How to Treat and Avoid Mosquito Bites

A rainy spring and early summer – along with recent dynamic flooding – have led to a bumper crop of mosquitoes across the Midwest.

Mosquitoes do more than “bug” us, especially with rife conditions in almost every backyard, vacant lot or patch of grass. They can spread disease, or their bites can lead to allergic reactions or infected skin.

What Problems Mosquitoes Cause

Most mosquito bites are harmless. But that’s not always the case. Medically speaking, here are some of the problems mosquitos create:

• Itchy bumps: When we get a bite, our immune system responds to skeeter saliva. Bumps usually go away after a day or two.
• Allergic reactions: Some people can have blisters, large hives and in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body called anaphylaxis.
• Mosquito-borne diseases: While the most serious diseases mosquitoes carry occur in Africa and other tropical areas, they can spread to the U.S. The most common disease mosquitoes spread in the Midwest is West Nile virus. While some species of mosquitoes can carry illnesses like dengue fever, Zika and even malaria, there are no reported human cases of these illnesses happening in our part of the world.

Whether or not mosquitoes carry disease depends on the species. Recent flooding creates ideal breeding conditions for all species of mosquitoes, but especially the Aedes vexans or the Inland Floodwater Mosquito, which does not typically carry the West Nile virus. But Culex tarsalis, known as the Western Encephalitis Mosquito, is common in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. They spread West Nile Virus and thrive in standing water especially stagnant water (like those the flooding has created).

How to Treat a Bite

Cleaning the bite with soap and water is the best first step. Then, treat the itch of a bite with any number of over-the-counter approaches.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends applying a couple of basic treatments:

• Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling
• Apply a paste made from 1 tablespoon baking powder and just enough water to create a paste. Wash off after 10 minutes.

An anti-allergy lotion or medication, like Benadryl, Claritin or Zyrtec, can reduce reactions like a large area that’s red and swollen, hives or low-grade fever, said Jason Knutson, DO, Avera Medical Group family medicine physician.

How to Stop These Bugs

Take these steps to remove standing water that serve as mosquito breeding sites:

Empty, scrub and turn over any items that hold water, like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot or trash containers.

• Mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of even a few tablespoons of water. Empty or cover everything.
• Tightly cover water storage buckets, cisterns or rain barrels.
• For containers without lids, use fine wire mesh to stop adult mosquitoes.
• Prevent tree holes from filling with water.
• Close cracks or gaps in septic tanks and cover open vents or plumbing.

While there’s no way to eliminate mosquitoes entirely, these steps will help:

• Wear mosquito repellant to keep the bugs at bay
• Choose repellents that are safe, effective, and EPA-registered, including those containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• DEET-based repellents range in percentage; use 30% ones (you don’t need more)
• Picardin is a synthetic compound designed to mimic the natural compound piperine, which is found in black pepper. It’s known for being less irritating to the skin.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus, a botanical, has been shown in studies to repel mosquitoes
• When outside, wear long sleeves and pants to cover exposed skin; mosquitoes can still bite you through light or sheer fabrics
• Mosquitoes feed most around dawn and dusk, so at those times, stay indoors or be cautious

"With some simple steps, you can keep yourself safe and avoid the annoying bites of mosquitoes,” Knutson said. “If you plan to travel, it’s always a good idea to talk to your provider about possible threats to health.”

See a provider or find an urgent care clinic near you if a bite becomes infected or needs additional attention.