Mosquitoes and Skeeter Syndrome
/Growing up, I was a magnet for blood sucking insects. I would run around in my neighborhood all day and at the end of the night, I would come inside covered in bug bites. Years later, in college, I volunteered to help collect field data for my university. At the end of the day, I would come inside and you guessed it, I was covered in bug bites. Now, in the midst/end of summer, the mosquitoes are out and about in Winnebago County. While we might be annoyed by the pesky little insects, it is important to be aware of the different types of reactions we can have to their bite. In this blog, we are going to focus on the severe reaction: Skeeter Syndrome!
What is Skeeter Syndrome?
According to WebMD, Skeeter Syndrome is described as a strong reaction to a mosquito bite. Instead of the standard small, slightly itchy bump that generally accompanies a bite, people who have Skeeter Syndrome develop a hard, itchy, red/brown bump. Along with this, mosquito bites can cause a large area of swelling, redness and itching or pain. Other symptoms can include fever, hives, swollen lymph nodes, peeling skin, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.
What causes Skeeter Syndrome?
Skeeter Syndrome (and mosquito bites in general) are a reaction to the polypeptides (essentially proteins) found in the saliva of female mosquitoes. Different species of mosquitoes will have different polypeptides in their saliva, so it is possible that you will react poorly to one species, but have little reaction to the next. Typically, the more exposed you are to those polypeptides (through years of getting bit), the more your body will build up a resistance and the less you will react.
Who can get Skeeter Syndrome?
Luckily, Skeeter Syndrome is thought to be rare, but anyone can have it. Since kids and babies have had limited exposure to mosquito bits compared to adults, they are more likely to have Skeeter Syndrome. As an adult, you are most likely to develop Skeeter Syndrome if you are exploring a new area with new mosquitoes. People that are immunocompromised are more at risk of Skeeter Syndrome as well.
How can I limit my risk of mosquito bites?
There are many ways to reduce your risk of mosquito bites.
1) Use a form of EPA registered insect repellent
DEET: You can purchase DEET in a wide variety of concentrations, anywhere from 1% to 100%. The higher the concentration, the longer the repellant should work. According to the CDC, DEET concentrations over 50% do not offer more protection than others.
Picaridin: While picaridin is a lesser known repellent, it is thought to be equally as effective if not more effective than DEET. Maximum protection comes from using bug spray with 20% concentration.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: If you are looking for a more natural insect repellent, this would be a great alternative! Some studies have shown that it can be as effective as DEET! Oil of lemon eucalyptus comes from a different part of the plant than lemon eucalyptus essential oil, so make sure you pick up the right thing!
2) Wear insect repellent treated clothing
You can wear clothing that has been treated with Permethrin, an insect repellent that is EPA registered. Stores that sell outdoor gear, such as REI, LL Bean, and others, often sell clothing treated with Permethrin. Now, if you don’t have the budget to purchase a whole new mosquito repellent wardrobe, you can purchase permethrin and treat your own clothing, but permethrin is toxic to cats, so keep your critters away from your clothing while you treat it. Some companies even offer to treat your clothing for you. I have never tried to use this service, so if you do and have a good experience, please let me know!
Can’t decide which repellant is best for you? Here is a helpful link:
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
3) Wear clothing that covers your skin
Wearing long pants, boots, and long sleeve shirts in summer might sound funny, but they can help to reduce mosquito bites. To increase air circulation, you can purchase these items with thin, breathable, moisture wicking fabrics! A hat with a mosquito net is always a good option as well!
4) Limit standing water around your home
Avoid leaving containers outside in the rain, such as dog bowls, buckets, or watering cans when not in use. If they do fill with water, empty them out! Dumping and reducing standing water once a week in permanent features, such as a bird bathes is always a good idea too!
I think I have Skeeter Syndrome! Should I call my doctor?
If you believe you have Skeeter Syndrome, you should contact your doctor or health care provider so they can assess your symptoms. From there, they will develop a plan for treatment. If you are experiencing anaphylaxis, seek out medical care immediately.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional and recommend contacting your healthcare provider with any concerns you may have about your reaction to mosquito bites.
Could we just eradicate mosquitoes?
This topic is often debated among scientists. Some argue that mosquitoes have an important role in the environment. Not only are they a food source for larger organisms, but they also can act as a pollinator for plants. One of these plants, cacao, is what gives us chocolate, so no mosquitoes would mean less/no chocolate! Other scientists argue that while mosquitoes are both pollinators and a food source, other species would take their role (fill their niche) quickly if they were to disappear. Eradicating them would also reduce mosquito-spread diseases, such as malaria, saving many human lives!
If you are interested in learning more about these arguments, check out the articles here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/466432a
https://blog.nwf.org/2020/09/what-purpose-do-mosquitoes-serve/
Helpful Links/ Information Viewed
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/what-is-skeeter-syndrome#:~:text=about%20this%20condition.-,What%20Is%20Skeeter%20Syndrome%3F,it%20may%20last%20for%20weeks.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23289-skeeter-syndrome
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375314
https://www.healthline.com/health/skeeter-syndrome-autoimmune
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325405
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/skin-applied-repellent-ingredients
https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/toolkit/deet.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/health/oil-of-lemon-eucalyptus#ole-vs-essential-oil
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/06/30/623865454/a-guide-to-mosquito-repellents-from-deet-to-gin-and-tonic
https://www.nature.com/articles/466432a
https://blog.nwf.org/2020/09/what-purpose-do-mosquitoes-serve/