Here’s What Michiganders Need to Know About “Skeeter Syndrome”

If you live in Michigan and you've spent any time outdoors this summer, you've probably been bitten by a mosquito or two. Or if you're anything like me, several dozen. Most people tend to get itchy around the bite area, but if you have a particularly bad reaction, you might have Skeeter syndrome.

Read Related: What to Plant in Your Michigan Yard to Repel Mosquitoes

I learned via the ever-helpful app, TikTok, that the way my body responds to mosquito bites is very severe. So severe in fact that the reaction has its own name: skeeter syndrome.

If you don't have a bad reaction (or a reaction at all) to mosquito bites, then you probably don't need to worry about this.

What Does Skeeter Syndrome Look Like?

Here's what Skeeter syndrome looks like:

Keep in mind, that this is how swollen the bite got after less than 60 seconds. That sucker got even bigger.

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This one is a little harder to see, but the one on my arm really swelled up.

Skeeter syndrome is denoted by the extreme swelling, redness, and itchiness that are caused when a mosquito bites those that are affected. And my bites are mild compared to some...

If you feel like you might suffer from Skeeter syndrome, then your biggest helper is going to be prevention. Here's what you can do to help deter mosquitoes:

• Avoid going outside at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes tend to be the worst
• Remove instances of standing water around your house, this is especially important if you have things like splash pads and other water toys for kiddos
• wearing insect repellent and using other mosquito preventatives

Even though I do use bug spray (and trust me I still get bit even when I do), I've been trying out other bug bite preventatives, and I've come across a couple of others that I have found helpful.

These are great and last a long time. They make a great option for kiddos, too.

Read Related: What are Those Little Brown Beetles on Lansing Porches?

So do these neat patches!

Good luck out there in the great outdoors.