repellents for more information on this topic.

Individual reactions to alcohol vary, and are influenced by many factors, including but not limited to:1 Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alcohol and Public Health, http://www.cdc.gov/

Be aware of the times of day when mosquitoes are most likely to be biting. The prime biting periods are often at dusk and dawn. If you do go outside when mosquitoes are biting, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants. Hats are also useful. If you are frequently outside when mosquitoes are biting, consider wearing special clothing that has been treated with permethrin to repel mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are attracted to incandescent light bulbs, so avoid turning on lights inside the stable during the evening and overnight. Ultraviolet light (black light) is not as attractive to mosquitoes. Incandescent bulbs may be placed around the perimeter of the stable to attract mosquitoes away from the horses. Eliminate standing water on your property, including, used tires, manure storage pits and drainage areas with stagnant water. Topical mosquito repellents are available for horses.

The best is to use mosquito repellent, but generally on board and at sea you should not be bothered by mosquito and sun flies. Mosquito and Sun flies are more to be found on the beach and villages. Thailand is not a risk zone for any tropical diseases.

Ten to 20 people die every year as a result of dog bites in the U.S. By far, the majority of the victims are children. In a three-year period between 1999 and 2001, 33 people died after being bitten by a dog. A vast majority of these victims (24 of 33) were under 12 years of age.

Fight back by taking a daily dose of 500mg of vitamin B1, starting two weeks before you leave these shores, and maintaining this daily dose throughout your holiday. This really will stop mosquitoes from biting in the first place. One of the best topical botanical creams to use as your second line of defense any Anti-Insect Moisturizer, which contains the herbs lavender, geranium and Melissa. One such moisturizer is Alfresco anti-insect moisturizer.

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Mosquitoes are an important vector in the transmission of diseases such as Malaria, West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever. Getting these diseases from a mosquito bite will depend on the geographic prevalence of the disease and the species of mosquitoes in that area. During a mosquito bite, mosquito saliva is injected into the bite as a local anesthetic and anti-coagulant. The female mosquito then proceeds to feed on the host blood.

Yes, Awayke? MD is beneficial in relief from reddish itchy wheals (eruptions) caused by insect bites including mosquito bite. Commonly food allergy is due to eggs, milk, certain fish and peanuts. It is important to identify the exact food item causing allergy and avoiding them. It is not always necessary to stop taking the allergic food item for a lifetime; the same may be reintroduced in your diet without any problem after sometime.

For more detailed information on protection please refer to our web pages on How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Mosquito Bites and Insect Repellents.

It is very unlikely. Only about one person in five bitten by an infectious mosquito develops symptoms. Furthermore, the chance of severe symptoms is lower in children than in older adults.

There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus. Therefore, people must protect themselves from all mosquito bites. Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day time throughout the day. Highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset.Wear full sleeves clothes and long dresses to cover as much of your body as possible. Use repellents- be careful in using them in young children and old people.

When the female mosquito bites, she injects a small amount of saliva into your capillary, the small blood vessel from which she takes her blood meal. This saliva makes the penetration of her proboscis (mouthparts) easier and prevents the blood from quickly clotting. The welt or red bump that appears after the bite are actually a mild allergic reaction to the saliva. Some people are more allergic to mosquito saliva than others and tend to get larger welts.