blood type and mosquitoes

[Melissa_dwl]

any relationship between them? is blood type B attacts mosquitoes most?

[5029]

I've heard that blood type B attracts them more than any other

[Darkmoon]

As far as I know, and I may not know a heck of a lot when it comes to this, but I've heard that it's the level of blood sugar that makes mosquitoes like you more. The sweeter you are the more they bite. I hope someone knows for sure!

[Pissgums]

All I can say is that my Dad is type B, and is bitten to hell, but doesn't react, just gets little bite marks. My Mum is type A, but doesn't get bitten very often, but when she does, she swells up. I'm AB. I get bitten to hell, and swell up!

[n8talie]

This sounds bizzare to me but I get bitten loads my doctor told me that it is to do with how much carbon dioxide and heat your body gives off???? Does that mean the stinkier the spotty!??!

[Schrodinger]

Mosquitoes are attracted by heat and carbon dioxide. I believe that hormones can also attract them - a doctor informed us that they seem to zero in on pregnant women. This may, however, be more to do with their body temperature being slightly higher than normal. This would also tie in with their attraction to women varying at different times of the month.

[catpatch]

I'm blood type O. When I was underweight/slim (more years ago than I care to remember) I never ever got bitten. Now that I'm overweight I get bitten by every mosquito that kind find skin space!

[horgo]

When I was in Australia I was told eating vegemite deterred mosquitoes, because of the Iron in it? Could be an old wives tale but I rarely got bitten and ate a lot of vegemite (marmite).

[gem]

I'm blood type O+ and got eaten alive last week during the night. But my boyfriend didn't get bitten at all! I even got a bite on my eyelid!

[PaulYukochan]

I know if you drink Gin and Tonic then you are unlikely to get bitten. Something to do with Quinine and alcohol in the blood, which would suggest they can smell

[Flanj]

I think it is more due to the vitamins in your body that your blood type. Lots of vitamin B helps prevent bites which is why Horgo found Vegemite so effective. Vitamin B is high in yeast which has correlates with heat and carbon dioxide.

[roddy_mac]

My blood group is B+, but I've never (tankfully) been bitten by a mosie. Although I do drink copious amounts of G+T's though!!

[athos]

As far as I am aware mosquitos are attracted to a certain type of pheromone not just a blood group - I'm not sure if the two are realted but basically it boils down to your smell. thats why some people are bitten far more often than others despite being in the same conditions.

[Resholden]

Not sure about blood groups, but Vitamin B is poisonous to mosquitos- drink Guinness, eat Marmite and the leave you alone!

[larabell]

also interesting - I read in the BMJ 2 years ago that pregnant women were more likley to be bitten than non-pregnant specifically because they exhale about 20 per cent more and because their body temps are higher, meaning they release more smells from their skin

[planetpetey]

i dont know about blood types, but i know by experience that if u eat garlic, or citrus fruits regularly you get bitten less!

[athos]

As far as I am aware its not your blood type that the bugs are attracted to its your pheromones. i.e. a specific type of smell that we all exude. The same applies for attraction you are attracted to people with a specific pheromone relative to your own thats why you find really beautiful women dating seriously ugly guys and vive versa.

[treaclefight]

well i was told mosquitoes are atracted to the lactic acid we generate when we use our muscles, so my ex who was a fitness freak got bitten to hell, while i (couch potato and surfer) never get bitten, trying to find some authority for this theory as it doesn't fit in with anything you guys are saying

[jhart999]

Regardless of blood type would it be true that mossies generally go for younger people because their skin is easier to penetrate? I ask because whenever we holidayed somewhere hot when I was a kid my borther and I would always get bitten something rotten; whereas, my parents (especially my tough-skinned Dad) only got a few bites. I recall one holiday at a Parisian caravan park during a heatwave which was literally ruined by the little blighters because, despite the opressive heat, I was forced to wrap myself in my sleeping bag all night to reduce the biting. I still woke up with fresh ones every morning, though :(

[lornar1]

I went to Honduras last year and got bitten to death by mosquitos, precisely about 50 on each leg. no mozzy repellant worked at all for me. no1 else got even half as many as me. then ive recently found out im B- eg second rarest, im sure there must be a link!