Mosquitoes not only are annoying, but they also can make you sick.
"Skeeter syndrome" is not just a clever name. It's a description for an allergic reaction to proteins in mosquito saliva that can cause problems, particularly for children, Health Magazine reported.
That red and itchy swelling that can be painful is sometimes mistaken as a secondary bacterial infection caused by scratching and broken skin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms include inflamed skin around the bite shortly after the mosquito bites a person. Other symptoms include fever, soreness and redness around the bite area, and in some cases, even blistering, Health Magazine reported.
Purvi Parikh an allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network, said that Skeeter syndrome victims typically have the same reaction.
"Most people get some type of reaction — a small bump and a little redness – but for some people it's really extreme," Parikh told Health Magazine.
Parikh said people who develop Skeeter syndrome can get relief by using an oral antihistamine, like Benadryl, or by applying an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream directly on the bite. A cold pack or cool, moist cloth also can help, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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