Mosquitoes are all too familiar in east Tennessee. They thrive in humid climates, and they tend to be real pests when you’re going on hikes in the Smokies or playing in the yard with the family.

Also, the fact that mosquitoes are drawn to some people’s blood more than others isn’t a myth! If you are a person who mosquitoes like to bite, read on to learn more from our AFC Urgent Care TN team.

Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others?

Yes, they do. According to experts, there are a couple of main reasons some people are tastier to mosquitoes than others. One reason is blood type. Studies have shown that mosquitoes prefer people with type O blood nearly twice as much as those with type A blood.

Another reason is that people who exercise often are more prone to mosquito bites, due to the lactic acid secreted in sweat and increase in body temperature. No matter who you are, there are some things you can do to prevent mosquito bites, and we’ve listed them below.

Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Control mosquitoes inside and outside by running an air purifier indoors or planting mosquito-repellent plants outside, like citronella.

Can Mosquito Bites Be Cause for Serious Concern?

It’s possible, but it’s definitely not common. Mosquitoes can cause diseases like malaria and West Nile virus, but this is extremely rare in the United States.

What should be more of a concern in Tennessee is the possibility of an infected mosquito bite. Infection from bites can make their way into the bloodstream, causing even more serious complications, and the bites will often be red and feel warm. If your mosquito bite is showing the signs that we’ve listed below, visit one of our AFC centers as soon as you can!

Signs a Mosquito Bite Is Infected

• A wide area of redness around the bite
• Swelling around the bite
• Pus
• Increasing pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Feeling of warmth around the bite
• Long red line extending out from the bite
• Sores or abscesses on or around the bite
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes)

Our AFC Urgent Care TN team can provide the non-emergency care that you need! Visit one of our locations today.