Symptoms

Mosquito bite signs include:

• A puffy, white and reddish bump that appears a few minutes after the bite
• A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps, appearing a day or so after the bite or bites
• Small blisters instead of hard bumps
• Dark spots that look like bruises

More-severe reactions may be experienced by children, adults not previously exposed to the type of mosquito that bit them, and people with immune system disorders. In these people, mosquito bites sometimes trigger:

• A large area of swelling and redness
• Low-grade fever
• Hives
• Swollen lymph nodes

Children are more likely to develop a severe reaction than are adults, because many adults have had mosquito bites throughout their lives and become desensitized.

When to see a doctor

If mosquito bites seem to be associated with more-serious warning signs — such as fever, headache, body aches and signs of infection — contact your doctor.