Warm weather is finally here, which means I am in my backyard grilling and gardening. It also means I am being bitten by mosquitoes. I say I draw them to the sugar in my blood. My brother, being the jokester he is, says the mosquitoes have diabetes and need my insulin lol. While they are feasting on my blood, they leave him alone. I am convinced that mosquitoes bite me more because I have diabetes. But is it fact or fiction? Do mosquitoes bite diabetics more?

Why am I a Mosquito Magnet, While Others Around Me are Not?

Here’s a fun fact: only female mosquitoes bite because they need blood protein for their eggs. However, it’s a myth that females bite diabetics more. In fact, mosquitoes get their sugar from the nectar of flowers, so they don’t need my sugary blood. But there are reasons you are a mosquito magnet, while others are not. Here are a few common reasons they bite you more:

  • You are type O
  • You are pregnant
  • You are overweight
  • You are drinking alcohol
  • You are sweaty
  • You are drinking beer or eating bananas
  • You are wearing orange, red, or dark colors
  • You have a warmer body temperature
  • You are wearing a floral perfume

Although it’s a myth that bugs bite diabetics more, it’s important for you to prevent bug bites. The obvious reason is that they spread viruses like West Nile and Zika. Also, it’s hard not to scratch the itch. Scratching can lead to cutting the skin, which makes it easy for bacteria to enter, leading to infection. I’ve had cellulitis, which is a skin infection. It led to hospitalization and antibiotics by IV and mouth, so I know the dangers of broken skin. And having diabetes makes it harder to fight infections for many reasons, such as a weakened immune system, nerve damage, and reduced blood flow.

Dangers of DEET

DEET is an active ingredient in repellent products. While it does a great job of protecting you from bugs, it is also a chemical. DEET is linked to severe skin reactions and neurological problems, such as seizures. For that reason, they do not sell products containing over 10% of DEET in Europe because of its risks.

Natural Alternatives to DEET

There are natural alternatives to using DEET, including:

  • Spraying a DEET-free spray such as Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Insect Repellent plus Sunscreen SPF50
  • Using natural repellent sprays, such as STEM and All Terrain, Herbal Armor Natural Insect Repellent
  • Applying Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Body Lotion or any coconut-scented lotion
  • Using scents mosquitoes hate, such as lavender, clove, peppermint, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and rosemary

Other Things You Can Do to Deter Mosquitoes:

  • Empty standing water in bird baths, kiddie pools, empty pots, and dog bowls. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
  • Use a citronella candle
  • Use a natural backyard spray, such as Cutter Natural Bug Control Spray, which is safe around children and pets
  • Wear long sleeves and pants

How to Treat Bites

If you have a bug bite, do not scratch! First, wash the bite with soap and water. Second, you can apply a cold pack. Finally, you can use the treatments below to stop the itch:

  • Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the skin
  • Apply calamine lotion
  • Apply hydrocortisone cream
  • Apply aloe vera
  • Apply toothpaste which will act as an astringent and draw venom from the wound. The menthol will also cool the skin.

Diabetes and Skin Issues

Speaking of itching, diabetics are prone to itchy skin and scalp because of high blood sugar. Read my post for the reasons and treatments (https://backtonaturediabetic.com/itchy-scalp-and-skin-its-your-diabetes/).

History of Insects and Diabetes

Since we are discussing diabetes and insects, I thought I’d share a fun fact about another insect with a direct correlation to diabetes, ants. Did you know ants were one of the first glucose urine tests for diabetes? In Ancient India, patients suspected of having diabetes had their urine tested with the help of ants. If the ants rushed to the sweet urine, the diagnosis was diabetes (https://defeatdiabetes.org/diabetes-history/).

Conclusion

Despite seeming obvious that mosquitoes would prefer and bite diabetics for our sweet blood, this is a myth, as other factors are at play, such as blood type. Therefore, high blood sugar does not attract mosquitoes. However, try to prevent bites with the methods above. And treat bites right away to prevent scratching, which increases the risk of open skin which can lead to infections. There are many natural remedies you can use for prevention and treatment.