You are relaxing and falling asleep on a beach in Southeast Asia finally starting your dream vacation. However, you have awaken to an unwelcome symphony of itching, redness and swollen bumps that have erupted across your skin. The incessant itching becomes a constant distraction, disrupting your enjoyment of your dream vacation. Is this how your Southeast Asia trip will be like, battling against mosquitoes? But what if there was a way to avoid this nightmare scenario?

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Why are we so concerned with mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are more than just pesky nuisances. These tiny insects possess a remarkable and often dangerous ability. Equipped with a long, needle-like proboscis, they pierce the skin to extract a blood meal^(1,2). It’s not just the blood that poses a threat. As they feed, mosquitoes inject saliva into their host. This saliva not only causes the familiar itching and redness but can also act as a vehicle for deadly diseases. Viruses like dengue, chikungunya, zika, Japanese encephalitis and malaria can hitch a ride on this saliva, spreading rapidly through unsuspecting populations.

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What diseases do mosquitoes transmit?

Dengue Fever⁽³⁾

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in tropical and subtropical regions, often asymptomatic but can cause severe symptoms like high fever, headache, and rash. Severe cases (5%) may lead to life-threatening complications.

Chikungunya: Another Mosquito-Borne Threat⁽⁴⁾

Chikungunya, spread by Aedes mosquitoes, causes sudden fever and severe joint pain in tropical and subtropical regions. While most recover, joint pain may persist for months or years in some cases.

Zika⁽⁵⁾

Zika is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, sexual contact, and during pregnancy. While symptoms are mild or absent, it can cause severe birth defects like microcephaly and neurological complications.

Malaria: A Serious Threat⁽⁶⁾

Malaria, caused by parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, is common in tropical regions and can lead to severe complications like kidney failure, respiratory distress, or death without treatment.

Japanese Encephalitis⁽⁷⁾: A Viral Threat

Japanese Encephalitis, found in rural Asia, is mosquito-borne and often asymptomatic, but severe cases (<1%) can cause neurological complications, with high fatality rates and long-term effects.

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Keeping Mosquitoes at Bay: Prevention Tips⁽⁸⁾?

Repellents are your friend:

Important Note: Always apply sunscreen first, then apply insect repellent.

• DEET: Look for insect repellents containing DEET.
  • Example brands include:
    • US: Off, Cutter, DeepWoods, Sawyer, and Ultra
    • Canada: Off, Great Outdoors, Bens
• Picaridin / Icaridin: Another effective option
  • Example brands include:
    • US: Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, OFF
    • Canada: Care Plus, Piactive, Great Outdoors, Natrapel

Protect Your Clothes:

• Treat your clothing with permethrin (0.5%)
  • Example brands include:
    • US: Sawyer, Repel, and InsectShield.
    • Canada: Liquids or sprays for use to treat clothing is not approved for use⁽¹¹⁾
      • clothing pre-treated with permethrin is available
        • Huntshield, WindRiver, Dakota
• Important Note: Permethrin is for treating clothing, not directly on your skin

Dress Smart: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks, especially during peak mosquito biting times.

Sleep Smart: Sleeping with a Mosquito Net, or air-conditioned area

Time Your Activities – Mosquitoes have peak biting times:

• For Japanese encephalitis, be most vigilant after sunset.
• For diseases like chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika, be extra cautious during dawn and dusk.

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Dealing with Those Pesky Mosquitoes Bites^(9,10)?

Soothe the Itch:

• Wash the bite: Clean the bite area with soap and water.
• Cool it Down: Apply a cold compress (ice pack wrapped in a thin towel) to reduce swelling and itching.
• Over-the-counter relief: Use a non-prescription anti-itch cream containing hydrocortisone.
• Antihistamines: Consider taking oral antihistamines like cetirizine (US: Zyrtec / Canada: Reactine), loratidine (US & Canada: Claritin), desloratidine (US: Clarinex / Canada: Aerius), or fexofenadine (US & Canada: Allegra) to reduce itching.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. This blog may discuss general health topics, but it does not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/impact/fighting-the-worlds-deadliest-animal.html#:~:text=Spreading%20diseases%20like%20malaria%2C%20dengue,more%20people%20than%20any%20other

(2) https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html#:~:text=In%20female%20mosquitoes%2C%20this%20mouth,animal%20and%20sucks%20out%20blood.

(3) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/dengue

(4) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/chikungunya

(5) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/zika

(6) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/malaria

(7) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/japanese-encephalitis

(8) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods

(9) https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/about-mosquito-bites.html

(10) https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/bites/prevent-treat-bug-bites

(11) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/permethrin-treated-clothing.html