Itching after an insect bite is due to the saliva injected by the insect during the sting. This saliva contains irritating substances that trigger an immune response in the body, causing the itching.
When an insect bites us, it often injects some of its saliva under our skin. This small intrusion immediately alerts our immune system, which views this foreign substance as a potential threat. As a result, our body sends special immune cells called mast cells to the site of the bite. These then release histamine and other chemical substances. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate, making the bitten area red, swollen, and quite irritating. It is this reaction that causes the unpleasant sensation of itching. It’s annoying, but it’s simply our body trying to protect itself against what it perceives as an attack!
When an insect bites you, it often injects saliva under your skin. This saliva is full of chemical substances that your body reacts to quickly, notably histamine. This histamine, released by your own body to combat the intruder, makes your blood vessels permeable. The result: redness, swelling, and especially that pesky itching. Other substances also come into play, such as serotonin and certain enzymes, which further boost your irresistible urge to scratch.
When an insect bites us, specialized nerve endings located under our skin detect the irritating substances released in the bite. These small nerve sensors, called sensory nerve fibers, send the signal directly to our spinal cord and then to the brain, more specifically to areas responsible for the perception of unpleasant sensations. The brain then processes this alert and triggers the itch to warn us that something is irritating our skin and to encourage us to scratch. The problem is that by scratching, we further activate these same nerve fibers, amplifying the irritating signal sent to the brain and increasing the uncontrollable urge to scratch: a true neurological vicious circle.
Itching after a bite varies from person to person. First of all, your immune system plays an important role: some people react very strongly, while others hardly react at all. Age also matters, as children often have more intense reactions compared to adults. Your emotional state can also amplify the sensation: anxiety or stress often intensify itching. Finally, the location of the bite also greatly influences your discomfort: a bite behind the knee or around the ankles usually itches more than elsewhere, due to the thinness of your skin in those areas, which has more nerve endings sensitive to itching.
First useful reflex: place an ice cube wrapped in a clean cloth directly on the bite. The cold quickly soothes the itching and limits swelling and inflammation. You can also apply an antihistamine cream or one containing hydrocortisone to calm your immune reaction and quickly relieve those irritating sensations that are hard to ignore. If you prefer a natural solution, products like aloe vera gel or a drop of lavender essential oil usually do the job very well. Also, try to avoid scratching the bite as much as you can, even though it’s frankly tempting—it's easier said than done, we all know that, but it will help prevent the problem from worsening.
Some studies show that people with blood type O are on average twice as attractive to mosquitoes as those with blood types A or B.
The sensation of itching is scientifically called pruritus. It activates specific neural circuits that are distinct from those of pain, although they may overlap.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide (CO₂) we exhale, which explains why people who breathe faster or engage in intense physical activity are often bitten more.
Applying cold (for example, an ice cube in a clean cloth) to an insect bite can quickly relieve itching by reducing inflammation and dampening the nerve transmission responsible for the itch sensation.
A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or a widespread rash. In such cases, it is essential to contact emergency services immediately.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, scratching can temporarily relieve the itch, but it irritates the skin, intensifies the inflammatory response, and releases more chemicals responsible for itching, thereby prolonging and intensifying the discomfort."
Various natural solutions are known to relieve itching, such as aloe vera, essential oils based on peppermint or lavender, and the application of cold (ice packs) to reduce inflammation and soothe itching.
You should consult a healthcare professional if your insect bite leads to an unusual reaction, such as significant swelling, intense pain, signs of infection (abnormal warmth, pus drainage), or in the case of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing.
Mosquitoes are attracted by several factors such as body odor, carbon dioxide produced by breathing, and body heat. Some people emit more of these attractive chemical signals, which explains why they get bitten more often than others.
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