Skeeter syndrome is an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. Symptoms include swelling, soreness, redness, itching, and pain at the bite location. This reaction can start minutes after the bite and last weeks. Skeeter syndrome is not an autoimmune disorder and is rarely life-threatening. You can typically treat it at home as you would mosquito bites.
Skeeter syndrome causes symptoms like:
- Changes in skin texture or temperature (e.g., hardness or heat at the site of the bite)
- Itching
- Pain or soreness
- Redness or any other changes in skin color
- Severe swelling
Some people may also experience a puffy face, eyes swollen shut, and entirely red and swollen limbs. In some of the most extreme cases, mosquito bites can cause bruising and blistering. Others have developed a fever, vomiting, or trouble breathing.
Skeeter syndrome is an allergic reaction to the proteins found in the saliva of mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes bite the skin and feed on blood to produce eggs. They also transfer some of their saliva into the skin in the process. This often causes itchy bumps, or mosquito bites.
People with skeeter syndrome have more severe reactions to saliva than others. They tend to develop symptoms within minutes to hours of being bitten. People rarely seek treatment for skeeter syndrome, so it’s unclear how many people get it.
Fun fact: Male mosquitoes do not bite humans, so skeeter syndrome happens due to female mosquitoes’ bites.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Anyone can develop skeeter syndrome. Certain risk factors can increase your likelihood, such as:
- Age (e.g., infants and young children)
- Exposure to a new mosquito species
- Limited history of mosquito bites
- Weak immune system
Healthcare providers can typically diagnose skeeter syndrome with a physical exam. A doctor may:
- Look at the mosquito bite for signs of a severe reaction
- Ask questions about your health history and symptoms
- Ask if you have a history of severe reactions to mosquito bites or have recently traveled to a place with different mosquito species
Treatment for skeeter syndrome might look the same as that for insect bites:
- Apply hydrocortisone cream to the mosquito bite.
- Opt for acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat any pain or fever.
- Take an oral antihistamine to reduce itching.
- Use an ice pack for swelling and itching.
One of the best ways to prevent skeeter syndrome is to avoid mosquito bites. Here are a few tips:
- Apply insect repellents.
- Empty containers that hold water, like buckets and plant pots, every week.
- Treat clothes using 0.5% permethrin, which is an insecticide.
- Use mosquito nets if you travel to a place without air conditioning or if you are sleeping outside.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect exposed skin from mosquitoes.
Skeeter syndrome may cause complications like:
- Cellulitis, or a bacterial skin infection. Symptoms include a fever, redness, swelling, and pain. Too much itching or scratching can increase your risk of skin infections.
- Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing or swallowing, hives, nausea, or vomiting.
Consult a doctor if you develop symptoms that do not get better or worsen.
Skeeter syndrome is an extreme reaction to a mosquito bite. You may develop a blister, severe swelling, redness, or heat at the bite site.
Skeeter syndrome is rare and not life-threatening. Most people can treat symptoms at home with topical creams and antihistamines. You may need to get allergy shots if you experience skeeter syndrome frequently. In the meantime, one of the best ways to prevent this reaction is to avoid mosquito bites in the first place.
