If there is one thing that humans can agree on, it is hating a specific insect: the mosquito. To a greater or lesser extent, we have all suffered from the presence of one of these insects, whether because of their bites or because they won’t let us sleep with their buzzing in our ears. So far, the only existing remedy is mosquito repellents to prevent them, or creams and scratching non-stop until we can’t take it anymore.
According to dermatologist David Bank, what happens when a mosquito bites us is that it leaves its saliva under our skin. This saliva contains proteins that release histamine, which is responsible for swelling, redness, and the excruciating itch. That is why the Heat It device has been developed.This creation of German origin plugs into our smartphone and releases heat that can be regulated through an app. This heat inhibits the production of histamine, thereby reducing itching. Since its arrival in the United States in 2023, it has become one of the most used resources to combat the bites of this annoying insect.
Mosquitoes
Known worldwide as mosquitoes, they are called culicids, a family of nematoceran dipterans. They have a variable lifespan depending on sex, with males living around 10 days and females living between 42 and 56 days. Their presence, unfortunately, is global, so no one can escape their bites. They are attracted to smells. Substances that the human body emits while sweating, such as uric acid, lactic acid, or ammonia, are what attracts them the most. The belief that mosquitoes bite those who have sweeter blood is nothing more than a popular myth; mosquitoes are attracted to the amount of CO2 that humans emit.
What happens when a mosquito bites you?
The dermatologist expert in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery, David Bank, has explained that it is something more than just a simple bite. When a mosquito bites us, remnants of its saliva remain under our skin. This fluid contains proteins that release histamine, the substance that makes our skin red, swell, and itch.
What to do when you are bitten by a mosquito?
Despite being one of the most annoying insects, their bites are harmless (with exceptions). There are not many remedies to avoid the presence of mosquitoes: using insect repellents in homes or on the skin. If these do not work and they do bite you, the remedies in this case are also not excessive: scratching until you can’t anymore or applying some kind of specific cream for bites.
Heat It
In the face of this lack of options to relieve the distressing itch, the Heat It device has been born. Of German origin, this device manages to reduce the intensity of the itch almost completely, using heat and only connecting it to a mobile phone. How is this possible? Heat It explains that it is about the size of a large insect and works by plugging into a mobile charging port. What does it do once connected?
It emits localized heat, which can be adjusted based on the type of skin or itch of the affected person. Simply place it on the bite and wait a few minutes. The heat acts as a neutralizer of the previously mentioned proteins. This causes them to stop producing histamine, which means the rest of the symptoms also stop appearing. This device can be used by children aged 4 and older as well as by adults and seniors.
What do the studies say?
A sample of 1,750 people demonstrated its effectiveness. People with bites who used it for 2 minutes noticed a reduction in itching by 63%, while those who used it for 10 minutes achieved a 78% reduction. This is why it has become one of the most sought-after resources in the United States since its arrival in 2023, with the convenience and appeal of taking up no space and having its own app.
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