What happens to your skin when a mosquito bites?
The histamine that is released into the skin following a mosquito bite has a number of effects in the body that are related to wound healing, skin irritation or the allergic response.
The allergic response
When histamine is released from the cells in which it is stored, it causes the tiny blood capillaries in the skin to dilate and become leaky, which is why the skin goes red. This response is part of the natural wound healing process, because fluids, cells and chemicals that are needed to nourish and mend the injured tissue are required.
In the case of an allergic reaction the response is not necessary to the level to which it occurs, since it is an over-reaction of our immune system to foreign substances that are not usually harmful (in this case, the mosquito saliva).
Why do the blood vessels dilate?
On the cells making up the blood capillaries are receptors for histamine, little ‘docking sites’ where histamine can bind. When it does bind, the blood vessel will dilate. It’s like putting a key in a lock: the receptor is the lock, the histamine is the key: when the key is inserted and turned, you get a response and the blood vessel dilates.
The role of antihistamines
An antihistamine is a drug that has been developed to look similar to histamine, but which does not generate the response, so it’s like a key you can fit into the lock, but which won’t turn, so the response can’t happen. If an antihistamine sits in the receptor, histamine can’t get in: there’s already a ‘key’ in the ‘lock’, so you can’t insert another one. So an antihistamine blocks the action of histamine and you don’t get the dilation of the blood vessels, and in this case, the reaction to the mosquito bite. Symptoms of itching and redness are reduced and usually the bite will gradually disappear over a few days.
Ideally, an antihistamine product should be applied to a mosquito bite as soon as possible to reduce the impact of the immediate histamine release and as directed by the product instructions. If a bite becomes infected, or if there are other symptoms that might indicate a more serious disease that may have been transmitted by the mosquito when it punctured the skin, speak to a healthcare professional.
After a mosquito bites, histamine is released into the skin.
Mosquito bites cause discomfort. Why do they bite? What happens to the skin when mosquitoes bite, and what causes the urge to scratch a mosquito bite?
Вас также могут заинтересовать следующие статьи
УКУСЫ НАСЕКОМЫХ
Солнце и теплая погода всегда хороший повод для активного дня на природе. Узнайте, как сделать так, чтобы комары, осы, пчелы и шершни не испортили Ваш отдых.
КОЖНЫЕ ПРОЯВЛЕНИЯ АЛЛЕРГИИ
Ваша кожа служит барьером, который защищает Ваше тело от вредных воздействий. Каждый день этот барьер контактирует с аллергенами, чужеродными, загрязняющими и раздражающими веществами. Любые из них могут провоцировать реакции, типичные для кожной аллергии, например, кожный зуд и сыпь, которыми может проявляться ряд таких заболеваний, как атопический дерматит, экзема и себорейный дерматит.
КОЖНЫЙ ЗУД
Кожный зуд может раздражать вас, но, как и боль, он также может быть способом тела предупредить вас о возникшей проблеме со здоровьем. Узнайте, что является причиной вашего зуда.