WHENEVER YOU SPEND any time outdoors, whether it’s camping, hiking, or just hanging out, you might find yourself covered in red, itchy welts. Mosquitoes and other insects seem to gravitate towards some people, and their bites can cause quite a reaction. “Bug bites are the textbook explanation of an inflammatory response,” says Jesus Lizarzaburu, M.D., a family physician in Yorktown, Virginia. “Once a person is bitten by a bug, that bite causes an inflammatory reaction which is followed by swelling, redness, and itchiness.” Bug bites can sometimes be preventable by spraying on insect repellent before heading outside, wearing long sleeves, and trying to avoid the moist, grassy areas where bugs like to hang out. Still, you might still get bitten. The truth is some people are more susceptible to bug bites than others, and they may have a stronger reaction when they get bitten. There could be several reasons why. Genetics and allergies might play a role in how you respond to bug bites, so do certain blood types, skin chemicals, scents, body temperature, and other factors, says Evelyn Darius, M.D., a family physician with PlushCare. Getting bug bites can be a nuisance, but they’re usually not serious—however, they could be if you have an allergic reaction. Most of the time, you can treat them easily. There are several home remedies for bug bites and over-the-counter products that will help stop the itch and reduce the swelling and inflammation. Here’s an overview of why bug bites are so itchy for… Click below to read the full story from Men’s Health
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9 Ways to Treat Itchy Bug Bites, According to Doctors
