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How to Stop Swelling From a Mosquito Bite Near the Eye
Mosquito bites are caused by the female mosquito 1. Itching and swelling occur when your immune system reacts to proteins in the saliva of the mosquito, according to the Mayo Clinic 12. Try to use a mosquito repellent when going into an area heavily infested with mosquitoes. If you do get bitten by a mosquito and develop swelling near your eye, however, there are methods you can use to reduce the swelling.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Take Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medicine, so it will help reduce the swelling.
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Apply a cold compress for at least 15 minutes every hour. The ice will reduce the swelling near the eye.
Apply aloe vera gel to the spot. Aloe vera reduces swelling and itching and can be soothing to the skin.
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Take an antihistamine. This can help "counter-act the swelling caused by insect stings and many kinds of allergic reactions," according to Thomas Platts-Mills, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville 45. Take the recommended dosage on the box.
Warnings
See a doctor immediately if you develop hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty swallowing and become light-headed. A local reaction such as swelling is normal. Seek medical attention if your swelling or pain keeps you from performing your normal activities or keeps you awake.
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References
- Mayo Clinic: Mosquito Bites: Causes
- Mayo Clinic: Mosquito Bites: Preparing for Your Appointment
- Healthy-Skincare.com: Mosquito Bite Treatment
- Kids Health: Bug Bites and Stings: What to Do
- The Travel Doctor: Insect Bites and Stings
- Kelso JM. Allergic reactions to mosquito bite. UpToDate. Updated March 28, 2019.
- The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Skeeter Syndrome Definition.
- Jiamton S, Kaewarpai T, Ekapo P, et al. Total IgE, mosquito saliva specific IgE and CD4+ count in HIV-infected patients with and without pruritic papular eruptions. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2014;32(1):53-9. doi:10.12932/ap0317.32.1.2014
- Manuyakorn W, Itsaradisaikul S, Benjaponpitak S, et al. Mosquito allergy in children: Clinical features and limitation of commercially-available diagnostic tests. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2017;35(4):186-190. doi:10.12932/ap0842
- Fostini A, Golpanian R, Rosen J, Xue RD, Yosipovitch G. Beat the bite: pathophysiology and management of itch in mosquito bites. Itch. 2019;4(1):e19. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000019
- The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Immunotherapy for mosquito allergy.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Insect Bite and Repellant Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018.
- Raji JI, Melo N, Castillo JS, et al. Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Detect Acidic Volatiles Found in Human Odor Using the IR8a Pathway. Curr Biol. 2019;29(8):1253-1262.e7. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2019.02.045
- Kulthanan, K., Wongkamchai, S., and D. Triwongwaranat. Mosquito Allergy: Clinical Features and Natural Course. Journal of Dermatology. 2010. 37(12)1025-31.
Warnings
- See a doctor immediately if you develop hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty swallowing and become light-headed.
- A local reaction such as swelling is normal. Seek medical attention if your swelling or pain keeps you from performing your normal activities or keeps you awake.
Writer Bio
Melissa Morang began writing professionally in 2002. She has created sales scripts for telemarketing companies and contributes to online publications. Morang has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota.