Have you ever wondered, can mosquito bite your scalp? Especially when your head itches a bit? The itching could be due to scalp acne, psoriasis or any other reason. But a unforseen reason could be due to mosquito bites.
I’ve often thought (or rather wished) that the itching on my head was due to mosquito bites as the alternatives were dandruff or head life.
And neither of those things is a good sign, especially if you want to keep your scalp healthy and your hair looking good.
Can Mosquito Bite Your Scalp
So can a mosquito bite your scalp? The simple answer is yes. A mosquito can bite any inch of your skin… as long as it’s exposed. So if you’ve got a head full of thick hair, it’s very unlikely the mosquito will get a chance to have a go at your head. But if you’re hair is thinning or if you’ve got a bald pate, then definitely, a mosquito can bite your scalp.
Can You Get Bug Bites On Your Scalp
Bug bites are a bit different from mosquito bites. For those pesky little bugs to bite you on your scalp, you don’t need to be bald.
If you live in heavily wooded areas or have gone camping, there are certain bugs that might find their way into your hair and leave a bite or two.
Again, this is extremely unlikely unless you have pets that are not well-groomed and who can pick up ticks or bugs.
However, there is one type of bug that is very commonly present in hair – the dreaded head lice!
If you find your scalp itching or see certain tell-tale bumps or rashes on your scalp, it might be symptoms of head lice.
Why Does A Mosquito Bite Itch
Ever wondered why you have to suffer from itching after being stung by these awful mosquitoes. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?
Well, we’ve got our own immune system to blame for that!
When a mosquito stings us, it uses a body part called a proboscis to draw up blood from our vessels into their system. Just like a syringe!
But the thing about human blood is that it clots very easily, that’s how humans survive large cuts, surgeries, and even childbirth.
Great for us, but not so good for the mosquito! So this pesky creature releases anti-coagulants into our bloodstream to keep that blood supply going.
Our bodies however consider this mosquito-released anti-coagulant secretion a dangerous, foreign substance. (And I don’t blame it!)
So out immune system releases histamines in response. This compound triggers inflammatory reactions, causing itching, redness, and the tiny mosquito bite-bump you see on your skin.
Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted To Your Scalp
I’ve often noticed that mosquitos circle around my scalp whenever I’m outside in a wooded area or a place where these creatures have free reign.
If you’re experiencing something similar, don’t worry you’re not alone. And you’re not cursed either!
It all comes down to biology. The mosquitoes are there because they can sense your breathing.
Yup! Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide. So whenever we respire, taking in oxygen and converting it to carbon dioxide, we give these creatures a signal that we are ready to be bitten.
How To Treat Mosquito Bites On Scalp or Otherwise
Let’s say you do have a mosquito bite on your scalp, here are some easy ways to treat the problem.
The over-the-counter remedies I’ve suggested below aren’t just for calming down the itching and inflammation for mosquito bites on the scalp, it helps with bites on other exposed skin as well.
Anti-Histamines
The redness or inflammation resulting from the mosquito bite is usually an immune-system response.
Your body takes offense against a mosquito bite as it’s a foreign entity and releases histamines that cause a reaction.
So taking anti-histamines that are available OTC such as Benadryl can be used to relieve mosquito bites.
Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone is a type of steroid medicine that relieves the symptoms of aggravated mosquito bites.
You can find them in forms or creams or lotions available at a drugstore or on amazon.
Calamine Lotion
A lot of women have used calamine lotion to control oily skin and acne, but it’s also good to relieve the effects of mosquito bites.
This lotion has a cooling effect on your skin and can be used to reduce itching, redness, inflammation, and even minor cuts that result from scratching.
Apart from these quick remedies for mosquito bites, you can also use a damp cloth or cold compress against the area to relieve pain or redness immediately.
Easy Precautions Against Mosquito Bites
If you’re fed up with mosquito bites on your scalp or any other part of your body, you can take a few simple precautions to prevent these bites.
Some of these precautions include:
Covering Up
The simplest way to avoid mosquito bites is to not have that part of your skin exposed.
You can wear caps or hats when you go out if your hair is thinning out or if you have a bald head.
Men can also try durags if they have waves, fades, or other hairstyles that expose a part of their scalp and make them vulnerable to bites.
Wearing Lighter Colors
A study conducted by the University of Florida suggests that people who wear darker colors are more attracted to mosquitoes, especially in the afternoons.
The theory put forward is that darker colors tend to stand out to mosquitoes and hence people wearing darker shades are more of a target.
Using a Mosquito Repellent
Sometimes, either of the two above precautions is not feasible. What if it’s a hot summer day, and you want to wear shorts?
Or maybe black is your color? In this case, you can simply use a mosquito repellant.
There are mosquito repellant lotions and creams that contain a chemical called DEET and this is what helps keeps those bloodsuckers away.
However, you should look out for repellants with more than 15 percent of DEET concentration.
These repellants are safe for skin and usually do not cause any issues with sensitive skin.
But if you’re still not convinced there are mosquito repellent bracelets that do the job just fine!
Mosquito Bites Vs Head Lice: How to tell the difference
Have you been scratching your head more often lately? Yes, there is a chance that the soreness and itching are simply a mosquito bite.
But why take a chance? Here’s how you can tell if you’ve got a mosquito bite on your scalp or a lice problem.
- If you have thick, lush hair, it’s unlikely that a mosquito can bite your scalp. So if you’re feeling the itch with long thick hair, it might be dandruff, lice, or fungal infections of some sort.
- The most obvious sign of head lice is the presence of the bug itself. These critters are visible to the eye.
- Even if you haven’t seen a louse crawling around your hair, nits (white-colored louse eggs) are a sure sign of head lice.
- Mosquito bites appear as small reddish bumps that itch but are generally painless. A lice infestation can lead to scalp sores due to all the biting scratching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mosquitoes attracted to hair?
No mosquitoes are not attracted to hair in general. But they can be attracted to your head if you have dark hair.
As I’ve discussed before darker shades stand out to mosquitoes more. So if you have black hair it might be more appealing.
But mosquitoes are simply attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide released by us during respiration (signaling that we are live prey).
Can you get insect bites on your scalp?
Insects rarely bite the human scalp. And if they do, it’s because that area is exposed (without hair).
But if you have a head full of hair, insect bites are rare.
If you’re feeling a biting sensation or soreness or itching, chances are you have a lice infestation.
How do you know if a mosquito bite is infected?
Sometimes a mosquito bite isn’t as harmless as it seems. We all know that mosquitoes can transmit deadly diseases like the West Nile disease, Malaria, Zika Virus, Dengue, and more.
But even an innocuous mosquito bite can become a health issue if it’s infected.
If the mosquito bite is infected, you’ll notice the following features.
Fever and chills
Lymph nodes are swollen
Pus leakage from the bite
Redness around the area of the bite
The bitten area is warm to touch
There is also a condition called Skeeter syndrome that causes people to have an adverse reaction to mosquito bites as they are allergic to certain proteins in the mosquito’s saliva.
Is it bad to get a mosquito bite on your head?
The risks associated with mosquito bites vary depending on a person’s location and environmental factors. In general, however, mosquito bites can be very irritating and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. They may also result in skin rash or fever. While there is no reason to get rid of your current Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes completely (since they are essential for the natural spread of dengue fever), it is important to take precautions when getting bitten by wearing long sleeves and pants while outdoors during dusk or dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active.
How long do mosquito bites last on head?
Mosquitoes may not be the biggest pest around, but they can still cause a lot of discomfort. Their bites are often itchy and last anywhere from a few hours to a day or so. If you’re looking for relief, applying an over-the-counter cream like calamine or petroleum jelly may help.
So now we know that a mosquito may not necessarily bite your scalp, unless you’re bald, it can definitely snack on the other exposed areas of your skin.
There are several precautions that you can take to prevent these bites, and in case you get bitten there are simple solutions too.
However, not all that itching and inflammation can be due to mosquito bites, especially on your scalp.
You need to check for dandruff, folliculitis, acne, and lice infestations if you see symptoms resembling mosquito bites on your scalp.
Also Read:
Sunburn On The Scalp: How To Prevent Sunburns, Treatment, Symptoms
How To Remove Nits From Hair Without A Comb
To Summarize