Ever been outside enjoying a warm evening when bam —you feel that familiar itch? I’ve had mosquito bites that made me want to invent a scratch-o-matic machine. But have you ever stopped mid-scratch to wonder why mosquito bites itch so much? Spoiler: it’s not just bad luck—it’s biology in action. The Culprit Behind the Bite When a mosquito bites you, it’s not just “taking your blood.” It’s also injecting saliva into your skin. This saliva contains proteins that prevent your blood from clotting while the mosquito drinks. Your immune system doesn’t like these foreign proteins. So it reacts by sending histamines to the area—chemicals that cause swelling, redness, and yes, that maddening itch. Fun fact: Only female mosquitoes bite. They need the protein in blood to produce eggs. Males stick to a plant-based diet, sipping nectar like polite little gentlemen. Why The Itch Feels Worse Later At first, you might not feel anything. But once your body identifies the mosquito’s saliva, th...