The Best Ways to Cope with Mosquito Season

mosquito-seasonThe mockingbird may be the official bird of Florida, but it might be more fitting to endow mosquitoes with this honor. The heat and humidity make Florida a natural breeding ground for a variety of insects, but mosquitoes are considered the most prevalent and they can actually carry a variety of diseases, including malaria and West Nile Virus. By doing your best to avoid mosquitoes this summer, you’ll be preventing painful, itchy bites and the possibility of infection and illness.

Below are a few suggestions for keeping mosquitoes at bay:

  • Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and at dusk, so try to stay indoors during these times to minimize your exposure.
  • When you are outside during peak mosquito times, try to wear pants and long-sleeved shirts so that most of your skin is covered.
  • Stay away from swampy areas and standing water, since mosquitoes use these damp areas to breed.
  • Use a controlled-release mosquito repellant with a 20 to 30 percent concentration of DEET. For a more natural approach, lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella, or geranium oil may also be effective.

It’s not likely that anyone will make it through a summer in Florida without sustaining at least one or two mosquito bites. The important thing to remember is to try not to scratch the bites. Bacteria and germs from under your nails can actually get under the skin and possibly cause an infection, inflammation, or scarring. Applying an anti-itch ointment of one percent hydrocortisone may help to reduce the urge to scratch. You can also try applying an ice cube, tea tree oil, or baking soda to the bites.

For more tips from South Tampa Immediate Care about how to stay healthy this summer, please browse our full list of health articles. You can also contact us if you have questions about our or the services we offer.