If you feel that mosquitoes ignore all your friends, but they always give you special importance, it seems that these insects have an explicit preference for a certain type of food and that you are addressing their culinary needs.
Did you think you only got food? Monsters choose more food than you do and, for them, some people smell more delicious than others. What is not very charming is that you cannot do much about this. A recent study shows that mosquitoes have a genetic preference, but there are many other reasons for choosing their target (blood group, chemicals secreted by your skin, and other natural compounds).
It seems that mosquitoes are attracted to many things and choose their human "prey" according to many considerations that researchers are gradually trying to reveal. Another study shows that these insects are predominantly attracted to people who have a blood group O, but that's not the whole story. The chemicals secreted by the skin play an equally important role in your smell and the natural can also attract or remove the itch, according to inverse.com.
All of these elements are probably mediated by your genes, but also by other factors such as nutrition and colonies of microorganisms that develop in your skin. For example, a study found that if you drink beer you will smell tastier for a musk, but the researchers have not yet managed to figure out why this is happening.
Outside of a tightly-controlled laboratory environment, many non-genetic factors will play a role in how many mosquitos come to suck your blood. Carbon-dioxide is a major mosquito attractant, so the more you exercise, the more you will breathe, and the easier you will be to find. Exercise also makes you sweat, which releases more compounds that smell good to a mosquito. Your clothing choices also play a role — dark colors will make you easier to find. A super savvy shopper would buy zebra-print, as a study last year found that the distinctive stripes probably evolved to ward against biting flies.
Another reason you might feel ravaged while your camping partner feels fine could have to do with your sensitivity to mosquito bites. Some people have strong allergic reactions to mosquito saliva, which results in red, swollen, itchy welts, while other people don’t seem to notice at all. If this is you, an antihistamine could help control the symptoms, in addition to topical anti-itch products.
But, what is happening next...
After puncturing the skin with their mouthparts and feeding on blood, mosquitoes leave hard, itchy bumps. In the blood-feeding process, mosquitoes inject saliva into their host which creates the reactions that cause bite symptoms. Most mosquito bites are harmless and the symptoms subside in a few days.
When a mosquito bites us, we itch due to the residual saliva left behind from the insect’s feasting on our blood! Fortunately, just as Mother Nature has honored us with the presence of these buzzing nuisances, she has provided us with some natural home remedies for mosquito bites.
Remedies
1. Vinegar
When you first notice the itchy bite, try applying a small amount of vinegar directly to the bump. If you have many bites, you may want to take a very hot bath in a tub filled with water and 2 1/2 cups of vinegar. I would personally recommend using organic apple cider vinegar.
2. Aloe
Aloe vera is another excellent remedy for mosquito bites, as well as many other conditions. Not only will it help ease the itching and swelling from the bit, but it will also aid in healing the wound. You can use fresh inner leaf gel directly from an aloe plant or organic aloe juice. They both work well at providing relief.
3. A Dry Bar of Soap
Another remedy for mosquito bits is to rub a bar of dry soap directly on the bite. This will help provide temporary relief to the itching. Remember to wash it off throughly after the itch fades away.
4. Baking Soda & Water
Another simple remedy for mosquito bites is to make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Then apply this paste generously to the affected area. You should feel the swelling and itching subside shortly afterwards.
5. Onion
Other than making you produce tears, a fresh slice of onion can also help take the sting out of a bite. Simply place a fresh slice on the affected area for several minutes until the itching subsides. Be sure to wash the area thoroughly afterwards.
6. Toothpaste
For quick relief from mosquito bites, try applying a small amount of all-natural peppermint or neem-based toothpaste. Allow the paste to dry and leave for as long as desired.
7. Raw Honey
Simply, take a small amount of honey and apply directly to the bite. Honey also has anti-microbial properties that can help prevent infection. I would personally recommend using local raw honey.
8. Lime and/or Lemons
I usually apply a small amount of lime juice directly to the bites. Lemon juice also works well. I have also heard that rubbing the bite with the lemon or lime peel helps, but I usually prefer to use the juice. This also helps in keeping the wound from becoming infected from the grit and grime of fingernails.
9. Essential oils
There are many essential oil that can help provide temporary relief for mosquito bites. My favorites are tea tree, rosemary, neem, lavender, witch hazel and cedar oil. Take a small amount and dilute it with water, then apply directly to the bite.
10. Salt Paste
Take finely ground salt and mix with a small amount of water until you have a thick paste. Apply this salt paste directly to bite. I personally use Himalayan salt and find it works best, but iodized salt will also work. The important thing is to make sure it’s finely ground.
11. Garlic
Try rubbing a piece of raw garlic on the wound. It is possible that you will feel a small amount of mild burning, but you should feel some major relief afterwards. This is not one that I use with my children, and is wise for to use caution when using this natural remedy. The smell of garlic (and neem) will also help repel the mosquitoes from biting you more later.
12. Ozonated Olive Oil
Ozonated olive oil is a natural health remedy in which olive oil is slowly infused with oxygen over a period of 3-6 months. This process changes the oil to an off-white topical cream that can soothe a variety of conditions. It speeds healing and alleviates swelling and redness from insect bites. [1] Simply apply the cream directly to the bite, and the itching and swelling should stop within minutes. If you’re interested in ozonated olive oil, try O2-Zap™, Global Healing Center’s own ozonated olive oil formula. O2-Zap is 100% organic, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.
Sources: