Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others?
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Geetanjali Gupta
Written By Muskan Taneja
on Aug 28, 2024
Last Edit Made By Muskan Taneja
on Aug 28, 2024
Have you ever been in a room where everybody is enjoying, whereas you are busy itching? Irritating right? This is not just you. Around 20% of people are irresistible to mosquitos.
You probably wonder why mosquitoes bite you more than others. There are several reasons for this. It includes blood type, clothes, color, breathing, sweat, and even bacteria present on the skin. It creates a sense of irritation and itchiness.
But why does a mosquito bite itch?
Mosquitos release saliva during biting. Their saliva contains protein (a substance) that triggers our body’s immune system. Our body releases ‘Histamine’ (present in WBC) to fight with the protein. Histamine causes itchiness, inflammation, and swelling.
In this guide, you will learn why mosquitoes bite you the most and ways to prevent it.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Different studies have different theories. Some say that mosquitoes attract through blood. However, it is a controversial statement. A study claims that dengue mosquitos attract to the O blood type. Female mosquitos bite humans, while male mosquitos don’t bite. Instead, they feed on nectar (plant juice). Female mosquitos bite humans to get protein from our blood and produce their eggs. Researchers have also reported that mosquitoes attract more to skin odors and microbiota.
Various lumps or signs appear, but how do you know a mosquito bite? Certain signs and symptoms can tell if a bite is a mosquito bite.
- Puffy and reddish bump
- Hard & itchy bump
- Dark spots
- Small blisters
- Reddish-brown bump
- Bruises
Also read: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/general-health/are-you-correctly-applying-the-mosquito-repellent/
10 Reasons Why Mosquitoes Bite You The Most
Why some people are tastier to mosquitoes than others? For years, several researchers have been studying mosquito bites. If mosquitoes bite you the most, it could be because of several factors. Here are 10 reasons you may be more attractive to mosquitoes than others.
Blood Groups
Not all but some blood groups attract mosquitoes. Research also claims that mosquitos find some blood groups attractive. While the Asian Tiger mosquito attracts the type O blood group, the marsh mosquito attracts the type AB blood group. These people are more prone to mosquito bites.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is not a known attractive factor for mosquitoes. However, mosquitos sense carbon dioxide even from a distance. Often, obese people release more carbon dioxide, attracting more mosquitoes. Carbon dioxide is one known reason mosquitoes bite you more than others. Additionally, mosquitoes can see and smell from 5 to 15 meters.
Body Heat
Female mosquitoes attract more heat. Even if there are several heat sources, they still fly towards you. So, if you wonder why mosquitoes bite me so much, maybe your body heat is high. Exercise or excessive physical activity are sources of body heat.
Sweat
Mosquitoes attract compounds such as lactic acid and ammonia, which are present in sweat. Mosquitoes can sniff body sweat. If you exercise or are prone to more sweat, you are more likely to get a mosquito bite. In a way, mosquitoes attract people with high cholesterol, lactic acid, or ammonia.
Skin Bacteria
Bacteria not only control our gut health but also determine mosquito bites. Bacteria are fragrant when mixed with sweat, creating a potent attraction for mosquitoes. A study shows mosquitoes do not find every part of the body attractive. While some prefer shoulders and head, others prefer knees, feet, and ankles. Mosquitoes attract more where the number of bacteria is more.
Pregnant People
Pregnancy is one factor why mosquitoes bite you the most. Studies show that pregnant people are twice more in comparison to non-pregnant people. Pregnant women release 21% greater carbon dioxide than non-pregnant women. The heat in the abdomen of pregnant women is higher than non-pregnant women. Both body heat and carbon dioxide are great attractions for mosquitoes.
Alcohol
Fun fact: mosquitoes like the taste of beer. People who consume alcohol are more likely to get more mosquito bites.
In an experiment, researchers observed that mosquitoes were likelier to fly towards people who had consumed alcohol. Alcohol has no relation with body heat, carbon dioxide, or sweat, so the reason is still unclear.
Diet
Diet regulates our gut health and the bacteria present in it. Having heavy, spicy, sweet, salty, or potassium-rich food attracts mosquitos. Wise people say, ‘What you eat makes you a tastier meal for mosquitoes.’ If you are more prone to mosquito bites, think before eating.
Color of Clothes
Colors attract mosquitoes. They use their eyes to target victims. They target dark colors such as black, green, and purple. The color of the cloth is one such reason mosquitoes bite you the most. Even at night, they can look at dark colors. Choose alternative light colors such as white, green, pastels, light blue, or beige. Soft colors prevent intense mosquito bites, saving you from severe diseases like dengue, malaria, and yellow fever.
Water
Mosquitoes stick towards areas with water presence. Female mosquitoes especially lay eggs in stored water. It can lead to a more frequent number of mosquitoes. In most cases, these are dengue mosquitoes. Don’t store water in your surroundings.
How To Prevent Mosquito Bites?
Mosquitos can be dangerous. Here are certain ways you can prevent mosquito bites.
- Apply mosquito repellent whenever going out of the home.
- Cover your home with nets.
- Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants whenever visiting a mosquito-prone area.
- Don’t store water near your surroundings.
- Choose light color clothes.
Key Takeaways
Mosquitos attract specific factors, including body odor, sweat, heat, carbon dioxide, diet, and blood. These factors are present in our body either through genes or hereditary. If you have any of the above symptoms, then you are the type of people mosquitoes bite the most. To prevent yourself from severe infection, book a mosquito allergy test from Redcliffe Labs. We are available in PAN India, offering reasonable test prices and making it affordable to every Indian.
FAQs
Q1- Why do mosquitoes attract some people more than others?
Mosquitoes draw to people based on body chemicals, temperature, carbon dioxide, blood type, and skin bacteria.
Q2- What type of people bite mosquitoes the most?
Mosquitoes bite people who have Type O blood or wear dark clothing and alcohol consumption.
Q3- What are the reasons why mosquitoes bite you the most?
You might attract mosquitoes because of your blood type, higher body temperature, or genetic factors.
Q4- Why are some people tastier to mosquitoes than others?
People who exhale more carbon dioxide or sweat more are “tastier” to mosquitoes.
Q5- Why do mosquito bites itch?
Mosquitoes bite itch because the body’s immune response to mosquito saliva releases histamines, causing itching and swelling. It’s part of the allergic reaction to the bite.
Q6- Why do mosquitoes bite me so much?
Factors like your blood type, body heat, or high carbon dioxide levels might increase your risk of getting bitten.