- By Prerna Targhotra
- Wed, 04 Oct 2023 03:47 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Reasons Why Mosquitoes Bite Certain People More: We all must have heard the popular saying that some people are bitten by mosquitoes more than others because they have sweet blood. Some of us might have believed this to be true but there is no truth to this saying. There are several other scientific reasons why mosquitoes may bite you more than other people such as your clothes, breathing, temperature of your skin and bacteria living on your skin among others.
Lindsey Zubritsky, Board Certified Dermatologist, MD, FAAD, lists some reasons why mosquitoes may particularly bite you more than other people. In an Instagram post, Dr. Zubritsy wrote, “While there are a few other reasons some people are more attractive to mosquitoes, I found these three reasons to be the most interesting.”
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1. Sweat / High Body Temperature
According to Dr Zubritsy, mosquitoes are more often attracted to sweat and people who have a higher body temperature than usual. They are particularly attracted to ammonia, uric acid, and lactic acid, which is why people who exercise quite a bit are more likely to get bit by mosquitoes.
2. Excessive Consumption Of Alcohol
Another thing that can make you more susceptible to mosquito bites is drinking beer, in particular. Dr. Zubritsy says that a study found that drinking 12 ounces of beer can make you more attractive to mosquitoes.
3. Skin Microbiome
Your type of skin, its temperature and bacteria over it can be possible causes of mosquito bites (Image Credits: Canva)
The type and number of bacteria that live on our skin can be another reason to make us more or less susceptible to mosquito bites. It also explains why we are more likely to get bites on the ankles because there are more robust bacterial colonies in those areas.
4. Body Odour
The way you smell also has a significant role in making you more or less attractive to mosquito bites. Our body generates specific chemicals and compounds that are responsible for our body odour. These compounds such as ammonia and lactic acid act like magnets to mosquitoes and put us more at the risk of mosquito bites.
5. Colour Of Your Clothes
The colour of your clothes can also be a reason for frequent mosquito bites. The exact reason why mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colours is unidentified but if you constantly wear dark-coloured clothes including green, red, and black, it is easier for mosquitoes to inspect and bite you.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)
