How to protect yourself from mosquitoes
An unlucky 20 percent of the population is highly attractive to mosquitoes thanks to their blood type, metabolism and genetics.
But even that group of the population can make themselves less of a mosquito target. According to Dr. Sherry Ingraham with Advanced Dermatology, mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing and movement, which often makes arms and legs more susceptible.
Ingraham also recommends wearing insect repellent from head to toe, and she says a chemical-based repellent with DEET is the most effective. Products with 20 percent DEET can be effective for up to five hours.
Insect repellent should be applied five minutes after sunscreen.
Once you are bitten, avoid scratching. Take an oral antihistamine or apply hydrocortisone to the bite twice daily.
Meantime, the CDC is also warning parts of the country - including the Houston area - that have the right conditions for mosquitoes to spread deadly diseases. The mosquitoes can carry the deadly and more common Zika virus, but they can also carry Dengue and Yellow fever.
