My hand was bitten by mosquitoes and the entire hand is swollen. What should I do?

Jul 09, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My son is 12 years old. Recently, he was bitten by mosquitoes on his hand, and in the past few days, I noticed swelling. I would like to know what to do if the entire hand becomes swollen after a mosquito bite.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
After being bitten by a mosquito, if the entire hand becomes swollen, the following measures can help alleviate the symptoms: 1. **Medication**: Apply topical treatments such as calamine lotion or mometasone furoate cream. These medications have astringent and anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce swelling. If symptoms are severe, oral antihistamines such as loratadine tablets or cetirizine hydrochloride tablets may be taken under a doctor's guidance to relieve allergic reactions and reduce swelling. 2. **Physical Treatment**: Use cold compresses to alleviate swelling. Place an ice pack on the affected area; the cold will constrict local blood vessels and help reduce swelling. If swelling persists beyond 72 hours, apply warm compresses to promote blood circulation and accelerate the reduction of swelling. 3. **General Care**: Keep the hand clean and avoid scratching to prevent worsening of swelling or secondary infection. Monitor the swelling closely; if it gradually subsides, no special treatment is necessary. If the swelling continues to worsen or other uncomfortable symptoms appear, prompt medical attention is recommended.