Skeeter Syndrome: What is it?

Skeeter syndrome is a mosquito bite allergy. When a mosquito bites (sucks from) you, it injects a small amount of saliva containing a protein that helps numb the bite site. Our immune systems fight foreign irritants like the proteins in mosquito saliva with histamines (white blood cells meant to fight off allergens).

Interesting enough, people who have never been bitten by a mosquito will often show no bite symptoms. Their bodies do not know how to defend against the irritant left by the mosquito, and therefore produce no bump or reaction, no itchy bug bite.

Skeeter syndrome appears in people who are particularly sensitive to mosquito saliva. Their bodies produce a more severe defense reaction, with more widespread swelling and itchiness. Mayo Clinic explains that a more severe reaction can lead to mistaking your bite for other skin diseases:

The red, itchy, painful swelling referred to as skeeter syndrome is sometimes mistaken for a secondary bacterial infection brought on by scratching and broken skin. Skeeter syndrome is actually the result of an allergic reaction to proteins in mosquito saliva. There's no simple blood test to detect mosquito antibodies in blood, so mosquito allergy is diagnosed by determining whether the large, red areas of swelling and itching occurred after you were bitten by mosquitoes.[1]

Many people jump to conclusions and assume more serious skin conditions like cellulitis – a bacterial infection within the skin. Cellulitis can happen anywhere there is damage to the skin, such as a cut, tear, bite, burn, etc. It is important to be aware of cellulitis symptoms (extreme reaction to mosquito bites, fever, chills).

Keep in mind, picking mosquito and other insect bites until they are wounds can create the appearance of cellulitis (and increase the chances of contracting it). That is why it is important not to scratch your bites.

Skeeter syndrome is a more severe reaction to the irritants (the proteins in mosquito saliva) you are exposed to when bitten by mosquitoes and may sometimes require medical attention. This does not mean that there are not natural bug bite remedies for skeeter syndrome!

Using a Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool immediately after being bitten by mosquitoes greatly reduces the chances you will experience itching, swelling, burning and pain associate with this immune reaction, whether you are sensitive to skeeter syndrome or just mildly inconvenienced by the itchy welts.

So don't immediately assume skeeter syndrome is something more serious, like cellulitis! Skeeter syndrome treatment is not unlike other home remedies for insect bite relief. But if symptoms worsen or become severe, it might be time to visit the doctor.

Are you just a really tasty mosquito magnet or do you experience the more pronounced skeeter syndrome symptoms? Share your experiences by tagging us @bugbitething in your photos on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter.

 Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375314