Tag: bites

How to Protect Your Pets from Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes are always annoying, and we as humans have a lot of options to try to keep them away from us. However, our furry companions don’t have the choice to go out and buy mosquito repellent or put on a long sleeved jacket. But there are options for those who want to reduce their fluffy friends’ chances of getting heartworm – the main risk dogs and cats face from mosquito bites.

 

Protect them with these helpful tips:

 

#1
Insect Repellant

While not all repellents are safe for dogs, there are some that can be used. Keep anything containing DEET away from the dog, as that can make them very sick. Check the ingredients, and if it is safe, spritz the dog so that the bugs are less interested in getting near him. The same goes for cats.

 

#2
Keep Pets Away From Bugs

While it might not be an easy task, keeping dogs away from mosquitoes is another important option. This could include not walking in very wet areas or marshes, and making sure that there is no stagnant water around the property. Don’t let the dog get bit at home, so make sure that bowls of water are being changed often.

 

#3

Keep Pets Inside

Also, keep the animals inside during the time that mosquitoes are most active. This will minimize their exposure to bites. During the early evening and the early morning, the mosquitoes are at their worst, so wait a little bit longer to take the dog on a walk. If the cat is allowed to go outside during the day, wait until later in the morning to let it out. Also, make sure to get the cat back inside by the late afternoon.

 

#4

Mosquito Proof the Home

Getting a good screen in all of the windows can keep bugs out so that animals won’t get bit while they are lounging around the house. Leaving the windows open in the summer is something that many do, but letting in mosquitoes could be very dangerous to those living inside. Even cats, which may not go outside very much, could be put at risk if the window is left open without a screen, and that could make them very sick.

 

#5

Provide Medication

Even if you do all this, it still might not be possible to keep a pet from getting bit every once in a while. In this case, giving your pet heart worm medication may be important, as that will lower the risk of illness resulting from bug bites. The bites may be annoying to the animal, but it is important to keep the animal from scratching them and making it worse.

 

#6

What To Do for Bites

If there are bites on the face and ears of your pet, putting some antibacterial cream on their bites is important. Try not to let them scratch at it, and take the pet to a vet if it gets worse. Also, bring the animal to vet on a regular basis to test for heart worm, as early detection is what will ensure that the dog is ultimately going to be healthy.

 

All of these prevention tactics are good for the furry friends in the home. Just follow them, and ask your vet to test your pet regularly for heart worms.

 

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?

Posted on by k2Dev

It is a common misnomer to declare the ceaselessly tiresome red swelling on one’s arm a mosquito “bite.” A mosquito doesn’t so much as bite as pierce the skin and draw blood in a similar vein as a phlebotomist. Furthermore, the primary reason why that itching is so persistent has as much to do with the person as it does the mosquito.

Why Do People Itch?

Recent scientific studies indicate that all itching may be caused by a molecule called natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb), which is released by the heart and sent to the brain via the spinal column. It is quite likely that without this molecule being sent to the brain one could avoid the itching from the mosquito altogether. Essentially, instead of being angry at the mosquito one could be angry at their own heart, spine or brain.

Why Does the Mosquito Want Your Blood?

It is understandable for one to think a mosquito is sucking your blood like a vampire for greedy sustenance. This isn’t really the case. Male mosquitoes gather nutrients from plant nectar and sugar sources as do the females. However, females require blood for their eggs and reproduction.

A Short Narrative From Proboscis to Fingernail

A female mosquito locates its prey, lands on it, and pierces the flesh with its proboscis. The proboscis is like a long needle, but victims rarely feel the “bite”; they more often feel the reaction. The mosquito finishes drawing blood and flies off, or perhaps is squished in the process. The human response that follows is why mosquito bites itch.

In order to draw blood quickly and effortlessly, the saliva of the mosquito contains an anti-coagulate so the blood flow remains constant. This saliva causes the human immune system to send antibodies to the intruder, which in turn triggers histamine. You may notice that “anti-histamines” are a common term to describe anti-allergy products. It is the histamines that cause blood vessels near the bite to swell up and display a physical queue of where to scratch.

Scratching this area and digging into it with fingernails, poking an X on it and other assorted physical voodoo may work are but temporary victories in the battle against the itch. These “victories” eventually lead to even more itching and pain because the immune system kicks in, yet again, to help by sending in more antibody soldiers and resulting in more heartache. The itching is not first and foremost on the mind of the immune system. The immune system wants the saliva-intruder out by any means necessary.

Developing a Tolerance to Mosquito Bites

Many children and adults get allergy shots to help reduce severe immune response to offending histamines. On a similar principle, the human body may grow more tolerant of mosquito bites over time. Still, it is not recommended that you purchase mosquito saliva and inject yourself with it nor go outside amongst a swarm of hungry mosquitoes in hopes of being “cured.”

Fascinating Conclusion

Blame not the mosquito as much as the person for the bites and subsequent itch.
The more you sweat, breathe and efficiently process cholesterol, the higher the likelihood of attracting mosquitoes. A mosquito also chooses its blood supply by sight. Therefore, preventative measures often include general avoidance of any area where mosquitoes exist.

The itch is an immune response you need if you were to consider what might occur if a swarm of mosquitoes were able to painlessly and itchlessly suck out enough blood for its victim to die. This immune response prevents such an occurrence with the mere cost of an itch. It’s a worthy compromise.

 

How to Treat Mosquito Bites

Posted on by k2Dev

Summers mean that you’re spending more time outdoors, and mosquito bites are almost impossible to avoid. Although mosquito bites are usually harmless, the itching can be uncomfortable and keep you up at night. Luckily, there are lots of options available to reduce the itching and inflammation associated with the infamous mosquito bite.

 

When a mosquito bites you, it injects its saliva into your skin through its thin proboscis and drinks your blood. The mosquito’s saliva contains proteins that produce a natural anesthetic, but your body’s immune system reacts to the foreign material. This reaction is what causes that familiar itchy, swollen red bump to form.

 

It can be tempting to scratch a mosquito bite for the temporary relief, but this isn’t an effective treatment. In fact, scratching makes the inflammation worse, and the bite will take longer to disappear. Scratching can also break open the skin, which leads to scarring and allows bacteria to enter the wound. This can lead to infection, transforming a harmless mosquito bite into a serious medical problem. If you do scratch a mosquito bite open, keep the wound clean and cover the area with a band-aid.

There are plenty of treatments to help sooth the itching and quell your desire to scratch. Both over-the-counter medicines and natural remedies can provide effective relief.

Over-the-Counter Mosquito Bite Treatments

One over-the-counter treatment to stop itching is an anti-histamine cream or lotion. These treatments usually contain pramoxine, which relieves pain and itching. Some studies have suggested that ointments aren’t the most effective treatments for insect bites, but they may work for some people. If your body reacts more severely to mosquito bites, resulting in larger bumps, you can also take an oral anti-histamine. Anti-histamines are found in many allergy medications at your local drug store, but they can also cause drowsiness, among other side effects.

 

#1

CALAMINE LOTION

Calamine lotion is a popular treatment for mosquito bites. Use a Q-tip to dab a small amount on the area and let it dry for a few hours. Then wash it off with warm water. You should notice that the swelling has gone down.

 

Natural Mosquito Bite Treatments

Mosquito bites can also be treated by a variety of items you already have in your house. These treatments can be great for reducing the itchiness while also being cost-effective.

 

#2

COLD WATER

One of the easiest ways to combat a mosquito bite is by applying cold water or ice to it. Run cold water on the area or use an ice pack. You can also wrap a few ice cubes in a paper towel and press them against the bite. The cold will reduce swelling and numb the area. These can be especially useful methods to keep in mind if you are out of the house and don’t have access to other treatments.

 

#3

HONEY

Honey has naturally occurring anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. In addition to being a popular household ingredient, it is commonly found in natural and organic lotions. Apply a little bit to the bite for relief.

 

#4

LEMON AND LIME

Lemons and limes are another common ingredient you can use to treat mosquito bites. The citric acid found in these fruits can relieve itching. You can either rub a slice on the bite or apply some of the juice to the area.

 

#5

TOOTHPASTE

Putting toothpaste on a bite is another option. As with calamine lotion, dab a small amount and then allow it to dry. Reapply if necessary. This can be a great treatment to reduce the swelling from all kinds of insect bites.

 

#6

ASPIRIN

Apply water to the mosquito bite, then rub a tablet of aspirin over the area. This method also works with Tums or Rolaids, and it should make the itching go away very quickly.

 

On average, mosquito bites will stop itching in a few days and disappear completely within a week. If someone has a severe allergic reaction to a mosquito bite, or if the bite becomes infected, seek medical treatment immediately. In a vast majority of cases, mosquito bites are a problem that can be easily treated, and you shouldn’t let them stop you from enjoying the warm weather.

 

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Posted on by k2Dev

This may come as a surprise, but you have more reason to be afraid of a mosquito than a shark or any other animal. Mosquitoes can carry more diseases and can kill more people than any other species on earth. Understanding what mosquitoes need to survive and some of their techniques for finding blood will enable you to better protect yourself from the itchy – and potentially dangerous – mosquito bites.

There are 3,500 known species of mosquitoes. Roughly 200 species bite humans. They can be found on every continent and can survive in almost any habitat. They are pests to mammals all over the world, and there are some species that only bite birds. Even reptiles and amphibians do not escape the bite of a mosquito. However, humans are not the main source of food for a mosquito.

A surprising fact about how mosquitoes feed is that their feeding habits are almost identical to butterflies. You may wonder how that can be true. It may seem like mosquitoes feed primarily on you, but they actually get their energy from nectar and fruit juices. They sip the nectar from flowers and fruits through a proboscis – just like the butterfly.

It is the female mosquito that requires blood, but only for reproduction. Male mosquitoes do not require blood. The female’s eggs need protein and iron to develop, which is why she has such an innate ability to detect the carbon dioxide that humans exhale. In fact, she can detect carbon dioxide from about 75 feet away and will fly through it to land on her target.

But to fully complete their life cycle, mosquitoes need stagnant water to lay eggs and develop into mature mosquitoes. This is a crucial point. It is a significant characteristic of mosquitoes that humans can take advantage of to greatly reduce mosquito populations around their homes and neighborhoods.

So naturally, the first step in protecting yourself from mosquito bites is to remove sources of standing water from your yard.

  1. Start after a rainstorm. You’ll  need to ensure there are no toys, tires, gutters, tree holes, or anything else,full of water sitting around. If you leave these items unemptied, it won’t be long before they’re full of mosquito larvae. Encourage neighbors to do the same.
  2. When needed, work with local governments to clean up public areas. Besides large areas of stagnant water that may need to be drained, trash and leaves piled up will hold pockets of water just the right size for a mosquito to lay eggs.
  3. Dawn and dusk are when mosquitoes are the most abundant. During this time, avoid leaving doors and windows open, and as much as possible, stay inside.
  4. When you spend time outdoors, at any time of the day, try to avoid dark shady spots. Mosquitoes prefer dark moist areas. You are less likely to be bitten in brighter sunny areas.
  5. Wear long sleeve tops and loose pants, and make sure your feet are covered. Wearing light colored clothing will make you less attractive as well.
  6. Spray the screens on your doors and windows with a repellent. This will help to kill them off before they enter your home.
  7. There are various kinds of outdoor candles that give off smoke with a scent. These can be helpful even if you do not plan on spending time outdoors. The smoke and smell will deter them from coming in to your yard.
  8. Keeping a couple of oscillating fans in your back yard or deck is helpful. It keeps the carbon dioxide you exhale moving and prevents it from guiding the mosquito to you. Additionally, mosquitoes are not strong flyers, and they will not be able fly around in the force of the wind.
  9. Limit use of perfumes and scents that attract mosquitoes, such as floral and fruity fragrances.
  10. A warm, sweaty, panting person in an area where there is not much air flow is an ideal target for a mosquito. If you have just finished a workout, then move out to an open breezy place to cool down.
  11. Always plan in advance. Close windows and doors well before dusk, especially in the bedroom. Apply mosquito repellent well before mosquito time. Sometimes it is good to use more than one kind of repellent. This will help cover multiple types of mosquitoes.