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The upcoming summer season, in addition to beautiful, sunny weather and long days, often means struggling with numerous insects, especially often occurring in warm and humid circumstances. Mosquitoes will definitely be one of them. In addition to the fact that the encounter with them – itchy, unsightly papules – is simply unpleasant for the skin, the sting by miskites also carries the risk of infection with numerous diseases. Such infections are rare, although it cannot be ruled out. What are these diseases? What other diseases can be caused by human contact with mosquitoes?
Insect-borne diseases – close encounter with mosquitoes
As with other insects – and with mosquitoes – types of mosquitoes may be different. Meeting with common mosquito usually ends up in a persistent itch for us, the female mosquito leaves behind a chemical that irritates the skin, resulting in swelling and itching.
In Poland, you can be infected with e.g. heartworm disease, which can occur in humans, although it is most common in dogs. It is caused by a parasite that is most easily found in Southern Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, which is why most cases of the disease occur there. In Poland, it is much more difficult to get such an infection, usually the body’s immune system copes with the fight against this parasite. There is also a variety of the parasite, which is located under the skin and when nested on the outer parts of the skin manifests itself as a small nodule. Adequate diagnosis in this case should end with surgical intervention.
However, it is easiest to develop this condition in dogs – the treatment of the ailment is complicated and at the same time poses a threat to life.
Mosquito-borne diseases – leishmaniasis
to the question Do mosquitoes transmit diseases? In Poland, unfortunately, the answer is yes. One of them is leishmaniasiswhich these insects carry in South America, Africa and Western Asia. And in this case, infection most often occurs through transmission of the disease via dogs. In Poland, such cases are found in people who have been abroad for some time – e.g. while on vacation at the Mediterranean Sea. Infection is manifested by a gray color of the skin, numerous ulcerations.
Other diseases spread by mosquitoes malaria is very common in African countries. This very dangerous ailment can also be brought from tourist trips. It is caused by a specific type of parasite. The infection manifests itself in a very characteristic way – persistent high fever, fits of chills, excessive sweating.
Another disease transmitted by mosquitoes is Dengue fever, equally dangerous, manifested by the occurrence of a hemorrhagic diathesis.
Another one disease caused by mosquitoes is yellow fever, the passage of which may mean damage to the liver and kidneys, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
Mosquitoes – how to defend yourself?
Since close encounters with mosquitoes can mean such a serious risk of contracting a serious disease, the question remains – how to get away from them? Before we reach for chemical mosquito repellents, it is worth thinking about natural protectionthat can be provided, including by planting plants in the house that effectively discourage mosquitoes from staying in their surroundings. These include geraniums, catnip, basil. Mosquito repellent There are also tomatoes, onions, garlic and eating these ingredients in large quantities. In addition, mosquitoes do not like the smell of sweat that is emitted after consuming vitamin B6. Good for mosquitoes there are also essential oils.
When it comes to a mosquito bite, an effective help for itchy redness will be a compress prepared with vinegar or salicylic alcohol. Essential oil and lemon juice are also used for this purpose.