Background: Allergic reactions to insect bites are a global problem, the true incidence and prevalence of morbidity from adverse reactions to mosquito bites are unknown.
Objective: To describe the adverse reactions to mosquito bites in school-age children of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was made via a randomized application of questionnaires to children from public elementary schools in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
Results: A total of 11 public schools randomly selected were included in the study. One thousand questionnaires were submitted, of which 506 fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 55% were females. Seventy-six percent referred adverse reactions to mosquito bites, itching (75%) and rash (72%) being the most frequent ones, in the last 12 months.
Conclusions: Adverse reactions to mosquito bites occur frequently. Early detection is important to establish a prompt treatment.