Introduction
Mosquito bites can be very unpleasant. As a rule, mosquito bites in Germany do not cause any complications except agonizing itching. They lead to redness and itchy swellings, but these subside after a few days.
During the biting and sucking act, the mosquito transmits certain proteins to humans via its saliva. It does this to prevent human blood from clotting. These proteins cause a minor allergic reaction in humans, which causes redness, swelling and itching.
Typically, so-called wheals develop. These are knob-like elevations of the human skin, which occur due to the release of histamine, for example, in the case of an allergic reaction. Mosquito bites are also more or less painful.
This depends both on whether and to what extent the bite hurts sensitive pain fibers and on how one subjectively feels the pain. The itching can be alleviated with antihistamines or by heating the bite site. Heating leads to a destruction of the proteins and prevents the allergic reaction.
In Germany there are actually no mosquitoes that transmit dangerous diseases. However, when travelling abroad, you should know that under certain circumstances mosquitoes can transmit diseases. Mosquito bites are usually harmless in Germany.
They occur more frequently in summer and lead to slight allergic reactions, which are accompanied by itching and slight pain. Inflammatory reactions and allergic immune responses vary greatly from person to person, however, and so the effects of an insect bite on humans can also vary greatly. However, since the native mosquitoes do not transmit diseases, these are kept within limits.
Nevertheless, there are people who show a stronger allergic or inflammatory reaction. This can manifest itself, for example, in very severe itching, circulatory problems or even diarrhoea and nausea. You should then always consult a doctor, who will initiate treatment with cortisone or antihistamines if necessary.
If breathing difficulties occur, which is an extremely rare case, you must immediately consult an emergency doctor. Likewise, one should go to the doctor with very large swellings in the face or neck lying. As with all wounds, contamination can lead to inflammation. One should therefore refrain from scratching the mosquito bite bloody. This opens up the possibility for germs to penetrate the wound and cause an inflammation of the skin.
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