Skeeter Syndrome occurs when swelling develops on your skin approximately 8 to 10 hours after a mosquito bite (from female mosquitoes only). This disorder is more common in children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. What exactly is this syndrome, and how can it be identified and treated in time? The following blog provides more details to answer these questions.
What is Skeeter Syndrome?
Skeeter Syndrome is primarily caused by allergic reactions that lead to skin inflammation several hours after a mosquito bite. This typically happens because your skin may be allergic to the mosquito's saliva.
With this syndrome, you may notice swelling, redness, itching, and soreness in the affected areas. Experts suggest that the mosquito or its saliva must have made contact with your skin for at least 6 seconds to be diagnosed with this condition.
Typically, the allergic reactions from a mosquito bite subside within 24 hours. However, in rare cases, these reactions can quickly worsen, leading to the development of this syndrome. The good news is that the effects of this syndrome generally begin to recede within 2 weeks. In some cases, people may recover within 2 days, especially if the condition is treated promptly.
Symptoms of Skeeter Syndrome
Keep an eye out for these symptoms to determine if you have been affected by this mosquito bite syndrome:
- Quick swelling of the skin in more than one area
- Warm sensation in the affected areas
- Change in skin pigmentation and texture
- Itching sensation and pain in the affected areas
- Rashes, blisters, or hives
- Fever
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
Causes of Skeeter Syndrome
The following causes the syndrome:
- The saliva of mosquitoes contains proteins called polypeptides.
- When the mosquito bites you, its saliva enters your skin through its proboscis (the elongated mouth portion of the insect).
- The polypeptides react with your bloodstream and cause allergic reactions.
- Usually, these allergic reactions settle down within 24 hours. However, they may go on to become huge swollen areas after a few hours in some rare cases. This is when you are diagnosed with Skeeter Syndrome
- This is caused only by mosquito bites, and it is not a contagious ailment.
Treatment of Skeeter Syndrome
To ensure Skeeter Syndrome is treated properly and promptly, your doctor needs to make an accurate diagnosis. Typically, after physically examining the affected areas, your doctor will ask about the time of the mosquito bite and when the swelling or rashes began to appear. They will also check your temperature, examine the swelling of lymph nodes, and look for any signs of breathlessness, among other symptoms, to rule out other potential ailments.
Once you have been diagnosed with this syndrome, your doctor can advise you on one of the following treatment procedures:
- Oral antihistamines to control the severity of the allergies
- Topical hydrocortisone creams/ointments to control the inflammation in the affected areas
- Over-the-counter medications to treat the fever and pain (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.)
- Oral steroids, or injections, in case of severe symptoms of this syndrome
When this syndrome is diagnosed and treated properly, you can recover within 3 to 10 days. However, as with all other ailments, prevention is also better than cure for this syndrome. Here are a few preventive tips you can keep in mind to keep swelling and inflammations of this syndrome at bay:
- Keep your surrounding areas clean, and remove stagnant water immediately, as this is an important mosquito breeding site.
- Avoid visiting areas where mosquito infestation is high.
- Use mosquito screens for the doors and windows at home to avoid the entry of insects.
- Always cover your arms and legs with thick clothes when stepping out, especially in the early morning and evening hours.
- Use mosquito repellents and bug sprays whenever needed to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
- Choose mosquito repellents wisely. Use the ones approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) so that they are safe to be used on kids and pregnant/lactating women.
- When using repellents on kids, apply them only on the clothes. Keep these sprays and repellents away from your kid’s eyes, mouth and hands.
Conclusion
In most cases, the swelling and rashes caused by mosquito bites subside within 1 or 2 days. However, in rare instances, complications can arise. This occurs when insect bites cause excessive swelling and present with additional symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, or difficulty breathing. Seeking medical intervention when you notice these severe symptoms can help treat the syndrome on time using oral pills, topical creams, or injections. With proper treatment, the syndrome's effects typically resolve within 2 weeks.
Managing the medical costs associated with this condition (and other infections spread by mosquitoes) can be stressful, especially if you don’t have a suitable health insurance policy. Therefore, it's important to do your research now and invest in a policy with the right coverage that meets your needs, helping you avoid any unpleasant surprises later.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.