Malaria

5 home remedies for mosquito bites

October 6th, 2019 by Content Editor

Mosquito bites are common, especially in summer, and can cause inflammation and itching.

Besides the annoying itch mosquitos provide, they can carry parasites and some pathogens, like malaria, filariasis, and viruses. In most cases, people may have allergic reactions to the bites.

Typically, a bite brings a red, swollen bump which is accompanied by an itch that can develop within hours and lasts a few days. A mosquito bite can also cause blistering-type lesions, hives, fever and swelling in the joints.

Your immune system reacts by releasing histamine, which creates a small, itchy bump. So the bump is not caused by the bite, but by your body’s allergic reaction to substances that the mosquito bite leaves behind.

Avoiding mosquito bites altogether is the best approach, but if you can’t. Keep these home remedies for bug bites that itch and swell, handy.

1. Tea tree essential oil

This oil has antiseptic properties that can help treat a variety of skin-related symptoms, including mosquito bites. Dab a little essential oil onto a cotton swab and rub it on the affected area. Lavender and peppermint oils also work well. Some people may be sensitive to essential oils applied directly to the skin; if that’s the case for you, try diluting the oil.

2. Baking soda paste

Add a few drops of water to some baking soda, mix it into a paste, apply it directly onto bug bites, and allow it to dry. The result will be a reduction in inflammation around the bite, which helps relieve soreness as well as itching. The alkalinity of baking soda can help neutralise the pH of an infected area and reduce itching. Just mix a tablespoon of baking soda with only enough water to create a paste.

3. Ice cubes

The easiest way to stop itching could be to hold an ice cube on the bite. It’s been found that since the brain can only process one sensation at a time, the itching will stop as you will feel the intense cold. Cold therapy numbs nerves that trigger itching and pain so that you don’t feel either one. The cold temperature helps limit the inflammatory substances to the site of the bite, which lessens swelling and ultimately provides immediate relief. Hold a bag of frozen veggies, ice wrapped in a cloth, or an ice pack on the affected area for about 15 minutes.

4. Honey

When it comes to soothing itchy bites, honey is a great go-to reliever. It’s a natural popular pick as it contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Place a drop on a mosquito bite for almost instant relief. Apply as often as needed until the itching and swelling subsides.

5. Lemons

Packed with naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anaesthetic properties, the citrus fruit makes for a useful natural remedy for mosquito bites. Cut a lemon in half and rub the inside over the bite for instant relief. Applying the juice can also help lessen the chance of an infection. However, don’t use lemons as a preventative measure before going outdoors. This would be ineffective and applying citrus juices to the skin when it’s exposed to sunlight can result in blistering.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if bites last longer than a week or show signs of infection. In extreme cases, mosquito bites and other insect stings can lead to an anaphylactic shock.

If you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms, immediate medical attention will be needed:

Breathing problems.
Hives or swelling
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Dizziness.

References:

How mosquitoes choose their victims

May 11th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You can’t sleep because you’ve been scratching and itching from mosquito bites, again! Why do they swarm to slurp your blood every night, but they seem to avoid your roommate?

Why these little vampires need blood

Pesky mosquitos are commonly known as bloodsuckers, but only female mosquitos are the culprits. Mosquitos generally feed on the nectar of flowers, but female mosquitos need blood to breed and lay fertile eggs.

The secret ingredient they’re looking for is protein which is necessary to develop their eggs. The blood is also used to feed young mosquitos.

Different species of mosquito’s feed on human blood than on animal blood.

Love at first bite

There are a few things about humans that make us attractive hosts for mosquitos. First, they’re attracted to the odour of carbon dioxide, a gas that humans and animals exhale. Another clue that a mosquito uses is body heat. They use this along with their vision to spot you.

So, why do some people seem to be mosquito magnets?

Some people have higher concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on the skin’s surface, which attracts mosquitos. These people are more efficient than others at processing the byproducts of cholesterol. This causes remains of the byproducts to stay on their skin’s surface.

Mosquitos also find certain acids attractive, like uric acid, which triggers a mosquito’s sense of smell.

Picky eaters

Although mosquitos have their taste preferences when it comes to blood, it turns out that they could be conditioned to dislike blood that they once enjoyed.

A study by Virginia Tech scientists in America revealed that mosquitos are able to rapidly learn and remember the scent of their victims. This study proved that dopamine, the feel-good hormone, is the key factor. It found that a mosquito’s preference for a certain person’s blood can change. This can happen if they begin to associate it with something unpleasant.

For example, if a mosquito keeps trying to feed on your blood and you swat it away continuously or use some sort of repellent, it will be less likely to want you as a host the next time. It now associates the threat of being squashed or swatted with trying to drink your blood.

So that’s one mosquito down, 3 million to go!

There may not be a permanent way to get rid of these annoying bugs, but you can repel them:

1. Light up

Citronella oil is an effective natural mosquito repellent. You can get citronella candles – an easy way to ward off the little pests. Just place a few around your garden or even in your lounge.

2. Spill some oil

Lavender is known for its lovely aroma, and mosquitos aren’t big fans. Add a few drops of lavender to your bedding or a ribbon attached to your window frames to keep them at bay. You can also mix lavender essential oil with two teaspoons of olive oil and dab it on your skin before bed.

3. Go garlic!

Garlic breath repels humans and it seems that it does the trick for mosquitos too. When you eat a meal with garlic, garlic oil is released from your pores. This wards off mosquitos who may be considering your blood for dinner.

4. Plant a repellent

The answer to your mosquito problems may lie in your gardening skills. Rosemary, citronella, lavender and basil plants will help create a barrier from mosquitos; they’re not too fond of the aroma of these plants.

References:

Side-step these 5 travel health-risks

January 5th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, these 5 bugs can ruin both. So, if you don’t want to spend you trip staring at the hotel or hospital ceiling, pack your first aid kit and these top tips!

Common travel illnesses:

Travel flu

There you are on your cruise and you come down with the flu – not ideal, but very common in a different country. And you don’t have to be surrounded by sick people to pick up a nasty bug: your immune system may be geared up for home, but foreign bugs often require a different immune system to ward off.

Before you set off on your trip, then, check the flu activity levels at your destination. Make sure you’re up to date with your vaccine. Wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitiser as a back-up, and disinfect your utensils before use. It’s a good idea to pack your antiviral medication as you may not be able to get flu meds over the counter. If you are unlucky enough to come down with the flu while travelling, the best treatment is bedrest and fluids. Don’t try to ‘push through’: it will only make things worse, downgrading you from that 4-star resort to a 3-bed hospital ward.

Diarrhoea

This common condition, typically brought on by new food, drink or a dodgy water supply in the country you’re visiting. High-risk destinations include Asia, the Middle East, parts of Africa – but really, you can get it in a fancy five-star restaurant too. It all boils down to contaminated water and food.

To prevent diarrhoea, avoid raw fruit and vegetables, be circumspect about eating street food, and drink bottled water only. In countries that advise against tap water, it is also a good idea to avoid ice in your drinks – as the ice is often not made from filtered water. To prepare for the worst, pack your trusted diarrhoea medication, and book the room with a toilet seat warmer – just in case.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted mainly by mosquitoes. It can lead to serious illness and even death. It’s called “yellow fever” because in some serious cases the skin turns yellow (jaundice).

Avoid this dangerous infection by getting vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and highly effective and immunity occurs within a week in 95% of people. This immunity lasts for a minimum of 10 years. Always check if your destination is a high-risk area and get jabbed in time!

More mosquito madness – malaria is a well-known health issue, especially for us in Africa, and it can also be life-threatening. It’s transmitted to humans through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Once you’re bitten by an infected mosquito, the parasites multiply and begin to destroy your red blood cells. Symptoms include shivering, fever, headaches, vomitting and fatigue.

Unfortunately, there’s no malaria vaccine yet, and the best protection is to not get bitten. Stock up on anti-malarial medication before you leave, lather up on the mosquito repellant and wear long-sleeved clothing. If your accommodation doesn’t include mosquito nets, be sure to pack one to drape over your bed.

Ebola virus

This rare disease is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person, and can cause the infected person to bleed out of multiple orifices. You can also get it from contact with a contaminated object or an infected animal.

If you’re going on a safari trip, or anywhere where you plan on contact with animals (monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas), it’s a good idea to chat to your doctor about your risk. There’s no vaccine for Ebola yet, so take precautions to not handle items that may have been infected. Don’t eat or handle raw or undercooked meat or any bush meat, and make sure you wash your hands regularly.

References

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

This is how to get malaria the easy way

April 20th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Getting Malaria, is easy: just pack away the mosquito net, attend evening braais in short-sleeved shirts – or no shirt – without mosquito repellent. Skip those anti-malaria tabs, or just take them now and again, and leave doors and windows open from sunset to sunrise! The mozzies will treat you like a buffet. Continue reading “This is how to get malaria the easy way”

Things You Need To Know About Malaria

November 5th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

Is there anything worse than being kept up at night by the constant buzzing of a mosquito? You just regard them as a nuisance, right? But they’re actually more dangerous than you may think – they can spread malaria. This’s what you need to know about those pesky mosquitoes. Continue reading “Things You Need To Know About Malaria”