Why do Mosquito Bites Itch More at Night Time?

What causes mosquito bites to itch?

Whenever mosquito bites you for a blood meal, they suck blood and injects saliva into your blood stream. That saliva contains proteins that prevents your blood from clotting and is considered as an allergen by your body. In response to this allergen, your immune system releases histamine which causes the bite to swell, itch and form a bump.

This histamine causes increased blood flow and inflammation around the bite area, as a result, we feel itching and an urge to scratch.

Why do mosquito bites itch more at night?

While the mosquito bites can be very irritating with discomfort and uneasiness at any time of the day, but many of us have experienced increased itching of mosquito bites at night time. This involves the biological, physiological, as well as environmental factors that aggravates the itching at night.

Also, as we lie down to rest at night, there are multiple changes in our body that takes place and collectively aggravates the itching of mosquito bites.

The lack of daytime distractions, physical activity and stress levels also contributes to our increased attention and sensation towards itching.

We have outlined many factors below that triggers the itching sensation more at night time.

Main factors causing mosquito bites to itch more at night

Below are the main contributing factors that may severely affect the mosquito bite itching sensation at night:

1. Increased Histamine levels

Due to our body’s internal clock system called as circadian rhythm regulates many physiological processes which includes hormone production, sleep-wake cycles and our immune responses.

During night the histamine levels are increased due to this circadian rhythm hormone release cycles, and therefore we feel increased sensation of itching at night.

2. Increased blood flow

Our body tries to reduce our body temperature when we are at rest and going to sleep. This is done by increased blood flow to our skin while you sleep, to cool our body and this increase in blood flow increases the skin sensitivity towards itching.

3. Decreased Cortisol levels

Our body fights with inflammation by releasing hormone called cortisol, which are also called stress hormones. This cortisol fights with the inflammatory responses that is produced in our body due to mosquito bites or any other injury.

During night time the the cortisol levels are low and therefore, there will be low immune response to inflammation and thus the mosquito bites itch more at night.

4. Increased skin temperature

The body temperature generally increases at night due to increased blood flow to the skin, in order to cool down our body. This may result in increased sensation to itching.

5. Dry skin and dehydration

If your skin becomes dry due to dehydration in your body or low humidity levels in your room, it can dry out your skin and worsen the itching. Sometimes dry cool air in your room due to air conditioners, may cause excessive skin drying which may also lead to increased itching.

6. Hormone levels

Many other hormones responsible for dealing with anti-inflammatory responses, sleep wake cycles and tissue damage repair, like corticosteroids, melatonin, etc. are also at lower levels at night. As a result, the mosquito bites itch more at night.

7. Circadian Rhythm

This is the main culprit in our increased sensation to itching at night. This circadian rhythm is a natural clock within our body that regulates various internal processes including immune responses and hormone production.

The increased histamine, lower cortisol levels and other hormone levels may together contribute towards increased skin sensitivity in night.

This increased skin sensitivity causes our mind and body to be more attentive and focused towards itching, which gets amplified at night.

8. Lack of distractions

In day time you are pre occupied with other work commitments and engagements that keep your mind away from any discomfort. However, at night time your mind is more aware of body’s sensations.

The quiet and restful moment and increased sensation at night, with no distractions as you have in day time, causes increased awareness towards bothering and itching mosquito bites.

Without distractions, our mind processes itching signals more precisely that creates irritation with more severe itching.

9. Increased Cytokines levels

The body releases cytokines, which are small proteins that regulates our immune system and blood cells. Cytokines are needed for our body to fight with infections and allergens. But, any increased levels in cytokines can increase the level of inflammation.

It has been found that the cytokines levels are higher at night, and thus causes increased inflammation and itching sensation at night.

10. High humidity with sweating

During warmer days and high humidity, our body perspires with sweating. This sweating and hot climate can irritate the bite areas, and may elevate the itching sensation.

List of all possible factors that may cause mosquito bites to itch more at night

There are many factors that may be directly responsible or may aggravate other factors to intensify the mosquito bites itching at night. Thus, the night time itching may not be due to single factor but a combination of one or more factors in your surrounding and within your body.

We have created a list of factors that may cause mosquito bites to itch more at night:

Sr. no.	Factors	Details
1.	Histamine levels	Immune response of our body against allergens. The histamine levels are higher in night, as they causes irritation and inflammation to fight against allergens.
2.	Blood flow	The blood flow to our skin is higher at night, to cool down our body.
3.	Hormone levels	Many hormone levels, which are responsible to fight inflammation and body repair, are lower at night.
4.	Cortisol levels	The stress hormone that is also responsible to fight against inflammations is lower at night.
5.	Circadian Rhythm	It is our body’s internal regulating system that time lines each and every process, like releasing hormones, immune response, sleep and wake cycles, etc.
6.	Cytokines levels	These are proteins that fight with infections and are found to be increased at night.
7.	Humidity with sweating	The inconvenience and discomfort due to sweating and high humidity causes the mosquito bites to itch more.
8.	Lack of distractions	At night, you are almost free from other work related and social distractions, and so your body process itching sensations more accurately.
9.	Dry skin and dehydration	The dryness in skin due to cool air from air conditioners or dehydration in your body causes your skin to dry which gives you increased sensation of itching.
10.	Skin temperature	At night your body temperature also rises to some extent due to increased blood flow to skin.
11.	Mosquito activity	At night, the mosquitoes are more active and so there are chances of further mosquito bites to same bite area. And any further scratching may double or triple your itching discomfort.
12.	Melatonin levels	Its a hormone related to sleep wake cycles affecting the sleep quality, is also responsible for immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory roles. It stimulates the cytokine production in immunomodulatory cells. Poor sleep quality can lead to increased itching sensation.
13.	Pain tolerance and fatigue	At night time our pain tolerance levels are low and due to fatigue we feel more tired and cumbersome. This also affects our itch tolerance levels at night.
14.	Exposure to microbes	Any bacteria or fungi exposure may increase the severity and chances of secondary infections.
15.	Dust and allergens	Exposure to other allergens, dust or pollens, may aggravate the skin irritation.
16.	Psychological factors	Anxiety or stress can intensify the itching sensation at night.
17.	Friction from bedding and clothing	Synthetic and harsh uncomfortable bedding materials, can also increase the skin irritation around mosquito bites.
18.	Contact with chemicals	Any use of chemical based lotion, skin cream or soap detergent, may also elevate the skin irritation.

How to get relief from nighttime mosquito bites itching?

There are many ways you can relieve the discomfort and excessive itching at night, due to mosquito bites that is keeping you awake all night:

1. Anti-histamines

You can take antihistamine oral medicine before bed to get relief from itching at night. This will counteract the increased histamine levels released in the body and helps in falling asleep.

2. Anti-itch creams and ointments

There are many over the counter creams and ointments available containing active ingredients like antihistamines, calamine, hydrocortisone, etc. which helps in reducing itching and prevent scarring of mosquito bites.

3. Cold compresses

Applying ice packs or cold compresses to the itching bite area will numb the area and reduce itching. This is a temporary short term relief but preferred as it gives instant relief.

4. Natural remedies

To soothe the itching skin you can apply home based remedies like honey, aloe vera gel, etc. that will reduce itching.

Preventing mosquito bites at night

To avoid itching, discomfort and inconvenience, and being bothersome throughout the night without sleep, its important to prevent mosquito bites at the first place. It becomes important to keep mosquitoes away, using different methods:

• Mosquito repellents: Use mosquito repellents like DEET, Pyrethrin, etc. to prevent deter mosquitoes.
• Install window screens and mosquito nets: Install window screens and cover all access points with mosquito nets to restrict mosquito inside your home.
• Avoid Mosquito infestation: Eliminate any sources of standing water which can become mosquito infestation hub. This can be your toilet or bathroom, garage, decorative ponds, water features, rain barrels, puddles, wetlands, etc.
• Use natural mosquito repellent plants: Grow natural mosquito repellent plants that adds to the aesthetics of your garden and lawn with pleasant smell and fragrance along with keeping mosquitoes at bay.
• Limit outdoor time: In evening the mosquitoes are most active and any exposure to mosquito zones can be really bothersome with plenty of mosquito bites. Avoid going outside without wearing any protective clothing and gear, or mosquito repellent spray or lotion. Limiting your outdoor time can definitely prevent mosquitoes bites to a great extent.

Conclusion

Mosquito bites can be frustrating for you at any time of the day, but people have experienced, that mosquito bites itch more at night. These increased sensation of itching is driven by many biological, physiological, and environmental factors.

Understanding this phenomena of increased sensation of itching is important to get relief and prevent scarring of mosquito bites.

Mosquito bite scars may last for several months and even permanent in cases where it is accompanied by secondary infections due to excessive scratching.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)