Mosquitos are notorious for causing quite an itchy predicament. However, for some, it may be a more common occurrence compared to others. This article will be exploring some of the reasons mosquitos may be more inclined to follow you around over others!
Body Odor and Sweat
Compounds that produce certain odours in your sweat and skin may intrigue mosquitos. Researchers have discovered that compounds such as lactic acid and ammonia can attract mosquitos which can be found in sweat for example. This would make someone who sweats profusely more vulnerable. In terms of body odour, researchers aren't as aware in terms of the causes of contrasting body odours from person to person however it's been speculated that genetics as well as the number of diverse microbes on the skin may influence the change in odour.
Carbon Dioxide
Mosquitoes have the ability to detect changes in carbon dioxide in their environments. This alarms them if a potential host is in proximity, attracting them to that person. A larger person generally emits more carbon dioxide, making one more susceptible to alerting a mosquito and in turn, receiving an itchy mosquito bite.
Temperature and Water Vapour
Mosquitos are able to detect changes in heat and water vapour. This heat can be generated by our own body temperature as well as the surrounding temperature which also influences water vapour levels. Studies suggest that mosquitos are prone to targeting places with higher heat and water vapour levels. Thus, the climate and internal body temperature are significant in determining vulnerability to a mosquito's bite.
Diet
Certain foods can affect the compounds released from your skin which can then be broken down into odourless molecules that mosquitos can be attracted to as stated earlier. Eating additionally influences your metabolic rate which can cause an influx in body temperature and potential sweating. It is important to note however that there is very minimal evidence to support claims saying what you eat can dictate how attracted a mosquito is.
By: Samiha Ahsan
Citations (MLA)
McCallum, Katie. “Why Are Mosquitos Attracted to Some People More than Others?” Why Are Mosquitos Attracted to Some People More Than Others? | Houston Methodist On Health, 3 June 2022, https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/jun/why-are-mosquitoes-attracted-to-some-people-more-than-others/.
Seladi-Schulman, Jill. “Why Mosquitos Bite Some People More than Others.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Oct. 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-mosquitoes-bite-some-people-more#attraction.
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