Are You a Mosquito Magnet? Here’s the Shocking Truth
Have you ever noticed that mosquitoes seem to find you no matter where you are, even in a crowd? Science now offers an intriguing explanation for why some people are true “mosquito magnets.”
It's Not Just About Blood Type or Diet
There have been many theories to explain why mosquitoes prefer certain individuals. Some believe it’s due to blood type, blood sugar levels, gender, or even eating garlic or bananas. However, according to Leslie Vosshall, a renowned scientist at The Rockefeller University, most of these explanations lack solid scientific evidence.
Instead, recent research points toward a more consistent factor: body odour driven by skin chemistry.
The Real Culprit: Fatty Acids on the Skin
Vosshall and her former postdoctoral researcher Maria Elena De Obaldia explored whether individual differences in skin scent could explain mosquito attraction. Their study, published in Cell, suggests that certain fatty acids naturally present on human skin make some people significantly more attractive to mosquitoes.
These fatty acids are part of our skin oil, or sebum. When broken down by skin bacteria, they produce distinct body odours. Some of these odours act like powerful magnets for mosquitoes.
Study Reveals Surprising Results
To test their theory, researchers conducted a detailed three-year study. Eight participants wore nylon stockings on their forearms for six hours daily. These worn nylons were later tested in a special device called a plexiglass olfactometer.
In each trial, mosquitoes were offered a choice between two nylon samples. One subject, labelled Subject 33, stood out dramatically attracting mosquitoes four times more than the next most attractive participant, and a staggering 100 times more than the least attractive person (Subject 19).
According to De Obaldia, “It was clear within seconds that mosquitoes were swarming toward Subject 33’s sample.”
You're Either a Magnet or You're Not
What’s even more interesting is that mosquito preference remained stable over time. Even after years, people who attracted mosquitoes continued to do so despite lifestyle or environmental changes.
Chemical analysis of the skin oil from these individuals showed that those who were mosquito magnets had higher levels of carboxylic acids. These acids help skin bacteria create the unique odours that mosquitoes seem to love.
How Mosquitoes Detect Us
Mosquitoes detect humans using two main types of scent receptors: Orco and IR. To learn more, researchers genetically modified mosquitoes to lack one or both of these receptors.
However, the results were surprising. Even when one receptor system was removed, mosquitoes still managed to identify and prefer high-attraction individuals. This confirms that mosquitoes have a highly redundant and robust sense of smell, designed to help them locate humans at all costs.
Vosshall explains, “Without blood, the female mosquito cannot survive or reproduce. That’s why she has multiple sensory systems working together each with a backup plan.”
Could Changing Our Skin Bacteria Make Us Less Attractive?
One potential solution lies in altering the skin’s microbiome. Scientists speculate that if the skin of a mosquito magnet (like Subject 33) could be coated with the skin bacteria from someone like Subject 19, it might reduce their appeal to mosquitoes.
Vosshall adds, “This idea is still speculative, but it opens the door to the possibility of using skin microbiota or even diet to change how mosquitoes perceive us.”
Conclusion
This research sheds light on why some people are constantly bitten while others are rarely bothered. It highlights the complex biology of mosquitoes and why eliminating their attraction to humans is more difficult than previously thought.
While we may not yet have a foolproof way to avoid mosquito bites, understanding the role of skin chemistry and odour could lead to innovative strategies to protect people, especially in regions where mosquito-borne diseases are common.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
