WRITTEN BY JAMIE DUVNJAK, CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
Camping was one of my favorite pastimes growing up. I never understood why people around me doused themselves in mosquito repellant yet still ended up with bites. I rarely used bug spray, because my body was sensitive to the smell and chemicals found in those products. It didn’t matter anyway since I rarely got bit. A few months back, I had a conversation with a friend about it. We were both curious as to why some people get attacked by these annoying bloodsuckers while others remained untouched. I decided to write an article about my findings.
From my reading, there are several potential reasons a female mosquito chooses to suck blood from one body over another one. Some researchers believe blood type may be the cause. They speculate those with Blood type O are bitten twice as much as type B. Type A people are bitten less than type B. Others state that mosquitoes are drawn to people who produce more carbon dioxide. These may include obese, tall or pregnant individuals. How often one showers may be another cause. The ones that carry malaria are said to be attracted to day-old sweat. Those that have high body temperatures, high lactic acid (released through pores after exercise) and uric acid (from urine which can also build up on the skin) may be prime targets as well. Around 500 volatile chemicals are emitted from our skin. Mosquitoes pick up these scents using their antennae and gravitate towards these odors. Another 2002 study in Japan was conducted where 13 volunteers drank one bottle of beer. After consumption, researchers found the volunteers had more bites as opposed to those that didn’t drink any. They believed the beer raised the body temperatures and the amount of alcohol in their sweat was enough to attract the mosquitoes.
Whatever the true causes may be, these bites are not only an extreme nuisance, but can be fatal as you are probably aware of. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, roughly 198 million cases of Malaria were reported worldwide. An estimated 500,000 people died from it that year. A NEWSWEEK article stated some famous people who contracted this mosquito-borne disease and died as a result were Christopher Columbus, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Michael Caine and Mother Teresa. Pretty scary!
Natural ways to prevent bites
1) Add lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon leaf or clove oil with water to a spray bottle and generously cover your body with it.
2) Shower often
3) Exercise outdoors once the temperature drops or workout inside if it’s too hot and humid outside.
4) Wear light and breathable attire.
5) Eat more garlic. Mosquitoes may be repulsed by the smell emitted from your sweat and breath.
6) Take Vitamin B1. Mosquitoes may find the scent this vitamin produces offensive.
What to do if bit
1) Don’t break the skin. This could lead to a serious bacterial infection.
2) Apply an anti-inflammatory gel right away and cover the area with plaster or gauze so you don’t have a temptation to scratch it.
3) Dab lavender, peppermint and/or tea tree oil to the affected area to prevent swelling, itching or infection.
4) Cover the area with apple cider vinegar, baking soda and witch hazel paste or honey.
5) Go seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any ill feelings such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever or diarrhea.
Are you one of those people who are notorious for getting bit? I’d love to hear how you prevent bites and if you’ll try any of the tips I mentioned in this article.
Thanks for taking the time to read this today!
Jamie Duvnjak
From my reading, there are several potential reasons a female mosquito chooses to suck blood from one body over another one. Some researchers believe blood type may be the cause. They speculate those with Blood type O are bitten twice as much as type B. Type A people are bitten less than type B. Others state that mosquitoes are drawn to people who produce more carbon dioxide. These may include obese, tall or pregnant individuals. How often one showers may be another cause. The ones that carry malaria are said to be attracted to day-old sweat. Those that have high body temperatures, high lactic acid (released through pores after exercise) and uric acid (from urine which can also build up on the skin) may be prime targets as well. Around 500 volatile chemicals are emitted from our skin. Mosquitoes pick up these scents using their antennae and gravitate towards these odors. Another 2002 study in Japan was conducted where 13 volunteers drank one bottle of beer. After consumption, researchers found the volunteers had more bites as opposed to those that didn’t drink any. They believed the beer raised the body temperatures and the amount of alcohol in their sweat was enough to attract the mosquitoes.
Whatever the true causes may be, these bites are not only an extreme nuisance, but can be fatal as you are probably aware of. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, roughly 198 million cases of Malaria were reported worldwide. An estimated 500,000 people died from it that year. A NEWSWEEK article stated some famous people who contracted this mosquito-borne disease and died as a result were Christopher Columbus, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Michael Caine and Mother Teresa. Pretty scary!
Natural ways to prevent bites
1) Add lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon leaf or clove oil with water to a spray bottle and generously cover your body with it.
2) Shower often
3) Exercise outdoors once the temperature drops or workout inside if it’s too hot and humid outside.
4) Wear light and breathable attire.
5) Eat more garlic. Mosquitoes may be repulsed by the smell emitted from your sweat and breath.
6) Take Vitamin B1. Mosquitoes may find the scent this vitamin produces offensive.
What to do if bit
1) Don’t break the skin. This could lead to a serious bacterial infection.
2) Apply an anti-inflammatory gel right away and cover the area with plaster or gauze so you don’t have a temptation to scratch it.
3) Dab lavender, peppermint and/or tea tree oil to the affected area to prevent swelling, itching or infection.
4) Cover the area with apple cider vinegar, baking soda and witch hazel paste or honey.
5) Go seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any ill feelings such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever or diarrhea.
Are you one of those people who are notorious for getting bit? I’d love to hear how you prevent bites and if you’ll try any of the tips I mentioned in this article.
Thanks for taking the time to read this today!
Jamie Duvnjak
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