Expert reveals gross reason why mosquitos like some people a lot more than others
I mean it's mosquitoes, were you expecting it to be pleasant?
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@dermguru
Topics: News, World News, Health, Animals
Kit Roberts
Topics: News, World News, Health, Animals
They are the most dangerous insect on the planet, and also a nasty inconvenience to anyone unfortunate enough to encounter them.
The old saying 'if you think you're too small to make a difference, you've never been to bed with a mosquito' tells you everything you need to know about the nasty critters.
But while some people are kept awake all night by the buzzing and biting, others sleep sweetly and mosquito free.
Advert
It's always the same when you go on holiday. One person comes back from the trip looking like the surface of the moon with the amount of bites covering them from head to toe.
Meanwhile, the lucky one is left more untouched than the last stale, curling turkey sandwich at the office Christmas party.
And it turns out that there is a proper scientific reason why some people avoid the mozzies while others became a bloody banquet.
A number of factors can parry the proboscis from the skin. Some you can change, others not so much.
TikToker and dermatologist @dermguru took to the platform to explain the different factors which might make you itch-free, or dinner.
One is sweat. Female mosquitoes drink mammalian blood, and the best way to locate a mammal? Our sweat, of course.
She explained: "There's actually a scientific reason for that mosquitoes are attracted to sweat and people who have a higher temperature particularly attracted to things like ammonia, uric acid, lactic acid, and so people who exercise quite a bit are more likely to get bit by mosquitoes."
That's a very polite way of saying if you smell, they're coming for you.
It's also bad news if you like a cold beer on hot day.
She said: "Other things that can make you more susceptible to mosquito bites is drinking a beer. The study found that just drinking 112 ounce cans of beer can make you more attractive to mosquitoes."
There's also bacteria colonies.
She added: "Finally, the type and the number of bacteria that live on our skin can make us more or less attractive to mosquitoes also explained why we are more likely to get fit on the ankles because there's more robust bacterial colonies in those areas."
One thing you can do to avoid being bitten is to have very thick body hair. This actually creates a physical barrier and mosquitoes can sometimes struggle to get through.
But also bear in mind that body hair will carry more sweat, which means they might be more keen on you.
Bet you feel itchy now.