Recognizing a tiger mosquito bite – and getting rid of itching

A tiger mosquito bite is indistinguishable from that of a native mosquito. However, the possible consequences are slightly different. Find out here which symptoms you should look out for and how to protect yourself from a sting.

A tiger mosquito bite is rare in Germany – still. While tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) only occurred as single specimens in Germany ten years ago, according to the Federal Environment Agency, larger populations are now also appearing in summer. The warmer temperatures as a result of climate change favor their spread in this country. Native to Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito arrived in Europe on ships and planes, and travel and intensive trade in goods helped it spread rapidly. In the meantime, it has mainly been sighted in southern countries such as Spain and France, and it can be found everywhere in Italy. In Germany it occurs in the southwest of the country, experts expect it to spread further.

A tiger mosquito bite can be dangerous. The tiger mosquito can transmit various pathogens, including roundworms or Zika and dengue viruses. In Germany, the tiger mosquito has not yet transmitted any pathogens, but the Federal Environment Agency already assumes that the growing population poses a “potential risk to human health in Germany”.

Only females bite humans. In order to transmit the pathogens, a female mosquito must first have bitten an already infected human. The insects themselves do not carry the viruses and parasites.

Avoid tiger mosquito bite

The tiger mosquito is an aggressive mosquito because, unlike the mosquitoes native to Germany, it also bites during the day. Her preferred hosts are mammals, particularly humans, to whose skin odor she is strongly attracted. You should therefore take special care to protect yourself from a bite in the distribution areas of tiger mosquitoes.

You can do it like this:

• Recognizing the tiger mosquito: The tiger mosquito is a small, black and white patterned mosquito. It has five white stripes on the hind legs, the last leg joint is white. The tiger mosquito has white stripes on its head and back.
• The tiger mosquito is attracted to dark clothes, so wear light ones.
• Stay in air-conditioned rooms. The tiger mosquito does not like the cold.
• Mosquito nets offer protection at night, and you can also install such insect nets in windows.
• Special clothing is available in specialized stores that already has insecticides woven into it. However, these are harmful to the environment and nature. So use with caution or in special circumstances, such as when you’re pregnant and live in a distribution area.
• If you are going to be outside for a long time, make sure to cover your whole body with clothing, including your neck and neck.

Here you will find more tips on how to drive away annoying mosquitoes and wasps without poison: Drive away insects: These home remedies help against mosquitoes, wasps and Co.

Recognizing and treating a tiger mosquito bite

A tiger mosquito bite is basically no different from that of a native mosquito. The protein in the mosquito’s saliva releases the messenger substance histamine in our body. This causes the affected area of ​​skin to swell, become red and itchy. The bite is no more painful than that of a native mosquito.

You can treat the bite just like any other mosquito bite.

• Cold can help reduce swelling. Put ice cubes or cold compresses on the sting.

• Ointments containing an antihistamine relieve itching.
• Heat can also help: a warm spoon or electric bite healer destroys the mosquito proteins and prevents itching.
• There are proven home remedies that can relieve the itching. Plants such as aloe vera and plantain are known for their cooling and anti-inflammatory effects. To do this, place the leaves of the plants directly on the bite. Plantain is a native plant that will help if you are bitten by a mosquito while walking in a forest. For more home remedies, read the following article: Treating mosquito bites: natural home remedies for annoying mosquitoes.

A tiger mosquito bite heals on its own. However, if you notice flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, a severe headache or exhaustion after a few days, let a specialist examine you. These symptoms may be harmless, but in some cases they can be a sign of diseases such as dengue fever or West Nile fever.

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