Dr Akari Sakai *

Mosquito bites not only make you itchy and are annoying, but can also give you serious diseases such as Dengue, Zika, Japanese encephalitis and Malaria. You need to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites.

Mosquito bites not only make you itchy and annoyed, but can also give you serious diseases. Photo freepik.com

Why are you a mosquito magnet?

Some people are indeed more prone to mosquito bites than others. One of the factors known to date is high body temperature. People who drink alcohol, pregnant women and children are more likely to lure mosquitoes due to their higher body temperatures. Other factors include sweat, genetic factors, skin microbiota and body odour.

Some factors cannot be changed and it’s difficult to do anything about it, but it is important to know the habits of mosquitoes and take smart measures to avoid mosquito bites.

1. Wash your feet every day.

Mosquito-bite-prone people have a certain odour on their feet. The odour is caused by the decomposition of sweat and sebum by the person's specific skin flora.

Wash feet well with soap every day and occasionally disinfecting feet with alcohol. Change socks frequently to keep feet dry. It is also important to dry the shoes well, as those bacteria can multiply if the inside of the shoe is not dry

2. Keep your property dry

Empty, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like buckets, planters, toys or trash containers to remove mosquito eggs and larvae. Eliminate as many dark and humid places as possible, which mosquitoes love.

3. Wipe sweat off frequently

Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of sweat. When you sweat, wipe it off frequently with a towel or shower off and keep yourself clean and dry all the time.

4. Use insect repellents that contain DEET or picaridin

Repellents containing DEET and picaridin are the safest and most effective. DEET can generally be used from six months of age and older, and the higher the concentration, the longer it acts. Picaridin can be used at any age. However, always do follow instructions on the label.

Natural or homemade repellents are not recommended due to their limited effectiveness.

If you’re also wearing sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first, then the insect repellent. Spraying repellent to clothes also helps as they can mask the smell of our sweat.

5. Stay close to a fan

Mosquitoes cannot fly well when there’s wind and fan’s wind will disperse those attractants coming from our body, such as carbon dioxide (as we breath), or body odour.

6. Cover your skin with loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes

Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing like yoga pants. Colour also matters. Choose light-coloured clothing as mosquitoes tend to prefer darker, blackish colours that can be clearly identified by their eyes.

7. Take extra caution when mosquitoes are active

During the day, mosquitoes hide in grass and under trees and become active when the sun begins to set. They are most active from dusk to dawn. Be extra careful when going out during this time and stay away from grassy areas. Family Medical Practice

Dr. Akari Sakai. Photo courtesy of Family Medical Practice

* Dr Akari Sakai is a Dermatologist at Family Medical Practice who brings over 13 years of experience. She earned her MD from Niigata University School of Medicine in 2011 and began her Dermatology career at the same university hospital. In 2018, she became a board-certified dermatologist with the Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA). Dr Akari treats a broad range of skin conditions for all ages, specialising in hair and nail diseases, as well as inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and contact dermatitis.

To book an appointment with Dr Akari Sakai, please contact our FMP medical centre at 95 Thảo Điền, District 2, HCM City; via phone at (+84) 28 3744 2000; or email d2.reception@vietnammedicalpractice.com.

Family Medical Practice - FMP Healthcare Group operates medical centres in major cities including HCM, Hà Nội and Đà Nẵng, offering consultations with international doctors, check-up centres, and emergency ambulance services. In HCM City, we have clinics in Districts 1, 2, and 7, along with the Care1 - Executive Health Check-Up Centre and internationally accredited *9999 emergency ambulance services.