Skeeter Syndrome

What is skeeter syndrome?

Skeeter syndrome is due to the allergic reaction caused by mosquito bite.  Mosquito saliva contains polypeptides that stimulate mast cells present in the skin.

This reaction is not that common to everyone but the individuals having tendency to develop allergy are mainly affected with this type of syndrome. This is a non-contagious disease.

What causes skeeter syndrome?

Skeeter syndrome is developed due to mosquito bites. Female mosquitoes are fed with human blood as they need it for laying eggs; male mosquitoes suck plant juice for their survival. The species of mosquito responsible for skeeter syndrome is yet unidentified.

Initially, female mosquitoes insert their proboscis (tubular mouth part used for sucking) and puncture the skin and try to draw off blood. The human blood is thicker and so mosquitoes are unable to suck the blood. They mixed the saliva for thinning the blood content for draw off the blood. During this time the polypeptides present in the mosquito’s saliva gets mixed with human blood and produce antigen A vexans and stimulates the mast cells and causes allergic reaction.

This is not usually occurs to everyone, specific population are affected by this type of reaction but exact reasons are still unknown.

Children

Children are susceptible for this type of reaction as their immune system is underdeveloped and they cannot produce specific antibody against the antigen.

Immune- deficient person

Immune-deficient persons like HIV patients may develop this type of reaction as their immunity is not strong enough to evade allergic reaction caused by polypeptide generated antigen.

Naive person

Some countries or places do not have mosquitoes neither the citizens of those places have been previously exposed to mosquito bites. These naive people may react with mosquito bites severely and develop skeeter syndrome.

Increased level of IgE level in blood

The IgE is one type of antibody present in blood. It reacts with antigen and stimulates mast cell which causes allergic inflammatory syndrome. Individuals with high IgE level are prone to have allergic reaction and may develop skeeter syndrome after mosquito biting.

Skeeter Syndrome Symptoms

This is very difficult to determine the skeeter syndrome immediately, as after mosquito bites, red-inflammation is a normal syndrome. In case of skeeter syndrome, the inflammation is quite similar with bee sting. The symptoms may lasts for 7-10 days. After an hour of mosquito biting the following symptoms are initiated for skeeter syndrome:

• Tumour like swelling
• High temperature at the affected site
• Redness
• Irritation or itching
• Pain
• Fever

Sometimes swelling converts to blister formation and some people may also get affected severely and following symptoms may occur

• Breathing difficulty or asthma like symptoms
• Anaphylactic shock

Skeeter Syndrome Treatment

The goal of the treatment for skeeter syndrome is symptomatic management. Symptoms can be managed at home It is advisable to avoid mosquito prone area and during warm or rainy season you should keep some medicine at home for immediate relief from mosquito bites. The list of medication is discussed below:

Anti-Itching Medicaments

Topical application of Benadryl ointment at the affected site gets instant relief from itching. Another option is calamine lotion, the ingredients like zinc oxide and ferric oxide helps to give prompt relief from itching. These products are only for external use, and do not use them in genital organs. These products are not having such side effect list but before you keep these items in home first discuss with doctors/ pharmacist about their side effects or allergic action.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Different Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are available in the pharmacy such as aspirin, helps to control the inflammation and pain.

Another medication is hydrocortisone, this is a steroidal drug. Different topical formulations are available in pharmacy stores, local application on the affected parts controlled inflammation, pain, itching and other associated discomfort.

Anti- Allergic Medications

These medications block histamine release from the stimulated mast cells and control allergic reaction. Those people prone to allergic reaction or have increased IgE level, can take these medications immediately after the biting of mosquito to prevent skeeter syndrome.

Skeeter Syndrome Remedies

Some Natural Remedies are also useful to treat skeeter syndrome

Baking Soda Paste or Bath

Baking soda is a natural substance useful to treat the swelling, itching and other associated discomfort in skeeter syndrome. For preparation of baking soda paste, take one tablespoonful of baking soda and gradually add water and stir it. The consistency of the paste is like a mud and easy to apply in the skin. During stirring you should be careful that paste should not have any gritty particles. Then apply the paste into the affected area and leave till discomfort is not reduced.

You can also apply baking soda in warm water and soak the affected part into it. This is also a useful technique to obtain the benefits.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar has anti-itching property. Pour some vinegar solution into a cotton ball and put that on the affected site and place a tape on cotton ball to restrict it from displacement.

Meat Tenderizer

Meat tenderizer contains papaine, enzymes which can breakdown protein. Application into affected part helps in breakdown of protein present in saliva of the mosquitoes. It prevents development of skeeter syndrome and also prevents severe reactions like anaphylactic shock in meat tenderizer.

The volatile oils obtain from citronella, lemon grass, lavender, eucalyptus and juniper berry plant is useful to repel the mosquitoes. Other than these mosquito repellent cream or ointment are available in the market, apply them before going to mosquitoes porn areas.

Skeeter Syndrome Pictures

References

1. http://allergictomosquitobites.com/skeeter-syndrome-symptoms-treatment-prevention.html
2. http://www.skeetersyndrome.net/
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/basics/treatment/con-20032350
4. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/large-local-reactions-to-mosquito-bites-skeeter-syndrome
5. http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(99)70348-9/fulltext
6. http://www.skeetersyndrome.net/skeeter-syndrome-treatment/