What Happens When a Mosquito Bites a Person?

contributor , Brandi Laren.

Because of the proteins and anti-coagulants that a mosquito has in its saliva, a bite can affect blood vessel constriction, blood clotting, inflammation and more. More commonly when a mosquito bites a person, however, is an itchy, raised bump that appears within 24 hours of the bite. This bump occurs because the body's immune system is responding to the bite. Some people have more severe reactions to mosquito bites. For example, some people may experience bruises, hives all over the body, extremely large swelling areas or blistering rashes after they've been bitten.

Mosquitoes and Diseases. Mosquitoes suck blood from people and animals and inject their saliva into their blood. In addition to anti-coagulants and proteins, their saliva can also contain parasites or disease-causing viruses. As a result, mosquitoes can pass diseases, like the West Nile Virus, which can quickly lead to permanent neurological damage. The West Nile Virus tends to become an issue in the summer, when mosquitoes are more common. West Nile Virus symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, paralysis, vomiting, headache and more. How to Treat a Mosquito Bite. Mosquito bites can be treated with antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream. Simply rub the hydrocortisone cream over the bite and take an oral antihistamine as recommended. For severe reactions, go to an emergency room immediately. Try to avoid scratching the mosquito bite, as that can make the bump worse. This can be tough, since mosquito bites are really itchy. A bite can become infected because of bacteria under the fingernails, so it's important to keep nails away from the bite. In addition to hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines, mix together a paste of baking soda and water and put it on the bump. This helps soothe the itch and heal the bite. Ice, water or a cold drink can also soothe the bitten area. The best way to avoid mosquito bites all together is to put on insect repellents and avoid standing water--mosquitoes tend to lay eggs there.

Use mosquito repellent