I am a mosquito magnet. And beyond magnet--I think mosquitos spontaneously combust out of my body to bite me. I really don't understand how this happens. I am rather allergic to mosquito bites. Some will be just fine while others will balloon up, become a rash, and then a giant red splotch that takes weeks to heal. It's really not fun. Plus they itch me like crazy. Today was a mosquito attack day. Here were my travels pre-bites and post-bites:
Arrived at church
Left church and drove to work
Left car and walked through the Disneyland parking garage to the Disneyland parking tram (I was feeling lazy)
Rode the tram
Disembarked from the tram and walked a couple hundred yards to Build-A-Bear
Walked into Build-A-Bear and up the stairs
Walked into the break room
Discovered nine--NINE mosquito bites--6 on one arm and 3 on the other
WTF???
Nobody between church and Build-A-Bear got bit. Nobody in the break room got bit. None of my co-workers believed me (they looked at me like between church and work I'd stopped at an infested swamp and gotten bit, and they expected me to pull out a leech or two).
And now I'm sitting in my office. There are no mosquitos around that I can see. Nothing. And five minutes ago--3 bites on my leg! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??? I know for a FACT that they were not there before I sat down at my computer because I actually checked my legs and arms for additional bites. Then suddenly I feel an itch and look down at my leg and there are THREE BITES.
How can I miss the fact that I'm getting bit? Kevin wondered aloud if I have contracted some kind of skin disease or something, because I am the only person in the household to have sustained three bites in FIVE MINUTES. I feel confident that they are actually mosquito bites because the rare times that I've actually noticed a mosquito biting me, the result looks just like this.
I don't believe it's fleas. Scout and Digory are on flea treatment and we're very vigilant about that. Additionally, Scout is very sensitive to fleas and itches incessantly (poor thing) whenever she gets bit. We don't have any standing water in the bedrooms. Kevin, of course, never gets bit.
I really don't understand how this is happening. It doesn't happen all the time, but I rarely get one bite on its own--always several at a time. Yes, Pop, I am using Sting-Eze. I have also tried just about every natural cure and prevention known to man. They don't work.
I found this on a mosquito bite information site:
Why do mosquitoes bite? Actually, it is only the females that bite and they do so out of necessity ratther than pleasure. Female mosquitoes seek blood when they are preparing to lay eggs as they need the nourishment to produce healthy offspring. The mosquito's normal diet of plant juices contains none of the proteins a female needs in order to produce her eggs. For that, she needs a concentrated source of protein, which, unfortunately for us, is blood.
Boy, sure makes you feel bad for those Motherf-ers, doesn't it?
Gah! I hate nature! If I wanted to live with mosquitos I'd move to Minnesota!
UPDATE:
Ha! There is a mosquito in here! I know becuase I just got two more bites and happened to look down and see some flying thing taking off. I smashed everything in sight but don't think I got her. Good thing their lifespans are short.
I believe there is often a lapse of time between when the mosquito bites you and when your body reacts sometimes. Maybe you are being bitten at night and you aren't reacting to a noticeable level for several hours? Or maybe you live in Okeefenokee Anaheim?
Posted by: Sherri at August 13, 2007 08:56 AMWere you and I separated at birth? J. has to shoo me back into the house constantly because the mosquitos? They LOVE me. I get those lovely non-stop itching whelps too, as well as the 50 Mystery Bites in 2 minutes Syndrome. One thing I've found that actually works is just taking an antihistamine when you're covered in bites. I like Claritin because it gets the itching down to a manageable level and doesn't make me sleepy. Trust me, I've tried everything. You should ask J. about the day I sat here with scotch tape all over my legs hoping to suck out the poison. Nope, no dice. Back to the baking soda paste, which is oh-so-sexy.
I feel your itching and pain (but mostly itching).
Hi Sweetie,
This must run in the family, because I have the same problem. I actually get infections. Now, I've discovered two things. One, some of the bites are from spiders. I've even gotten them in bed. I am now a super cleaner in there. Second, somehow liquid laundry detergent dabbed on the bite slows or stops the itch process. Good Luck. Love you. Aunt Sharon
Posted by: Aunt Sharon at August 13, 2007 10:20 AMThis may sound like a weird suggestion, but Bounce fabric softener is a GREAT insect repellant... clothes dried with it (recently) maintain the anti-insect properties, and I can put a single sheet tucked into my horse's halter and keep the flies and mosquitos away for a while. Just a suggestion.
Posted by: Sherri at August 13, 2007 02:26 PMDad has had very good success with using Bull Frog 30SPF sun screen for keeping them away. They don't like the smell of Bull Frog.
Of Coarse Dad needs Bull Frog for sunscreen anyway so it's pretty helpful when he is out and about. I've also heard about the Bounce sheets too.
UGH! Mosquitos are bad girls.
Love, Mom :-)
I was always told mosquitos like to bite the sweet people. I like to think that is true :)
Posted by: Raz at August 14, 2007 07:40 PM