Health & Life

This is why some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others

With the current damp and rainy weather conditions, it is the ideal environment for mosquitoes to thrive and spread diseases. Some people claim that those who enjoy eating meat and have acidic bodies are more prone to mosquito bites. But are these rumors true?

Administrator

29 January, 2024

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Experts have debunked this myth, saying that mosquitoes primarily target hosts through vision, smell, and temperature. In fact, carboxylic acid is the key to increasing mosquito attractiveness.

Why do mosquitoes only bite certain people?

In folklore, there is a belief that people who like to eat meat and have fragrant meat are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes. However, this is actually a scientifically unfounded claim.

In reality, mosquitoes mainly target hosts through physical and chemical means, such as vision, smell, temperature, humidity… Therefore, dark-colored clothing, perfume, blood type, body temperature, carbon dioxide, and body odor are all factors that attract mosquitoes.

A previous study found that human skin is rich in free fatty acids, which, when metabolized by bacteria, produce various smelling carboxylic acids. The abundance of carboxylic acids on the skin is associated with mosquito attraction.

Why are some people less prone to mosquito bites?

Experts believe that some people may emit certain compounds that reduce the flight ability or attractiveness of mosquitoes. In other words, the body surface of these individuals secretes natural mosquito repellents.

In addition, research has also discovered that malaria can alter odor molecules on humans by infecting them, increasing human attractiveness to mosquitoes and thus enhancing the transmission of malaria.

Experts advise not to believe that mosquito biting is related to acidic body conditions. The pH level of the human body will be maintained at a certain value and will not change significantly due to dietary habits.