Avoid being lunch for SC mosquitoes this summer by taking these steps
One in 10 patients that come into allergist Mark Schecker’s Myrtle Beach office complain about mosquito bites.
While some people aren’t bothered by mosquitoes, others are plagued all summer long with itchy, puffy bumps all over their body.
“We don’t actually know what dictates,” what makes an individual more allergic to mosquito bites, Schecker said. “It probably has something to do with genetics.”
With South Carolina’s abundance of damp, marshy land where mosquitoes like to breed, these pests can run rampant in the Palmetto State during warmer months.
With so many products and home remedies out there, here is what experts advise to avoid and treat mosquito bites.
How to avoid getting bitten, from S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
- Put on insect repellent (DEET is the gold standard). You can spray it on both skin and clothing.
- Try to stay inside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are more active.
- Wear thick, light-colored clothing, as mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing and are said to be attracted to dark colors.
- Avoid perfumes or colognes.
What to do if you get bitten, from Schecker
- Put ice on the bite to reduce itching and swelling. The CDC suggests leaving it there for 10 minutes.
- Hydrocortisone and over the counter anti-itch creams might also help.
- If you’re especially sensitive to mosquito bites, Schecker suggests taking a daily antihistamine to prevent reactions to the bites.
This story was originally published June 19, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
Eleanor Nash
The Sun News