Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites

[Daniel Hernandez 1G]

Why do mosquito bites produce the urge to itch? Is there some sort of chemical interaction occurring beneath the skin that produces itchiness?

[Daniela_Martinez_3B]

I think their saliva triggers a histamine release which is what causes the itchiness.

[305405193]

Does the saliva in mosquitos naturally release histamine or it normally found in their saliva to begin with?

[Kyla Villarama 1E]

It's a histamine response! Their saliva also contains chemicals that prevent coagulation so its mouth doesn't get stuck to your skin.

[705383815]

Do you all think that the chemicals in mosquito spray are harmful enough to justify not using them? Would spraying chemicals all over yourself be better than a bite or two? Curious to know what you all think. Parasites, of course, are also an issue for consideration.

[Leo Naylor 2F]

Interesting question. I generally don't use mosquito spray because of the chemicals in it, but I don't think said chemicals are very dangerous to humans in the amount they're present in bug spray. Also, in areas where mosquitos carry diseases like malaria, mosquito spray is definitely justified and desirable.

[Zoe Staggs 3B]

A mosquito’s saliva contains an anticoagulant, which allows the mosquito to more easily access your blood. Your body recognizes it as a foreign substance and sends histamine to the nerve cells around the bite. This causes an inflammatory reaction. The amount of histamine released per person is variable, as all individuals have different immune sensitivities.