Why do mozzie bites itch?

FIRSTLY, let’s just get this out there: Only female mozzies bite – and only when they’re developing eggs.

So let’s take a moment to think of the millions of innocent male creatures you have swatted into an early death, who were totally innocent of any sort of assault on your person.

Now mommy mozzie is hungry, and she needs protein and iron to grow her eggs, so she’ll hone in on a blood vessel that’s pumping well, which means she simply has to insert her probuscis (a straw for a mouth, basically) into your vein and her ‘pregnancy protein shake’ is rapidly delivered into her abdomen.

This is where things start to get itchy.

You see, while she’s chugging away on your blood stream, she releases some of her saliva into the tiny wound.

This special spit concoction contains anti-coagulants that prevents clotting and keeps your blood flowing until she is finished with her meal

But your body quickly reacts the this spit invasion by sending immunoglobulins (antibodies) to the area of the bite.

These antibodies cause your mast cells to release histamines to combat the foreign substance.

The histamine reaches the bite, causing blood vessels there to swell up, causing a red bump (a wheal).

Itchy scratchy…

This is where things get really irritating.

When the blood vessels expand, the swelling irritates nerves in the area, which makes you start itching.

And scratching.

And swearing.

There’s not much you can do for yourself after the mozzie has struck, so it’s best to avoid being bitten in the first place by using a good insect repellent, or burning citronella candles in your outdoor areas.

Also, it’s a good idea to remove any containers from your yard, as mosquito larvae are born from water.

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Sources: Thoughtco.com / Physician’s Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance, 6th edition, by Jerome Goddard.The Insects: An Outline of Entomology, 3rd edition, by P. J. Gullan and P. S. Cranston”Mosquito Bite Itch,” by Kathryn Eckert, Ross Lab, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh. Accessed online November 2, 2015.”Medical Mythbusters – Mosquito Bites!,”by John A. Vaughn, MD, and Angela Walker, Med IV, Ohio State University. Accessed online November 22, 2016.”When Mosquitoes Bite, Take Antihistamines for Relief,” by Delilah Warrick, MD, University of Washington. Accessed online November 22, 2016.