Protect your home, your body, and your kids
Mosquito bites. No big deal, right? Just annoying, really. The buzzing, the itching, the bleeding. A fact of life in warm weather. Except for those who spend the summer with huge, red, swollen welts all over their body, not to mention possible fever. They may be suffering from “Skeeter Syndrome.” For those unlucky enough to have it, it’s no day at the beach.
Skeeter what?
First documented in 1999, Skeeter Syndrome is defined as “mosquito bite-induced large local inflammatory reactions accompanied by fever.” At its most basic, it is an allergic reaction to proteins found in mosquito saliva, which the insect injects into your skin as it draws your blood out. Saliva proteins initiate an immune system reaction that results in the characteristic itching and bumps. Symptoms include many forms of inflammation such as eyes swollen shut, puffy faces, and red, swollen limbs. At its most severe, it also brings on fever, labored breathing, and vomiting.
Skeeter can often look very similar to a standard mosquito-induced skin infection – pain, redness, swelling – and appears immediately after a bite, whereas an infection can take several days to become evident. Those who have Skeeter tend to be more susceptible to infection.
Prevention and treatment
Whether you have Skeeter or not, prevention techniques are much the same – avoid outdoor activities if possible, carry and use bug spray religiously, don’t expose your skin when outdoors, repair any tears in your window or door screens, and make sure your home has adequate mosquito protection. Those with Skeeter are generally advised to carry an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl, and/or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to keep the itching and swelling to a minimum. Cold or hot compress packs can also take the edge off, as can a simple paste made of baking soda and water. In the most extreme cases, your doctor may advise you to consider allergy shots. The good news in all of this is that Skeeter syndrome isn’t life-threatening, and mosquitoes usually aren’t a year-round problem.
Of all the prevention options available to protect your family from Skeeter and other mosquito-borne conditions, an automatic misting system might just be the first line of defense that your property needs. Contact us today for a free, on-site consultation about the benefits.