Land mosquitoes are increasing. It is not just an impression but a fact. As reported by theEuropean Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) which highlighted the increasingly extensive circulation of species Aedes albopictus And Aedes aegyptivectors for the transmission of some viruses including chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, zika and West Nile. And unfortunately in 2022 Italy was leading with 723 cases of West Nile infections. However, defending yourself from the annoying insect is possible.
Mosquitoes, the increase in Europe is due to climate change
Mosquitoes are moving further and further north and, especially some species, carry with them the possibility of spreading certain diseases. «Asian tiger mosquitoes are known to carry serious diseases, including dengue fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus and Zika virus. Climate change causes this highly invasive species to thrive in Mediterranean countries» explains Dr. Andrea Giuseppe Di Stefano, dermatologist al GB Mangioni Hospital in Lecco “These insects are expected to establish themselves in Northern Europe in the coming decades. Let’s not forget that, according to the WHO, mosquitoes are the deadliest creature in the world, killing one million people a year through the diseases they transmit».
In fact, it is no coincidence that in 2022 Italy was the country where there was a peak of West Nile cases, 723, followed by Greece with 286.
How to defend yourself from mosquitoes, between natural anti-repellents and… fans
ECDC itself recommends some behaviors to avoid annoying betting. First of all, avoid standing waterwhere the Asian tiger mosquito mainly proliferates, therefore remove the water from the saucers, empty the watered ones, keep the gutters and drains clean. «Then, the prevention center also recommends use light but long-sleeved clothing especially from dusk to dawn, hours in which insects sting more easily». Furthermore, it is better to avoid wearing classic perfumes because they attract insects more, but opt for natural oils.
But how well do chemical or natural mosquito repellents work? «They work but in a limited time. In particular, those based on essential oils, however, their effect is short-lived. For those who want to opt for natural options, in this case lThe most effective oil is coconut oil because, in addition to leaving the skin hydrated, the fatty acids it contains are natural repellents effective against insects, ed it is also very suitable for children. Alternatively, too the essential oils of rosemary, geranium, sage have a repellent action. Chemical repellants have a longer life» explains the expert who also advises «Maybe many don’t know it but a home anti-mosquito remedy is to use fans: by moving the air, the mosquitoes are disoriented so they don’t land on the skin to sting.”
How to behave when you have already been stung?
The mosquito bite looks like a itchy thud, characteristic due to the injection of the insect’s saliva into the skinwhich can also swell if you scratch obsessively.
So it’s better to run for cover: «First of all, it’s fundamental wash the area with soap and water. Then apply a Ice pack for 10 minutes helps reduce swelling and itching. Then a mixture of baking soda and water is rubbed over the area which can help reduce itching. Then an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream is applied to relieve the itching».
The consequences in children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems
In these cases you have to be very careful and prefer sodium bicarbonate and water because the other remedies may have contraindications.
THE chemical repellentsIndeed, they may have one irritant reaction especially on children’s skin, particularly if you are predisposed to allergies, hives and asthma. In these cases, the expert also recommends hydrocortisone which helps relieve the allergic reaction caused by the mosquito’s saliva.
«Among the traditional remedies there is also aloe vera, ideal if already tried, however, because it contains allergens and can cause photosensitive reactions. Ammonia is better than the classic “crocetta sul pomfo”, a very home remedy: making a cross can in fact aggravate the situation and prove the infection of the sting itself. Finally, even people with respiratory or immune problems must pay more attention because the manifestations can be more serious: in these cases I do not recommend the use of topical antihistamines, while systemic antihistamines have their indication as they reduce the trigger of the allergic mechanism » concludes the expert.
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