How many people get sick from mosquito bites every year?

Apart from the gnat, the mosquito is quite possibly one of the most irritating insects. Mosquitoes fly from host to host, silently taking your blood from you as you go about your business. Most of the time, you don’t know you’ve been bitten until you begin to itch.
Mosquitoes cause almost 700 million illnesses and close to 1 million deaths in the world every year. There is no data that can tell us how many mosquito bites there are in a year, but it is probably very high. Mosquitoes are a nuisance as well as a disease carrier. Their bite causes a very itchy reaction in our bodies.
What is a mosquito bite?
A mosquito bite is a site where the female mosquito sinks its proboscis, or needle, into your skin. The insect injects saliva into your skin as it drinks your blood. This saliva has proteins and an anticoagulant. This agent keeps your blood from clotting, allowing the mosquito to drink its fill.
As your body reacts to the saliva, you feel an itch. Like most people, you are allergic to the mosquito’s anticoagulant. Your body sends white blood cells to fight the foreign proteins, causing your itch.
Main symptoms
When you’re bit by a mosquito, you rarely feel it because their proboscis is so tiny. Most people experience the following symptoms when they’re bitten:
- Itching in the area of the bite
- A bump that swells and turns red
Together with people with an immune disorder and children, someone that is bitten by a type of mosquito they’ve never been bitten by before may experience these more severe symptoms:
- A low-grade fever
- Hives
- Swollen lymph nodes
- A large red swollen area at the bite
Hives occur when you have an allergic reaction to something, and your body breaks out in red, itchy bumps. They can occur in large or small patches and generally last a day to a few weeks.
Main causes
Mosquito bites are caused by a bite from any of the 200 known mosquito species in the U.S.
Who can get bitten by a mosquito
Anyone may be bitten by a mosquito. Bites typically occur outside, but once a mosquito is in your home it will probably find a way to bite you.
Fertilized mosquito eggs remain dormant until they are activated by water and quickly hatch. This is why if you go outside the day after it rains, you’ll notice more mosquitos than if it was dry. If you live near a large body of water or in a humid climate, the chances are high that you will get bitten by a mosquito.
Mosquitoes love to lay eggs just above the water line in anything that holds water. Certain species of mosquitoes are known to prefer laying eggs in plastic or metal containers. Once these fill with water, the eggs hatch.
Diagnosing mosquito bites
You typically don’t need to see a doctor to know that a mosquito has bitten you. You’ll usually notice an itch well after you’ve been bitten. When you look at it, it’s a red bump.
You might experience an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. If you do, see your doctor. They can test your blood to see if you’ve been infected by one of the diseases that a few of the species carry.
Treatments for mosquito bites
Most of the time, the itchiness from your mosquito bite will go away within a few days. However, if it doesn’t, your doctor can prescribe some topical or oral medications that will help.
Medications
One of the most effective means of reducing the itch caused by a mosquito bite is an antihistamine. Antihistamines work because the body releases histamines to get rid of something that doesn’t belong. Taking an antihistamine prevents these from being released. Your doctor might also give you some hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to help with the itching.
Home treatment
Treating mosquito bites is generally the same at home as it is if you see a doctor. You can purchase antihistamines and calamine lotion over-the-counter. Both can reduce the itchiness you feel from mosquito bites.
Surgery
Unless you have a severe reaction to a mosquito bite that leads to another condition, there should be no need for surgery after a bite. See your healthcare professional immediately if you experience serious symptoms following a bite.
Complications from mosquito bites
Scratching a mosquito bite until it bleeds can cause an infection because it lets bacteria in. Only a few mosquito species carry diseases that will cause health problems in humans. If you’re bitten by one of the species that carry diseases, you can be infected with one of the following:
- Dengue fever
- Malaria
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
- Chikunguya virus, which causes fever and joint pain.
These are all rare diseases in the U.S., but they can be contracted when traveling overseas. If you suspect you have acquired one of them, see a doctor immediately.

SLIDESHOW
Rosacea, Acne, Shingles, Covid-19 Rashes: Common Adult Skin Diseases See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
American Academy of Dermatology Association: "Hives: Overview."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Mosquitos in the United States."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Zika, Mosquitos, and Standing Water."
Mayo Clinic: "Mosquito bites."
Smithsonian Science Education Center: "Why do Mosquito Bites Itch? The Science of Summer."
University of Washington News: "When mosquitoes bite, take antihistamines for relief."
World Mosquito Program: "Mosquito-borne diseases."
Top How Do You Stop Mosquito Bites From Itching Related Articles
Mosquito Repellents
Mosquito bites are itchy, annoying, and can even make you sick. Find out what works (and what doesn't) to protect you from these blood-sucking bugs.Bad Bugs: Identify Insects and Bug Bites
What do bug bites look like? How do you treat bug bites? Why do bug bites burn? See spider bite pictures and learn how to identify bug bites from mosquitoes, bees, bed bugs, wasps, and more. See what their bites & stings look like and how to treat bug bites. For more details, enter a search for the specific insects or bugs as this slideshow is a brief introduction to the topic.Can You Use Toothpaste to Relieve Mosquito Bites?
While some people only react mildly to mosquito bites, others show severe reactions with intense swelling, soreness, or redness in the affected area. Toothpaste is the most accessible home remedy for mosquito bites.How To Tell the Difference Between a Spider Bite and a Mosquito Bite
Learn how tell the difference between a spider bite and a mosquito bite and how to care for each.How Do You Know If You Are Allergic to Mosquito Bites?
Mosquito bite allergies can cause issues if untreated. Learn the signs of a mosquito bite allergy, what causes it, and what you can do to treat it.8 First Aid Kit Essentials for Scrapes, Cuts, Bug Bites, and More
Are you always prepared for a first aid crisis? See which basic first aid items to pack to treat minor scrapes, cuts, and stings when you're on the go.Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites appear as red, itchy rashes, which resolves in a few days. A few mosquitoes act as a vector to spread diseases like Malaria, West Nile virus, Yellow fever, Dengue, Chikungunya, Encephalitis (brain infection), and Zika virus.Insect Sting Allergies
The majority of stinging insects in the United States are from bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and fire ants. Severity of reactions to stings varies greatly. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective.Itching (Pruritus)
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching including infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.Foreign Objects or Insects in the Ear
Objects or insects in the ear can be placed in the ear by patients themselves or an insect crawling in the ear. Earwax can also cause ear problems if Q-tips are overused to clean the ears. Symptoms and signs of an object in the ear are inflammation and sensitivity, redness, or discharge of pus or blood. When to seek medical care for an object or insect in the ear is included in the article information.Skin Rash
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.Summer Skin Quiz
When it comes to summer, there plenty of hazards under the sun! Take the Summer Skin Hazards Quiz and clue in on the dangers to your summer skin!When Should You Worry About an Insect Bite?
Treatment depends on the type of reaction to the bite or sting. A small or mild reaction such as redness and pain may require a local application of ice. Clean the area with soap and water to remove foreign particles.Which Is the Most Effective Mosquito Repellent?
The most effective mosquito repellent is N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), also called diethyltoluamide.