You're asking and I'm answering . . .
"Hey Fit. I've noticed that mosquitoes are really attracted to me. If I go hiking with my friends, they'll walk out of the woods itch free and I'll wind up with at least 10 mosquito bites. I just assumed I had sweet blood, but there's got to be something more. Any ideas?"
—Sweet Sara
I feel your pain, or rather itch. The same thing happens to me, almost to the point that bug spray doesn't even seem to detract the pesky bites. I did a little research on WebMD so read more to find out what I learned.
It all is a matter, once again, of genetics. Here's why:
"People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes," Jerry Butler, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Florida, tells WebMD. That doesn't necessarily mean that mosquitoes prey on people with higher overall levels of cholesterol, Butler explains. These people simply may be more efficient at processing cholesterol, the byproducts of which remain on the skin's surface."
Apparently along with cholesterol and steroids on your skin, mosquitoes are also attracted to certain acids (lactic acids, uric acids, etc.), heat, and carbon dioxide — which can all increase with activity like volleyball or hiking. So if you're moving around and exercising outdoors then you become a prime target for the little buggers before they land on your skin. Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot you can do if the bugs bite you more than anyone else you know, but loading up on the insect repellent can help. WebMD also suggests keeping activity to a minimum when outdoors, but you can probably guess how I feel about that . . .
on Yahoo! |
:
Ow.
eat garlic! or take garlic pills.
I swear, it helps