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Being Hairy can Keep Away Insects

by Savitha C Muppala on Dec 17 2011 7:58 PM

 Being Hairy can Keep Away Insects
Recent research points out that being hairy can reduce the chances of getting bitten by insects.
Hair can be a deterrent for blood sucking insects to tuck in. Hair can also enhance the risk of sensing bugs on the skin so that they are swatted away.

A study showed that people with more hair receive added protection from insect bites. This study also gives us the reason why insects such as ticks, mosquitoes and leeches mostly feed on hairless areas of the body.

Study leader Professor Michael Siva-Jothy said: “The hairs have nerves attached to them and provide us with the ability to detect displacement. By forming a barrier and providing detection, these hairs prolong search time and make detection more likely because the bug has to spend more time clambering over them.”



Source-Medindia


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