Many of us have noticed a strange pattern: when walking in the forest, one person can bring back dozens of ticks, while others seem to be ignored. For a long time, this was considered a myth or a coincidence. However, a series of new scientific experiments has proven that these dangerous parasites really do have preferences when choosing a victim.
Who is at the greatest risk
A group of researchers conducted laboratory tests in which ticks were placed in an environment with access to samples of different blood groups. The results were quite clear.
The most attractive blood group turned out to be the second group (A). About 36% of the tested ticks chose it. The first group (0) came in second place with a small margin – it interested 32% of the individuals.
The statistics of preferences look like this:
Group A (II): 36% (highest attractiveness).
Group 0 (I): 32%.
Group AB (IV): 17%.
Group B (III): 15% (lowest attractiveness).
How a tick senses its victim
Although blood group plays an important role, a tick detects a person long before direct contact, relying on a complex set of remote signals. The primary marker of a living being for it is the carbon dioxide we exhale. A special organ on the parasite's front legs can detect the concentration of CO2 from a great distance. Upon approaching, the tick begins to react to the infrared radiation from our body and the micro-vibrations of the ground caused by walking.
The parasite makes the final decision to attack based on a person's individual scent. This unique smell is formed by the specific composition of sweat, the characteristics of the skin's microbiome, and even daily diet, which together create a chemical signal that can both attract and repel the pest. Thus, the process of finding a host is a step-by-step biological interaction, where thermal and chemical factors work much earlier than the bite itself.
Experts warn: the results of laboratory studies are not a guarantee of safety. In the wild, a tick is primarily an opportunistic hunter. If you walk past a bush where a parasite is hiding, it will most likely try to attach to you, regardless of your blood group.
It is especially dangerous that ticks are carriers of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. Therefore, regardless of your genetic attractiveness to them, using special repellents, wearing closed clothing, and regular checks after walks remain the only reliable ways to protect yourself.
