Reaction to mosquitoe bite?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it possible for a person to have a bad reaction to mosquitoe bites?

We got back from camping over a week ago. While camping, me and my 5 year old got bit up terribly despite all the deet filled repellant we used. We always get bit up bad. Of course, my bites were completely gone in a matter of days.

Hers on the other hand are getting huge! They are still itching her terribly (she hasn't been outside at all to get bit up since getting home, so I know they're not new) and they are getting bigger. And real red.

I'm just wondering if it's possible for people to be allergic to them.

BTW, I've been giving her benedryl by mouth for the itching, but how long must I continue that? I'm thinking of taking her to the peds tomorrow to see if they can do something.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

If I get bite and don't spray myself with Benedryl spray within 2 hours, I will have 50 cent size swelling and itch for 2 weeks. PO Benadryl does not seem to help as much.

Kids at summer camp and my sons all responded well to spray.

I just got back from the doctors. She said it's definentally a reaction to the mosquitoe bites. She said some people are extremely sensitive and get hives in addition to the bites. When Courtney woke up this morning, she was COVERED from neck to toes. She's got a LOT more.

So, she's now on Atarax syrup by mouth and Cutivate cream to put on the rash.

I guess the poor kid just can't be out at night at all. :o

Per the Mayo clinic...this is the normal reaction to a mosquito bite...

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00315

I posted an update. She woke up this morning with a LOT more patches. I thought it could maybe be poision oak/ivy. But the doctor said it's just a really bad reaction to the bites. She also tested my daughter for Strep throat...negative though. My daughter feels fine besides the itching and has never had strep throat, so I didn't think it was that. She said it could possibly be a viral rash on top of the bites, but that she honestly thought it was just a bad reaction to the bites.

Specializes in Intermediate Care.

Sometimes you just can't avoid them skeeters.

I got bitten over 100 times by mosquitos once during a 6H daytime backcountry hike in Wyoming. :angryfire I had DEET spray with me but I swear these were mutant skeeters. I got so PO'ed at one point I tried to shoot bear spray at 'em. :rotfl:

That's on top of the black flies that bit me too.

I don't even want to know what it's like in Alaska during the summer. I hear they are man-eaters up there.

Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Part of the problem is likely that a 5 years old has minimal self-control, so will scratch when itching, worsening the problem. Hope the munchkin is better soon! :)

Specializes in ER/Trauma.
I don't even want to know what it's like in Alaska during the summer. I hear they are man-eaters up there.
I hear they are so big they descend in swarms and carry off horses to be devoured.
Is it possible for a person to have a bad reaction to mosquitoe bites?

We got back from camping over a week ago. While camping, me and my 5 year old got bit up terribly despite all the deet filled repellant we used. We always get bit up bad. Of course, my bites were completely gone in a matter of days.

Hers on the other hand are getting huge! They are still itching her terribly (she hasn't been outside at all to get bit up since getting home, so I know they're not new) and they are getting bigger. And real red.

I'm just wondering if it's possible for people to be allergic to them.

BTW, I've been giving her benedryl by mouth for the itching, but how long must I continue that? I'm thinking of taking her to the peds tomorrow to see if they can do something.

I do think you should take her to the ped-just as a "make sure" kind of thing.

But I do have very bad reactions to mosquito bites-they get darker, and bigger , etc-I am pretty miserable with them. dh says it is because I am extra-sweet, but he's full of the blarney... :)

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