What Is Skeeter Syndrome?

Skeeter syndrome is a particularly intense reaction to a mosquito bite. Symptoms include swelling, soreness, redness, itching, and pain at the bite location. They can start hours and last weeks after the bite.

While skeeter syndrome is an extreme reaction to a bite, it hasn't been classified as an autoimmune disorder and is rarely life-threatening. Read on to learn more about skeeter syndrome, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What Are the Symptoms of Skeeter Syndrome?

Skeeter syndrome includes symptoms such as:

• Changes in skin texture or temperature (e.g., hardness or heat at the site of the bite)
• Itching
• Pain or soreness
• Redness or any other changes in skin color
• Severe swelling
  

Some evidence describes how severe those reactions can be. For example, people may experience a puffy face, eyes swollen shut, and entirely red and swollen limbs. In some of the most extreme cases, mosquito bites can cause bruising and blistering. Some people have also developed a fever, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

Skeeter Syndrome vs. Normal Bite

Skeeter syndrome is very different from a normal reaction to a mosquito bite. A typical reaction will only result in an initial flare of itchy, raised skin. The affected area may progressively harden and get itchier over one to two days.

What Causes It?

Skeeter syndrome is an allergic reaction to the proteins found in the saliva of mosquitos. Male mosquitos do not bite humans, so skeeter syndrome happens due to female mosquitos' bites.

Female mosquitos produce eggs by biting the skin and feeding on blood. They also transfer some of their salivae into the skin in the process. The saliva often causes itchy bumps, which are mosquito bites. People with Skeeter syndrome have more severe reactions to saliva than others.

People with intense reactions tend to develop them within minutes to hours of being bitten. Because people rarely seek treatment for Skeeter syndrome, healthcare providers do not know how many people get it.

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop skeeter syndrome, but some people have a higher risk than others, such as:

• Infants and young children
• Those who previously have not had many mosquito bites
• Those who come into contact with a new mosquito species
• Those with weak immune systems

How Is Skeeter Syndrome Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers can typically diagnose skeeter syndrome by performing a physical exam and asking questions. They may start by looking at the mosquito bite for signs of a severe reaction.

The provider may also ask questions to determine whether you have skeeter syndrome. For instance, they may ask whether you have a history of severe reactions to mosquito bites or if you have recently traveled to a place where there may be different mosquito species.

Skeeter Syndrome Treatments

Treatments for skeeter syndrome might include those for insect bites in general, such as:

• Taking an oral antihistamine
• Applying hydrocortisone cream to the mosquito bite
• Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat any pain or a fever
• Using an ice pack for swelling and itching

Prevention

One of the best ways to prevent skeeter syndrome is to avoid mosquito bites. Steps you can take to prevent mosquito bites include:

• Use insect repellants
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect exposed skin from mosquitos
• Treat clothes using 0.5% permethrin, which is an insecticide
• Use mosquito nets if you travel to a place without air conditioning or if you are sleeping outside
• Empty containers that hold water, like buckets and plant pots, every week
  

Related Conditions

It can be challenging to tell the difference between skeeter syndrome and skin infections like cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection. Both cause redness, swelling, and pain caused by bug bites. 

You may be able to differentiate between skeeter syndrome and skin infections. Skeeter syndrome develops right away, while skin infections generally happen several days after a bite or injury.

Consult a healthcare provider if you develop a fever after a mosquito bite or if the bite worsens. The fever can be a sign of a skin infection, so they'll want to rule it out.

A Quick Review

Skeeter syndrome is an extreme reaction to a mosquito bite. You may develop a blister, severe swelling, redness, or heat at the bite site. Skeeter syndrome is rare and not life-threatening. Most people can treat skeeter syndrome at home with topical creams and antihistamines. 

You may need to get allergy shots if skeeter syndrome happens frequently. In the meantime, one of the best ways to prevent skeeter syndrome is to avoid mosquito bites in the first place.