Buzz
Some people are like a mosquito magnet. Personally, I get a lot of bites when I’m not using bug spray, and I noticed I became even more irresistible to them during pregnancy—I was practically a buffet! There are a few factors that explain this phenomenon.
They’re drawn to your breath
We breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, which is just how our metabolism works. Mosquitoes (and many other biting insects) use this as their first clue when searching for a meal, by detecting the carbon dioxide 'plume' that we release into the air.
The bigger you are, the more carbon dioxide you exhale. This could partly explain why mosquitoes seem to prefer biting adults over children. And if you're working out, you'll exhale even more.
However, movement disturbs this carbon dioxide cloud. If you're running, you're breathing out CO2, but you're also constantly outrunning it. A mosquito caught downwind of you will struggle to keep up.
You can also disrupt the cloud in a different way by sitting in a breezy spot or turning on a fan. By blowing away the carbon dioxide, you're making it more difficult for mosquitoes to find you.
Once a mosquito detects your scent, it will start searching for something large and warm – namely, you. Some studies suggest mosquitoes can locate you more easily if you wear dark or bright clothing, although even those in light clothes still get bitten often.
They use their senses to detect and taste your skin.
If you were to taste your own skin and that of your friends (please don’t actually do this), you’d probably notice everyone has a slightly different flavor. Research into mosquito preferences reveals that certain species are drawn to the flavors linked to specific genetics. We each carry a unique mix of bacteria on our skin, which seems to influence which mosquitoes are attracted to us.
It’s tough to offer one-size-fits-all advice on how to become less appealing to mosquitoes. Studies show that people may get bitten more if they've been drinking alcohol or have a certain blood type, but these factors likely differ between mosquito species. (Much of the research is focused on the mosquitoes that transmit malaria, for instance; they’re not the same type that bite you in your backyard during dusk in the US.)
Many mosquitoes are particularly attracted to lactic acid, which is found in sweat. If you’ve been sweating, taking a shower or wiping off the sweat (perhaps with baby wipes) before heading into mosquito-heavy areas could help.
Your body might respond more intensely to mosquito bites.
Just because you seem to get more itchy, irritating mosquito bites than a friend doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been bitten more; it could be that your body has a stronger reaction to them.
The itching from a mosquito bite is your immune system’s response. In essence, you're allergic to the saliva of the mosquito. This reaction can vary from mild to severe, and it may even change as you age. For instance, when I was pregnant, mosquito bites were incredibly itchy, while at other times, they’re just a small nuisance.
Personally, I rely on a device called Zap-It, which delivers a small electric shock to the bite, breaking down the histamine. However, you can also deal with the discomfort by taking allergy medication.
