# Mosquito bites and...allergies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 13, 2000, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193 "2000-06-13T02:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193/1 "2000-06-13T02:59:52Z")
How can you tell if you are allergic to mosquito bites? I think I am. My bites swell to abnormal sizes, itch worse than usual, and usually are varying shades of red. The only good thing is it usually only lasts for about 2-4 days. Should I be concerned? Should I visit a real doctor? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193/2 "2000-06-13T03:10:37Z")
If you’ve reacted that way since you were kid, I’d say don’t worry. If you’ve only recently begun to respond in that manner, and if you’re well into adulthood, then a CBC (complete blood count) wouldn’t be unreasonable. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193/3 "2000-06-13T04:46:55Z")
Going to see an allergist or other physician wouldn’t be a bad idea. I have found a few sites that might be of interest to you. [Could I be allergic to mosquito bites](http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9810/htm/mosquito.html) [Using bleach on bites](http://www.leevalley.com/correspo/july98/insbite2.htm) (Sounds kind of fishy to me) [Dr. Greene](http://www.drgreene.com/970811.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilgore_Trout_1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193/4 "2000-06-13T05:09:09Z")
i always thought that any reaction to a mosquito bite was an allergic reaction. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193/5 "2000-06-13T05:29:55Z")
I’ve found that if you scratch them and sweat gets into it it will swell up and itch more. I usually try to wash up and put a stop itch lotion on it. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2000, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquito-bites-and-allergies/22193/6 "2000-06-13T05:33:52Z")
I have only started reacting this way in the past year. I mean, mosquito bites have never been fun for me, they’ve always grown a bit larger than every one elses, but now it’s BAD. My latest one is about 2 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 wide, well my latest ONES > [@](#): > > To treat a mosquito bite, apply a cold, wet cloth to the > bite to reduce swelling. Hydrocortisone or calamine > lotion may help reduce itching and inflammation. This is exactly what I’ve been doing, so I guess I’ll be OK. Thank you again for the links!