With the arrival of sunny days, the tiger mosquito invites itself into our daily life, during the day as in the evening. Present on almost all hexagonal France, he worries as much by his bite as by the diseases he can transmit. But how do you know if it was he who attacked you? Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, details the signs not to be ignored.
What are the special signs of bites by the tiger mosquito?
According to Dr. Kierzek, the insect bite is special. “”It is not a bite like the others. It is often more painful, more visible, and above all it scratches almost immediately “.
Also be aware that the Tigre mosquito is spinning in broad daylight, most often in the morning or at the end of the afternoon. The first alert sign? The speed of the reaction.
“”The darkening bite almost instantly, and it is often more intense than other mosquitoes“Underlines Dr. Kierzek. If you were stung while it was day, that the itching is strong and persistent, it is a safe bet that you crossed the road to this insect.
Even if the sensation fade quickly, it can reappear for several days, especially in the event of a temperature variation.
More marked and sometimes persistent buttons
Besides the immediate pain, the tiger mosquito bite recognizes the naked eye. It can cause redness with a significant bulge, which looks like a hives button or a small bulb. “”It often leaves a wider and more red trace“Explains Dr. Kierzek.
It is not just a skin inconvenience: in some cases, the bite can be the entry point of a virus transmitted by an infected mosquito. In mainland France, health authorities are closely monitoring the circulation of three major viruses: Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika.
When should you worry and consult a doctor?
In the days following the bite, monitor the appearance of unusual symptoms, especially if you come back from a tropical area or if the bite has occurred in a region where the tiger mosquito is implanted.
Here are the signs that must alert:
- A brutal fever, accompanied by intense headaches or muscle/joint pain: this can evoke dengue;
- Violent and targeted joint pain (wrists, ankles, fingers) on a fever background: a typical chikungunya painting;
- A rash, conjunctivitis, fatigue and diffuse pain: think of the Zika virus, less known but monitored.
“”In the event of fever or symptoms after a trip, or after a suspicious bite, you must consult without delay“insists Dr. Kierzek.
In prevention, finally, the doctor recalls some essential rules. “You have to wear long clothes, use repellents, install mosquito nets and eliminate all stagnant waters around home“. Simple gestures but which drastically limit risks.