Do Mosquito Bites Rake Blood Sugar?
WouterDespite what many people believe, mosquito bites are not a cause of high blood sugar. In fact, some people who have diabetes actually have a lower tolerance for mosquito bites than others.
Mosquitoes can be a nuisance and a painful source of itch. You may be able to reduce itching with an over-the-counter antihistamine. Another good way to get rid of the itching is to apply hydrocortisone cream or a calamine lotion.
A recent study has shown that a mosquito’s sense of smell is not limited to a scent that you give off. In fact, it is triggered by certain substances, such as uric acid. You might be a target for mosquitoes if you have high levels of uric acid.
The same study found that feeding sugar solutions to young tiger mosquitoes delayed their search for red velvet blood of the human host. It also increased the concentration of the protein vitellogenin, which is important to the egg yolk.
Although blood sugar levels are not the underlying cause of mosquito bites, it can make you feel more pain and discomfort. Diabetics should avoid eating foods with high sugar content and exercise regularly. If you do get bitten, it’s wise to apply a cold cloth to the affected area to help soothe the itch. You might also find that applying a calamine lotion or using an antibiotic ointment will help relieve the itch.
According to the University of Connecticut Medical Center, a mosquito’s ability to detect carbon dioxide is not limited to a smell that you give off. In fact, mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide from as far away as half a football field.
