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5 Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

5 Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

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Mosquito bites
“..what hurts more is probably the blisters and bumps they leave behind..” 🦟

The whining of a mosquito is a familiar sound that hovers past our ears these days. Ever noticed how active these creatures are during power cuts at night, buzzing non-stop around us, aiming to make a smooth landing on our skin? 

And what hurts more is probably the blisters and bumps they leave behind. Here are five easy home remedies for those painful mosquito bites that take an eternity to go away.

What happens under your skin after a mosquito bites you?

When a mosquito bites, it uses its long mouthpart; proboscis (which looks like a tiny needle), to prick your skin and suck your blood. When this occurs, its saliva is released into your bloodstream. Your body acknowledges this as an allergen, signalling your immune system to transmit the chemical ‘histamine’ to the area bitten by the mosquito. This is done to remove the allergen from your body. 

The histamine triggers an inflammatory response causing the area around the mosquito bite to swell and itch.  In some people, the bites may develop into an allergy as well.

Mosquito bites a person hand

Do all mosquitoes drink blood?

No, it’s only the female mosquito that drinks blood. This is because proteins present in the human blood are essential for the development of mosquito eggs.

How does a mosquito spread diseases?

When an infected mosquito bites, it transfers the infection via its saliva into your bloodstream, passing the infection onto you. Since mosquitos practise ‘sip feeding’, the process of sucking blood from multiple sources, the infection tends to spread among many people.

Home remedies for mosquito bites​

Here are some natural remedies for mosquito bites that can help reduce the itch and inflammation:

       1. Ice

Apply a bag of crushed ice or an ice pack over your bumps for about 10 mins to reduce the itch and swelling.

       2. Honey

Honey has vital anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a drop of honey onto the affected area. This would help reduce the itch and pain.

      3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera helps increase the speed of wound healing. To use this on your mosquito bites, cut a small section of an aloe vera plant and apply its gel onto the affected area. Let this dry on your skin and reapply again as necessary.

      4. Onion

This common kitchen vegetable has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, which helps lower irritations associated with the skin. Cut an onion slice and apply it to the area of mosquito bites for a few minutes. Then, remove the slice and rinse the area thoroughly.

     5. Apple Cider Vinegar

The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of apple cider vinegar helps treat many skin conditions such as eczema. Add a drop of apple cider vinegar on your bump . If you have several bites, soaking a cloth in cold water and vinegar and applying it to the affected area may give you some relief and reduce itching.

home remedies for mosquito bites

When should you visit a doctor?

You can consult a doctor via oDoc if you experience an allergic reaction to mosquito bites or see the following symptoms of dengue passed on by mosquitos:

  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Aches and pains (behind the eyes, muscles or joints)
  • A rash

With the number of dengue patients increasing in the country, it is vital that you maintain a clean surrounding around your homes and prevent the population of mosquitos. Applying a mosquito repellent such as citronella oil will also help you avoid mosquito bites. If you think you are undergoing a severe allergic reaction caused by mosquito bites you can consult a dermatologist, or if you are experiencing the above dengue fever symptoms, you can consult a GP via the oDoc app.

Sources

  1. 16 Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites, Healthline (2022)
  2. Mosquito Bites: What They Look Like, Why They Itch & Treatment, Cleveland Clinic (2021)
  3. Dengue – Symptoms and Treatment, CDC (2021)
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Dengue In Children

Dengue in Children

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Written by Dr. B.J.C. Perera

dengue in children

There have been reports of high rise in cases of Dengue in Colombo and other parts of the country over the last several years. Dengue is a disease that could affect children and adults, and affects people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or social status. The word Dengue is derived from the word “Ka – Dinga pepo” in the Swahili language and is pronounced as Dengi. The word in Swahili refers to an illness with cramps. One of the cardinal features of the disease is severe muscle pain, and perhaps the word was derived from Swahili to denote this important clinical feature. At other times, the condition has been called “break-bone fever” as well, referring to the intense limb pains associated with it.

The virus that causes Dengue was isolated in the 1940s, and there are four types of the virus that causes the disease in humans. Outbreaks of the disease are due to one or more of these four serotypes. The disease is transmitted by one of two species of mosquitoes known as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The disease has a vast range of severity and presentation. In some children, it could present as the ordinary flu or viral fever, while in others, it could be a severe life-threatening illness. It depends on several factors such as the virulence of the infecting virus, the immunity of the individual, and whether it is the first attack or not. Attack by one type of virus does not confer immunity to the other three types. When there are second, third, and fourth attacks of Dengue in an individual, the incidence of the complications increases. This is due to the production of a type of antibody by one strain of the virus that enhances the effects caused by another strain. Some of these antibodies are not protective but augment the complications and deleterious effects of the other strains of the virus.

dengue symptoms

Symptoms and Signs of Dengue

Dengue fever starts just like any other viral fever. It commences with a high swinging fever, often associated with intense muscle and joint pains. The fever usually responds poorly to simple fever-lowering medications like paracetamol. The child may feel ill at times of fever, but in milder cases, especially when it is the first attack, the child may not feel too bad. After a couple of days, the fever appears to get better, only to flare up again within a day or so. This is generally known as a saddle-back type of fever. This second phase is the one that is associated with the dreaded complications of the disease. 

Complications arising through Dengue

The dengue virus induces a peculiar increase in permeability characteristics of the blood vessels leading to uncontrolled fluid movement from the bloodstream to the surrounding tissues. It is also known as the “leaking” of fluid from the bloodstream into the adjacent areas and is commonly referred to as the “leaking phase.” This situation leads to reduced fluid within the circulating compartment and is associated with a fall in blood pressure and cardiovascular malfunctioning. The patient presents in a state of collapse or shock. This is known as the “Dengue Shock Syndrome.”

In addition, the virus causes a certain amount of direct damage to the blood vessels, which leads to a bleeding tendency. The disease also causes a fall in the platelets of the blood, enhancing the bleeding as platelets are intimately involved in the clotting processes of normal blood. This is known as “Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever.” The bleeding manifests as spots on the skin or internal haemorrhage, particularly in the stomach and intestines, and this presents as brownish or blackish “coffee grounds” material in the vomitus or black faeces. 

In some rare cases, the heart is affected, leading to a complication known as myocarditis which leads to heart failure. This particular complication can be troublesome and needs to be managed very carefully. All these complications are associated with an increased rate of fatalities. However, with competent management, these fatalities could be reduced drastically.  

It is essential to point out that the child remains conscious and alert throughout the illness, even when they are quite ill with the dreaded complications. These complications cause death and are much more common during second and subsequent attacks of the disease. The standard, uncomplicated form starts with a high fever and vomiting, and the patient generally feels unwell. The period around the 4th to the 7th day is crucial for the development of the complications. However, many affected individuals go through the illness just like any other form of flu and recover without any problems. However, the more severely affected children feel quite ill, especially during the late phase of the disease that comes on after 3 to 4 days.

Diagnosis could be quite tricky in the early stages

It is noteworthy that a definitive diagnosis could be quite tricky in the early stages of the disease. Although some sophisticated tests such as NS1 Antigen Test could detect the virus even in the first couple of days of the illness, these are not fool-proof and is expensive. These tests detect the virus’s genetic structure using a technique known as the Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR. The standard blood counts show typical features of any viral infection in the first couple of days. Subsequently, these counts show thickening of the blood caused by an uncontrolled shifting of fluids out of the bloodstream and a fall in the platelet count. The tests to detect antibodies become positive from about the 3rd or 4th day but once again, they are not fool-proof. Negative antibody test does not exclude dengue fever. A characteristic feature in the leaking phase is developing a collection of fluid in the chest around the lung, particularly on the right side. This feature, seen quite well in a chest x-ray, is a significant diagnostic value. Fluid also accumulates in the tummy and is detected by ultrasound scans.

doctor treating child patient with dengue

Immediate medical supervision is essential

A child with Dengue must come under medical supervision as soon as possible. Many of them who do not develop any complications will only need simple measures to control the temperature and would only need further observation. However, if a complication develops, the recovery is determined by how quickly a medical team intervenes with aggressive active management. Many of them would need intravenous fluids to control the shifting of fluids within the different compartments of the body. A lot has been learned during the last decade in managing these patients, and constant vigilance is required practically from hour to hour when there are significant complications. Much can be done in the acute phase, especially if complications develop. All medical facilities in the government sector are quite well equipped to handle these cases, and people in these institutions are the most experienced in dealing with these cases. Although fatalities are highlighted in the media the mortality rate in children is extremely low and is now well under one percent. Unfortunately, up to now, there is no vaccine to prevent Dengue. Quite a few vaccines are still in the trial stage. Thus, preventive measures are directed toward controlling the mosquito population.

Lack of concern for health, rains and abundance of mosquitoes create the ideal breeding ground

There are reports of a resurgence of Dengue Fever in this country from time to time. Some families, unfortunately, have lost beautiful normal children to the disease. The rains do come from time to time, and mosquitoes are everywhere. The usual nonchalance and lack of health consciousness of the people are also abundant. This means the three cardinal ingredients for the perpetuation of Dengue Fever are in place right around the country. It is a disease that conjures up visions of unsavory consequences and death in most people’s minds. Sporadic cases are seen regularly in our medical facilities, and from time-to-time increased incidence of the epidemic, nature occurs practically throughout the country. It is not a new disease, but it is perhaps quite apparent that it has now come to stay. It is most unlikely that any form of control measures undertaken will ever be able to completely eradicate the disease from this country. 

The public in the community must cooperate with the authorities to eliminate the breeding places and habitats of the mosquitoes that transmit this disease. This is certainly not an enterprise that the state could undertake successfully. Civic consciousness, collaboration, and support on the part of the general populace are of paramount importance in any control measures undertaken by the authorities. Most unfortunately and quite sadly, it is almost a national trait of many people to remain apathetic and indifferent in such endeavors as long as the fundamental problem does not affect them directly. It is of the essence to reiterate that Dengue can strike anybody and at any time. A unified and concentrated effort to prevent it is the need of the hour.

This is an excerpt from the book “MODERN CHILD HEALTHCARE: A GUIDE TO PARENTS“ written by Dr B. J. C. Perera. Titles added by the oDoc team.

Dr B. J. C. Perera

Paediatrician

SLMC number 4979

Asiri Medical Hospital in Kirula Road and King’s Hospital (former Oasis Hospital).

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Is this COVID-19 or Dengue?

Is this COVID-19 or Dengue?

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The differentiation between dengue and COVID-19 diagnoses is challenging in tropical regions because of the similarity of symptoms and limited access to specific diagnostic tests for each disease. According to research, most people who get dengue or COVID-19 have mild illnesses and can recover at home and feel better after a week or two. However, some will be at risk of developing severe diseases that could be life-threatening and require hospital-based care that differs between conditions.

Warning signs for COVID-19 and Dengue.

COVID-19: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, the new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea.

Dengue: Nausea, vomiting, rash, aches and pains, gum bleeding, lethargy and restlessness.

Common factors of COVID-19 and Dengue? 

Both COVID-19 and dengue fever are infections caused by viruses. They could both cause fever and body ache in the affected individual. Additionally, both these viruses could cause mild to severe symptoms. In their severe forms, both conditions could damage multiple organ systems and cause death in their severe forms. 

Difference between COVID-19 and Dengue? 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. It is most often transmitted from one person to another via respiratory droplets that are spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. However, dengue fever is caused by the dengue viruses that spread through the infected Aedes species mosquitoes’ bite. 

Dengue’s incubation period ranges between 3-10 days, typically 5-7 days. On the other hand, COVID-19 is thought to extend to 14 days, with a median of 3-5 days from exposure to symptoms onset.

What are the possible complications of COVID-19 and Dengue? 

Some people, about 1 in 6, may have complications, including life-threatening ones. 

COVID-19 complications may include the following

  • Cardiovascular complications
  • Kidney complications
  • Severe lung disease
  • Blood clots
  • Death

A small percentage of people who have dengue fever can develop a more serious form of the disease.

Its complications may include the following

  • Decrease in blood pressure
  • Bleeding
  • Hemorrhagic fever
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Death

These lists are not exhaustive.

How can you protect yourself from COVID-19 and Dengue?

COVID-19

  • Get vaccinated as soon as it’s available to you and follow local guidance on vaccination.
  • Maintain distance, avoid crowds and close contact.
  • Double mask while going out.
  • Clean your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly. 
  • If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, self-isolate until you recover.

Dengue

  • Use mosquito repellent.
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing.
  • Use mosquito nets/screens at home.
  • Cover and clean water containers of stagnant water regularly.

When should you see a doctor?

It is best to consult a doctor if fever develops with any of the following:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Pain in muscle or bone 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rashes
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough

It is difficult to differentiate COVID-19 from dengue fever during the early stages of the illness. A PCR or Rapid Antigen Test is the best (and only) way to rule out COVID-19. If you test positive and need to isolate at home, the oDoc Home Care package brings you a dedicated doctor virtually to monitor your symptoms every day while you recover. Tested positive? Start your recovery now!

On the other hand, a complete blood count test and a Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or a Dengue antigen test (NS1) must be done to check for Dengue. Our mobile lab service, oLabs, comes to your door so you don’t need to leave home for blood tests. If you are experiencing any of the severe symptoms mentioned above and need to clarify certain doubts, speak to one of our doctors on oDoc! Download the app today!

References

  1. Symptoms of COVID-19, Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (2021)
  2. How do You Tell COVID-19 and Dengue Apart?, Health plus (2020)
  3. Differentiating Dengue from COVID-19: Comparison of Cases in Colombia, ASTMH (2021)
  4. Advice for the public: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). World Health Organisation (2021)
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