Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreatmentWhen to See a DoctorPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treatment
When to See a Doctor
Prevention
An infected mosquito bite often has an extended area of redness and warmth around it. It may also have red streaks spreading outward from the bite.
This article discusses infected mosquito bites. It explains the signs of an infected mosquito bite, how to treat it, and when to see your healthcare provider.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Symptoms of an Infected Mosquito Bite
A mosquito bite is an itchy bump that occurs after a mosquito feeds on your blood.
The itchy bite is technically an allergic reaction to proteins in the mosquito’s saliva. Nearly everyone is allergic to mosquito bites to some degree. While a small segment of the population has no reaction, a small percentage can experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
Itching and redness from a mosquito bite typically last no longer than four days, though the bump may last up to a week. If symptoms of a bug bite worsen after the first 24 hours or persist longer than four days, it could be infected.
A mosquito bite can become infected when scratched. If the skin breaks, bacteria can enter the skin. Signs of an infected mosquito bite include:
If left untreated, infected bug bites can develop into anabscessor a more serious infection known ascellulitis.
17 Evidence-Based Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Symptoms of an Abscessed Mosquito Bite
An abscess is an infected pocket of pus just under the skin. A mosquito bite can become abscessed if bacteria gets into the bite. Signs of an abscessed mosquito bite include:
In some cases, an abscess can cause body-wide symptoms including fever and chills. If you have signs of an abscessed bug bite, see your healthcare provider.
Signs of Cellulitis From a Bug Bite
Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection of the skin that can occur if a mosquito bite becomes infected. Symptoms of cellulitis include:
If left untreated, cellulitis can spread and cause serious health problems. If you have symptoms of cellulitis, see your healthcare provider.
How Can I Treat an Infected Mosquito Bite?
If you suspect a mosquito bite is infected, you’ll want to see a healthcare provider for treatment. Before you go, you can clean the area with soap and water. You can use calamine lotion and ice to relieve symptoms.
You should also draw a ring around the outer border of the affected area so you can tell if it spreads. If the redness and swelling begins to extend beyond the line, contact your healthcare provider.
Infected mosquito bites are often treated with oral antibiotics. More serious infections may require IV antibiotics.
If you develop an abscessed mosquito bite, applying a warm compress can ease the pain and help it drain. Your healthcare provider may need to drain the abscess to remove the infection.
How to Stop the Itch
Treating the itch can helpprevent mosquito bite infections. Here’s how to relieve bug bite symptoms:
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Preventing Mosquito Bites
In the case of mosquitoes, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. But since mosquitoes are more common in warmer seasons when you want to spend time outdoors, there are some precautions you can take:
9 Reasons Mosquitoes Are Attracted to You
A Word From Verywell
—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite symptoms and treatment.Singh S, Mann B.Insect bite reactions.Indian Journal Of Dermatology, Venereology, And Leprology.2013;79(2):151. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.107629Seattle Children’s Hospital.Mosquito bite.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cellulitis: all you need to know.Fostini A, Golpanian R, Rosen J, Xue R, Yosipovitch G.Beat the bite.Itch. 2019;4(1):e19. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000019Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevent mosquito bites.Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Foundation.Mosquito-borne diseases from travel.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite prevention: how to protect against mosquito bites.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite symptoms and treatment.Singh S, Mann B.Insect bite reactions.Indian Journal Of Dermatology, Venereology, And Leprology.2013;79(2):151. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.107629Seattle Children’s Hospital.Mosquito bite.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cellulitis: all you need to know.Fostini A, Golpanian R, Rosen J, Xue R, Yosipovitch G.Beat the bite.Itch. 2019;4(1):e19. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000019Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevent mosquito bites.Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Foundation.Mosquito-borne diseases from travel.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite prevention: how to protect against mosquito bites.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite symptoms and treatment.Singh S, Mann B.Insect bite reactions.Indian Journal Of Dermatology, Venereology, And Leprology.2013;79(2):151. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.107629Seattle Children’s Hospital.Mosquito bite.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cellulitis: all you need to know.Fostini A, Golpanian R, Rosen J, Xue R, Yosipovitch G.Beat the bite.Itch. 2019;4(1):e19. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000019Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevent mosquito bites.Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Foundation.Mosquito-borne diseases from travel.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite prevention: how to protect against mosquito bites.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite symptoms and treatment.
Singh S, Mann B.Insect bite reactions.Indian Journal Of Dermatology, Venereology, And Leprology.2013;79(2):151. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.107629
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Mosquito bite.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Skin abscess.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cellulitis: all you need to know.
Fostini A, Golpanian R, Rosen J, Xue R, Yosipovitch G.Beat the bite.Itch. 2019;4(1):e19. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000019
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevent mosquito bites.
Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Foundation.Mosquito-borne diseases from travel.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mosquito bite prevention: how to protect against mosquito bites.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
