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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff- Infected bites. If you scratch mosquito bites, any resulting sores could become infected.
- Mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes can act as reservoirs of diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. The mosquito obtains a virus by biting an infected person or animal. Then, when biting you, the mosquito can transfer that virus to you through its saliva. West Nile is found in the United States. Other diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are far more common in tropical areas of the world. However, malaria and dengue fever are rare in the United States.
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Although rare, a serious reaction to mosquito bites might occur, which can result in swelling in your throat, significant hives and wheezing. This requires immediate medical attention.
References
- Castells MC. Insect bites. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Whitehorn C. Mosquito vectors of infectious disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Hsia RY. Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases: Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of mosquito bites (Part I: Mosquitoes). In: Auerbach RS. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192842131-3/0/1483/377.html?tocnode=54236352&fromURL=377.html. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Beware of bug bites and stings. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048022.htm. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Hsia RY. Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases: Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of mosquito bites (Part II: Diseases). In: Auerbach RS. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192894961-2/0/1483/378.html?tocnode=54236358&fromURL=378.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03228-5..50047-1--cesec11_2157. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- West Nile virus facts. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/ptb/pest/wnv_facts.htm. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Mosquito control and West Nile virus. National Biological Information Infrastructure. http://westnilevirus.nbii.gov/mosquitoes.html. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Mosquitoes. In: Habif TB. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9--s0845&uniq=192842131&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=977693082. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Active ingredients found in insect repellants. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/ai_insectrp.htm. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Hsia RY. Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases: Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of mosquito bites (Part III: Mosquito control). In: Auerbach RS. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192894961-2/0/1483/379.html?tocnode=54236406&fromURL=379.html. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- West Nile virus — QA: Insect repellent use and safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm. Accessed April 3, 2010.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 13, 2010.
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