Mosquito "skeeter syndrome" sending Alberta children to emergency rooms
Allergic reactions to mosquito bites are prompting hospital visits, particularly among kids who haven't been bitten frequently before.
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Alberta's surging mosquito populations are triggering more than itchiness—some kids are ending up in emergency rooms with severe allergic reactions known as "skeeter syndrome."
Edmonton emergency room physician Dr. Andrew Dixon said he's treated five or six cases in the past few days alone. "We've seen a lot of kids come in with significant swelling. It usually worries people the most when it's in and around the eye. You get a big swollen thing around the eye and the eye swells shut," he said.
The condition occurs when some people, especially those rarely bitten before, have an exaggerated inflammatory response to mosquito saliva. Large areas of skin can become red, swollen, and hot; in severe cases, fluid-filled blisters form. A low fever may accompany the reaction.
Dr. Mariam Hanna, a pediatric allergist at McMaster University, said skeeter syndrome peaks around pre-school age and typically fades as children get older and build tolerance through repeated exposure. "It's not uncommon particularly in some areas in Canada where we get a lot more mosquitoes and a lot more mosquito bites," she said. The condition is localized and not life-threatening, though Hanna recommends seeking medical care if fever develops or parents are worried.
