Why mosquitoes bite some people more than others
Anyone that has ever been to a BBQ, ever, knows about the frustration mosquito bites. The only more frustrating thing about those lumps then their itchiness it turning to your partner to complain about them, only to discover they don’t have a single bite. Turns out, there’s a science behind it.
The authors of a new study explored the differences in attraction of skin odors to mosquitoes in a group of (brave) volunteers drawn from a group of identical and non-identical twins.
The test subjects put their hands into a specially constructed plexi-glass sealed dome where the odors either attract or repel 20 female mosquitoes without being allowed to bite. Sure enough the identical twins, who share all their genes, had consistently more similar scores compared to fraternal twins – therefore showing a clear genetic component in mosquito attractiveness.
However, Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association says "Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface,"
Scientists do now know that genetics account for a whopping 85 per cent of our susceptibility to mosquito bites. However, they've also identified certain elements of our body chemistry that, when found in excess on the skin's surface, make mosquitoes swarm closer.
So who do mosquitoes like more?
Being overweight or obese, drinking alcohol or doing exercise all raise your metabolic rate, making you more attractive to mozzies. They are also believed to be attracted to other chemicals that can reside on the skin and carbon dioxide. This means that pregnant women and adults are more prone than children.
How can you stop it?
Mosquitoes are attracted to movement, so if you’re someone to dance up a storm, gesture wildly or even try to wave mosquitoes off, you may be making yourself more susceptible. This is because mosquitoes don’t actually see that well, so you are making yourself more visible. They also have difficulty seeing light colored clothing and flying near fans.
Or, a good old repellent will do.
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