Mosquitoes cause more human misfortune than any other organism. A mosquito’s saliva contains a drug that acts like an anesthetic. An anesthetic is a substance that induces insensitivity to pain. Mosquito bites can cause severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva – this is what causes the red bump and itching. 

 A mosquito’s saliva can transmit many diseases, but there are some ways to deter them. The smell of lavender and peppermint keep mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes love the taste of blood type O and the flavor of certain microbes on the skin.

Widely known diseases caused by mosquitoes are malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever. Most of these diseases have no resistance against them. To treat one of these diseases such as chikungunya fever, you have to get plenty of rest, medicines, and fluids.

Malaria is also one of the diseases that has greatly affected populations. Mosquito-borne diseases quotes, “In 2015 malaria alone caused 438,000 deaths.”

Mosquitos act quick. With her proboscis (mosquito’s nose) underneath your skin, a female mosquito searches for a blood vessel. When she finds one, she releases saliva into the wound. That’s why you usually see a mosquito bite as a red bump on your skin. When the blood vessels swell, they also cause nerves in the area to become irritated. This response is a lot like any other allergy response. 

In the article, “Why do Mosquito Bites Itch?,” it states, “Mosquitoes are most active during the hours just before and after sunrise and sundown. During these times, use bug spray and wear long clothing.” Mosquitos aren’t always dangerous, but they can be and should be always avoided.