Why does it itch when mosquitoes suck blood

In the hot summer, due to the influence of the climate, mosquitoes and other organisms reproduce in large numbers. Mosquitoes are very common pests. They not only contaminate food, but also bring a lot of trouble to humans. Basically everyone has had the experience of being sucked blood by mosquitoes. After being sucked blood by mosquitoes, it will not cause any adverse effects on our bodies, but it will cause a strong itching sensation, affecting our daily life. Most people don’t quite understand why the human body feels itchy after a mosquito sucks blood.

Why do mosquito bites itch?

In fact, it is because when mosquitoes suck human blood, they secrete several proteins at the same time, collectively known as mosquito salivary proteins. This is the root cause of why people feel itchy when bitten by mosquitoes.

Everyone knows that human blood will coagulate after a short period of time outdoors. But what few people know is that the saliva of female mosquitoes contains an anticoagulant that prevents human blood from clotting. In order to feed smoothly, female mosquitoes use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to not only suck human blood, but also secrete proteins to prevent blood clotting.

When mosquitoes secrete proteins, the human immune system is mobilized to try to eliminate these foreign substances, and an immune response occurs. During this process, a substance called histamine is released, which can dilate capillaries, increase the permeability of blood vessel walls, and fill the spaces between cells with fluid, causing inflammation. At this time, the mosquito bite area will become itchy, red and swollen.

What is uncomfortable is the itching at the bite, which is caused by the human immune system's unnecessary response to the mosquito's saliva protein. It is actually an allergic reaction. Some allergic reactions caused by mosquito bites are very fast, appearing within seconds of being bitten, but disappearing just as quickly, being gone after a day; while other reactions appear after a day, and last for several days or even many days before disappearing.

Tips to prevent mosquito bites in summer

To prevent mosquito bites, you can use the following methods:

①Use mosquito nets

② It is best to wear light-colored clothes for outdoor sports, as dark-colored clothes are more likely to attract mosquitoes.

③Take a shower as soon as possible after exercise to keep your skin fresh

④ If there are many mosquitoes in your daily activity area, you should wear long-sleeved clothes.

⑤ Wear socks as much as possible

⑥Clean small water containers such as flower pots at home

⑦ Do not use perfume or other cosmetics when you go to places with many mosquitoes