FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: Why Do Mosquitoes Love Me?

DrSugar — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:17 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
Mosquitoes love me. Aside from using repellent featuring DEET (the natural sprays don’t work for me at all), is there anything else I can do to make myself less attractive to hungry pests? I heard drinking white vinegar helps. Also, once bitten, what is the best way to calm down the itchy factor of the bites? I end up bruising myself from scratching so hard!
- Covered With Bites

I must admit, mosquitoes and bugs love me too! In fact, my husband says I must be made of "sweet meat" because bugs love to sink their teeth into me! I think this is a great question to discuss while it's still Summer, so

read more. Whether or not my husband's "sweet meat" theory is correct, there does seem to be some truth to the fact that certain people are more prone to getting bug bites than others. There is no medical or scientific research that I could find that supports this, but I’m guessing it may have to do with certain people's body chemistry. Either way, there are things that can be done to prevent insect bites. To prevent mosquito bites, Dr. Greene recommends wearing light, neutral-colored clothing that covers most of the body, as bright, floral colors attract mosquitoes; avoiding fragrant soaps, shampoos, and lotions; avoiding "peak biting times," which are from dusk until dawn and worse in hot, humid weather; and staying away from still water (either indoors or outdoors). WebMD also has good tips on preventing any type of insect bite or sting: apply insect repellent prior to entering woods or other areas where you may come into contact with insects, apply repellents safely, wear light-colored clothing that covers the body, avoid fragrant lotions and products, and avoid swatting at insects. There are all types of insect repellent out there; some are natural and not made with chemicals and others have chemicals (the most common one out there is DEET). From what I read, drinking white vinegar was not mentioned as a way to repel insects, but there are tons of homemade spray-repellent recipes that use white vinegar. In terms of nonchemical, natural repellents, Dr. Greene recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET is the active ingredient in many insect repellents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a safety review on DEET in 1998 and, based on extensive toxicity testing, believes that the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general population. However, consumers can reduce their risks when using DEET by reading and following product label directions. To read the directions on all products containing DEET, refer to the EPA website! Well, you've done all you can do and you still end up with a bug bite; what’s the best way to treat it? According to WebMD, most bites will heal on their own without a visit to the doctor. Emedicine health recommends cleaning the area with soap and water to remove any contaminated particles left behind by the insect. You should also refrain from scratching because this can cause the skin to break down and an infection to form. In the first six hours after the bite, a cool wet cloth or ice pack can help reduce symptoms as well. Itching can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamine (such as Benadryl) in pill or cream form. Hydrocortisone 1 percent cream or calamine lotion may help relieve itching as well, but Benadryl and hydrocortisone creams should not be given to children until speaking with the pediatrician! Have a question for DrSugar? You can send it to me via private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Beat the Bugs: DEET vs. Picaridin vs. All-Natural Bug Spray

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:47:32 PDT

I seem to be a magnet for mosquitoes. Whether I'm trail running or just hanging out at a friend's backyard barbecue, those suckers find me and start a feeding frenzy. If you too constantly suffer from the stinging bites of skeeters, you're probably wondering which bug spray will work the best without causing your body harm.

To find out, continue reading.

Elude Mosquitoes With These Tricks

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:15:18 PDT

The living might be easy in Summertime, but at twilight mosquitoes seem to rule the show. These pesky bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide we, and other animals, exhale. You can't stop breathing when out and about at sunset - the time when mosquitoes seem to be most active - but you can try these evasive maneuvers to limit the feast.

Cover up, but dress lightly: It is best to wear light colored clothes like khaki or white since mosquitoes are attracted to dark and bright colors. Cover up as much as you can with lightweight long sleeves and long pants to make it more difficult for the bothersome pests to bite you.
Sip water not beer: A recent French study found that mosquitoes preferred the taste of beer drinkers over folks sipping on water. Other forms of alcohol have yet to be studied, so drinking wine or spirits may also make you attractive to skeeters.
Skip the perfume: Mosquitoes also dine on flower nectar so you don't want to smell like a floral garden. Skip the perfume spritz before heading out in the evening. You might want to check your clothing detergent; it could be making your clothes smell like blossoms.
Exercise in the morning: Lactic acid, a byproduct of working out, attracts mosquitoes, as do perspiration and body heat. Work out earlier in the day, preferably the morning, to avoid baking in the heat and to decrease the bugs ability to find you in a crowd.

Bad News For DEET Users

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:00:47 PDT

With all the rain many areas in the US have been getting this Summer, mosquitoes are out of control. Bug sprays that contain DEET are just about the only thing guaranteed to repel those buggers, but a new study may make you think twice before spraying it all over your body. In scientific experiments on insects, DEET was found to interfere with proper functioning of the central nervous system. The researchers say that testing on humans is urgently needed, since more than 200 million people use products containing DEET. Oddly enough, there hasn't been a lot of research on the effects of this chemical on humans, but if it affects the nervous systems of bugs, it can't be too healthy for us.

Although the EPA has said in the past that if used as directed, bug sprays containing DEET are not harmful to humans, does this new study change your mind?

Does Eating Garlic Keep Away Mosquitoes?

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:30:20 PDT

"If you think you're too small to make a difference, you've never been in bed with a mosquito."

The buzzing of a mosquito can interfere with your sleep and the bites can ruin camping trips and barbecues. If you avoid chemicals found in DEET or other bug sprays, you may be looking for a more natural way to repel skeeters. You may have heard that eating garlic can do the trick. Find out if it's true.

You Asked: Why Do I Get Bit by Mosquitos More?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:00:00 PDT

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

Dog Days of Summer: Do You Know the Danger of Mosquitoes?

PetSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:00:15 PDT

As if you didn't think you had enough bugs to worry about with fleas and ticks, there's still mosquitoes, too. Not only are they super annoying, but bites from these bugs can lead to heartworm in dogs and cats – your pets should be on a year-round heartworm preventative no matter where you live. While symptoms can be hard to detect, they include sudden respiratory problems like difficulty breathing and a persistent cough that requires immediate attention. What about flies? Find out when you

read more. Now, flies are less likely to spread disease to your pets, but they will (on rare occasion) lay eggs on a cut or poop-stained fur . . . umm, yuck. This can then lead to an under-the-skin maggot infestation that could even become fatal. If you smell a strong, foul odor coming from a wound or spot patches of skin rubbed raw, head to the vet pronto! Source

Mosquitoes Prefer Fitness Freaks?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:00 PDT

I now know why I attract mosquitoes, and my dear husband does not. It has nothing to do with "taste." Mosquitoes bite people that are easiest to find. The insects hone in on their victims through signals people emit that are scent and heat related. Body temperature, the amount of carbon monoxide in the breath, and certain skin chemicals like lactic acid all help mosquitoes locate their next meal. All three of those factors are increased with exercise, making you more vulnerable to bites during and immediately after exercise. Simply put, I exercise more than my husband and I have the bites to prove it. I am not tastier, just hotter literally and probably more stinky, at least to the mosquitoes.

Source

You Asked: Do I Need to Worry About West Nile Virus?

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:00:00 PDT

You're asking and I'm answering.

Dear Fit,
I am a magnet for mosquitoes and a friend said I better watch out for West Nile Virus. Is she right? Is this another disease I need to worry about?
-Bitten, Itchy, and Paranoid

I have been hearing about West Nile Virus (WNV) more and more. It is an illness spread by infected mosquitoes with most cases reported in the Summer and early Fall when infected mosquitoes are more likely to be actively biting us. About 80 percent of people infected with WNV will experience no symptoms (that's good news), but 20 percent will come down with mild symptoms that are similar to a cold - headache, fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes develop a skin rash. The symptoms usually pass after a few days but can linger for up to a few weeks. There are a few unlucky people – one out of every 150 – who develop more severe symptoms, like: high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, muscle weakness, convulsions, vision loss, numbness, and possibly coma.

If you've been bitten by an infected mosquito, symptoms appear within three to 14 days. There's no specific treatment for WNV, as it usually runs its course and subsides on its own. If symptoms are serious, a trip to the hospital may be in order.

If you're wondering how to protect yourself from contracting WNV then

read more. Unfortunately, the more time you spend outside, the more you are at risk for becoming a meal for an infected mosquito. You can't live inside forever though, so do what you can to avoid getting bit.

Wear long sleeves and pants in areas that are crowded with these buggers to prevent bites.
Use bug spray especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Look for ones that contain EPA-recommended ingredients such as DEET, picardin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 (ethyl ester). Be sure to read the bottle carefully and use them as directed.
Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, be sure to dump out any water that might have collected in flowerpots, buckets, or barrels. Also, clean out your pet's water dish daily and bird baths weekly.
Make sure the windows and doors where you live or work are either closed or have screens on them.

Fit's Tips: If you think you may be coming down with a serious case of WNV, contact your doctor to see what they recommend. Source

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch When You Scratch Them?

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

'Tis the season for mosquitoes and annoying bug bites. If you love to play outside, trail run, hike, or camp, it's inevitable that you'll get your fair share of bites. They're just so itchy, and it seems that when you scratch them, the more they itch.

When the female mosquito stabs her needle-like proboscis into your skin to suck out your blood, she injects you with her saliva. This is filled with digestive enzymes and anticoagulants, and it helps her drink more quickly. Your body reacts to the saliva by producing histamine. This makes the blood vessels near the bite enlarge, and so a pink, swollen, and itchy bump appears.

Since the bite is so itchy, you can't help but scratch it. The problem is, this irritates the bite, which makes it inflamed, and causes it to itch more. The best thing to do is avoid scratching at all costs. Wash the area with soap and water, and apply an anti-itch cream, like Cortaid. I have found that applying an ice pack helps too.

Source