# Mosquito bite poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893 "2009-07-13T19:31:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/21 "2009-07-14T11:17:40Z")
Itching goes away in 2-3 days, marks disappear around 5 days, 7 days or so if I scratch them open. South Central Pennsylvania South Central Pennsylvania ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/22 "2009-07-14T14:30:18Z")
I rarely feel them at all. In fact, I let them get into me so I can kill them easily. Born in Philadelphia. Lived for the last 41 years in Montreal. Let me add that growing up, I got bit and the welts probably took several days to go away. Then for three years I worked in a lab that loads of chemicals in the air. During the time I worked there, I never got bit. After I left, I discovered to my surprise that, although I would occasionally get bit, I got no welts and never itched. This has been now over 50 years. ---
**Author:** ![spoike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@spoike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spoike)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/23 "2009-07-14T14:46:28Z")
**How does it take mosquito bites to go away?** Depending on how large they are, the swelling and itchiness lasts about a week. The marks left behind last longer. In fact, I have one mark that has been there for 3 and a half weeks now. For the first two or three days (longer for large bites), the swelling is itchy beyond belief, and is often painful, as well. I generally need regular doses of Benadryl, especially at night. **Where were you born?** Calgary, Alberta, and I still live there. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/24 "2009-07-14T16:06:01Z")
**How does it take mosquito bites to go away?** Anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, depending on if I’ve scratched at them. They always itch like crazy, but if I can manage to leave them alone as much as possible they’re usually only around for a couple of weeks. The worst itching is in the first week. They stop itching faster if I scratch them 'til they bleed, but then the bites stay around for longer. **Where were you born?** Central NYS **Where are you now? If different from your birth place, how long have you been there?** Massachusetts. Have lived here 16 years. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/25 "2009-07-14T16:26:58Z")
I walk my dogs in the park twice a day. They are beagles and are not interested in staying on the paths. We root through weeds and run through trees. This year the mosquitoes are horrible. I get bit by a swarm at times. I smack them on the dogs too. After a half hour or so, all the signs, including itching, are gone. I have come home with a dozen lumps on the back of my neck. It feels like petting a alligator when i rub my neck. A couple minutes later, all gone. I wonder if you passed out in the middle of them, how much harm could they do/?They couldn’t kill you, could they? I am in Michigan and we have had steady rains and the breeding puddles did their job well this year. ---
**Author:** ![hellpaso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/26 "2009-07-14T20:28:11Z")
How long bites last? at least a week or two Where was I born? Memphis, TN Where do I live now? South Texas for 15 years ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/27 "2009-07-14T20:53:00Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I wonder if you passed out in the middle of them, how much harm could they do/?They couldn’t kill you, could they? The only way I know they could kill you is to give you malaria, and that is usually survivable. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/28 "2009-07-15T03:38:05Z")
I’m another one that has been bitten by mosquitoes, but my skin has never shown a reaction. (My mother says that the swelling and itching is a histamine reaction to the mosquito’s saliva, and some people do not get the reaction.) _laughs and points at all the mosquito sufferers_ ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/29 "2009-07-15T05:54:22Z")
Several days, up to a week. New York ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/30 "2009-07-15T06:16:12Z")
Generally about 30 minutes to an hour. Initially there’s a small lump, a little redness, and some annoying itching. After maybe fifteen minutes I stop noticing the itching, and not much longer after that the swelling is gone too. I was born near Seattle, Washington, and I am currently living in that area. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/31 "2009-07-15T08:06:19Z")
I am one of the mosquito’s favourite meals. Bites last from one hour if I’m lucky and don’t touch it - to 4 or 5 days with infection. I find the bites insanely itchy. Currently live in SW Riverina NSW Australia Born N Victoria Australia ---
**Author:** ![wizard\_of\_aus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecc23a/32.png) [@wizard\_of\_aus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wizard_of_aus)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/32 "2009-07-15T08:37:25Z")
… mate when an Aussie mossie bites you need a blood transfusion … _grin_ … so as long as it takes to get out of hospital … Newcastle, NSW, Aus … after moving all over I am back where I grew up … as above … WoAus spraying on the repellant ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/33 "2009-07-15T08:54:18Z")
20-30 mins Los Angeles Honolulu - 16 years ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/34 "2009-07-15T11:08:01Z")
About a week for the mark to fade, 4-5 days for it to stop itching MA NH - 11 years ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/35 "2009-07-15T15:04:18Z")
How does it take mosquito bites to go away? Maybe an hour. When I was a kid, they lasted two days or so. It’s gotten to the point now that I don’t even notice them after a minute or two. Where were you born? Ohio Where are you now? Texas ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/36 "2009-07-15T15:14:53Z")
2 - 3 days western Pennsylvania western Pennsylvania ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/37 "2009-07-15T15:26:39Z")
**How does it take mosquito bites to go away?** Immediately. I feel the tingle of their bite, but after that I feel no effects - no itching, no bumps, etc. I used to get the itchy bumps, but sometime around high school mosquito bites stopped having an effect on me. My father is also not allergic to them. **Where were you born?** Central/Northern Minnesota **Where are you now? If different from your birth place, how long have you been there?** Chicago. About 7 years. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/38 "2009-07-15T16:35:09Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I walk my dogs in the park twice a day. They are beagles and are not interested in staying on the paths. We root through weeds and run through trees. This year the mosquitoes are horrible. I get bit by a swarm at times. I smack them on the dogs too. After a half hour or so, all the signs, including itching, are gone. I have come home with a dozen lumps on the back of my neck. It feels like petting a alligator when i rub my neck. A couple minutes later, all gone. > I wonder if you passed out in the middle of them, how much harm could they do/?They couldn’t kill you, could they? I am in Michigan and we have had steady rains and the breeding puddles did their job well this year. I also do not get poison ivy. I can walk in it and never get a reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/39 "2009-07-15T16:44:25Z")
I would say about a week. I grew up in RI, but now live in San Diego, and I never get bit here… Funny story: My dad is an EMT in RI, and one day he was on an ambulance called to the home of a girl covered in mosquito bites. She was from Ireland and had apparently never been bitten before. She thought she had some horrible disease… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893/40 "2009-07-15T18:45:28Z")
There seems to be no relation between moving to different mosquitoes and reaction, so let’s try [how often you are bitten.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11342903#post11342903) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bite-poll/502893.md?page=3)