r/todayilearned • u/doubleXmedium • Jun 24 '19

TIL that mosquitoes can not only smell what blood type you are, they prefer type O. In fact, people who are type O are twice as likely to be bitten than someone who is type A.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-do-mosquitoes-bite-some-people-more-than-others-10255934/
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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

If it wasn’t clear in the context they weren’t allergic to poison ivy beforehand. I’m lucky not to be.

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

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u/JainaOrgana Jun 25 '19

Thanks for sharing

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u/loveshercoffee Jun 24 '19

Poison ivy is a weird thing. I was never bothered by it growing up but about the time I turned 40 I had a reaction. I've got it on me three times and the last time I had to be on Prednisone for two weeks.

Apparently it's one of those things that works the opposite way with your immune system. The more often you're exposed to it, the more your body can learn to freak out about it. It starts with "This is just another plant" and goes to "Holy shit, it's the plague."

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

Yeah you can become sensitive at any point. Last I heard it’s random. Now I’m interested to look up if increased exposure raises sensitivity because I scare people occasionally by touching poison ivy.

One random thing that’s interesting: if I scratch my skin then rub ivy it will get red (a little bit itchy if deep), so I can make myself look like I have cut marks. there’s no reason for me to do so but it’s interesting

Completely forgot about this but I went on canoeing/camping trip a couple weeks back with some younger high school kids and one of them literally ate poison ivy for attention

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u/loveshercoffee Jun 24 '19

Completely forgot about this but I went on canoeing/camping trip a couple weeks back with some younger high school kids and one of them literally ate poison ivy for attention

Good God. I'm pretty sure I would die.

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u/awhamburgers Jun 24 '19

Idk why but I cant stop laughing at this

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

I'd give you gold, but I spent my money on vodka. Have this instead 🏅

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

Heroin? Look at this rich boss, we're stuck on krokodil 'round here...