Question

Reason for Continuing Mosquito Bite While Holding Breath
When a mosquito bites me and I hold my breath for at least 20 seconds, the mosquito is not able to remove its proboscis. I thought that perhaps the reduction of oxygen in my blood might cause that, but the mosquito is still able to continue engorging on my blood. That suggests me that, as she can continue drinking my oxygen deplenished blood, that is probably not the reason she cannot retrieve her proboscis. Is it possible that the reduction of oxygen in my blood causes a reaction in my skin the prevents the removal of the proboscis? Or is there another factor that I have not considered? I am curious to the answer.

Answer 1

reduction of oxygen does not hamper the time period during which the mosquito feeds itself. nor any of the montioned factors do. when Mosquitos insert their proboscis into the epidermal layer they release an enzyme which prevents the blood to be clotted suddenly.And the red swollen mark is due to the same enzyme.