Beneath the surface of our skin is a thriving ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. This microbiome plays an important role that keeps our skin youthful, resilient, and protects us from harmful pathogens. Studies also show that a well-balanced microbiome can promote wound healing, defend against infections, and even counteract the damaging effects of UV rays.

There has been a growing awareness of the skin microbiome and so many skincare companies are now introducing 'probiotics' for skin.

How Effective Are These?

The idea of using bacteria to improve skin health is not new. It has been there from as early as 1992, when scientists experimented with applying bacteria to treat acne and seborrhea, which is a skin condition that causes itching and flaking. The skincare industry today offers a wide range of probiotic-infused products, from cleansers and serums to moisturizers. All of them promise to rebalance the skin microbiome.

However, a closer look also reveals that many of these products do not actually contain live bacteria. Instead they rely on prebiotics, which are the nutrients that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria, or postbiotics, which are the byproducts of bacteria that may benefit the skin.

The Challenge of Keeping Bacteria Alive

Why don’t most skincare products contain live probiotics? The answer lies in the difficulty of keeping bacteria alive throughout the manufacturing and storage process. Even if live bacteria make it into a product, there’s no guarantee they will survive long enough to take effect on the skin, where they must compete with millions of existing microbes.

Can Live Bacteria Treat Skin Conditions?

Despite the challenges, some researchers are testing whether live bacteria can treat specific skin conditions like eczema and acne. One promising approach focuses on the relationship between Staphylococcus aureus—a bacterium commonly found on the skin of eczema patients—and beneficial bacteria like Staphylococcus hominis, which can naturally fight off harmful microbes.

A 2021 clinical trial tested a cream containing live S. hominis on eczema patients. After one week, participants saw reduced S. aureus colonization and improvements in redness and itching. A larger phase two trial is now underway to evaluate long-term effectiveness.

Similarly, in a 2018 study, scientists performed microbiome transplants on eczema patients using Roseomonas mucosa bacteria from healthy skin. After 16 weeks, symptoms improved by over 50%.

Can Probiotics Prevent Skin Aging and Cancer?

Beyond treating skin conditions, probiotics may have broader benefits. In animal studies, a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis was found to produce a compound that protects against UV-induced skin cancer. While human trials are needed, these findings suggest that probiotics could one day play a role in skin cancer prevention.

Some studies also suggest that prebiotics and postbiotics may improve overall skin health. Ingredients like inulin, found in some skincare products, create a favorable environment for beneficial microbes. Additionally, bacteria found in fermented dairy products may help boost ceramide production, which strengthens the skin barrier and improves hydration.

COVID vaccines saved millions of lives. As countries worldwide raced to provide relief and protection from the deadly coronavirus, rumours began to circulate about vaccines. Hundreds of false reports emerged following major developments. One such allegation was that the vaccines contained viruses that cause AIDS (HIV). But are these claims factual, or do they need to be debunked?

Misconceptions about these vaccines stem from misunderstandings about how the immune system and vaccines work. It is crucial to clarify that AIDS is caused by HIV, which is entirely different from SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Do COVID-19 Vaccines Contain HIV?

No, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any virus that causes AIDS. The vaccines use messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) technology, which teaches our bodies how to recognise and combat the coronavirus. They do not contain any live viruses, including HIV.

What Are The Different Types Of COVID Vaccines?

Each coronavirus vaccine causes the immune system to create antibodies, which fight infection with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines use a harmless version of a spikelike structure called an S protein on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. There are multiple types of coronavirus vaccines.

mRNA vaccine

An mRNA vaccine gives cells instructions for how to make the S protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. After vaccination, the body's muscle cells begin making the protein pieces and showing them on cell surfaces. This causes the body to create antibodies. Then if you catch the COVID-19 virus, these antibodies are used to help clear out the virus.

Once the protein pieces are made, your cells break down the instructions and get rid of them. The mRNA in the vaccine doesn't enter the nucleus of the cell, where DNA is kept. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA.

Vector vaccine

In this type of vaccine, material from the virus that causes COVID-19 is placed in a modified version of a different virus. This different virus is called a viral vector. The viral vector gives cells instructions to make copies of the COVID-19 virus S protein.

Once the cells display the S proteins on their surfaces, the immune system responds by creating antibodies and defensive white blood cells. If infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 happens later, the antibodies help clear out the virus.

Viral vector vaccines can't cause infection with the COVID-19 virus or the viral vector virus. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a vector vaccine that's no longer used in the United States.

Protein subunit vaccine

Subunit vaccines include only the parts of a virus that best stimulate the immune system. This type of COVID-19 vaccine has harmless S proteins in it. Once the immune system recognises the S proteins, it creates antibodies and defensive white blood cells. If infection with the COVID-19 virus happens later, the antibodies help clear out the virus. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.

If you are someone who suffers from dry and itchy eyes, a recent update may not be the best news for you. As per the enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 75,000 cases of eye drop solution were voluntarily recalled nationwide by the BRS Analytical Service, which is a pharmaceutical testing lab.

Why Are These Products Recalled?

The recall came in the backdrop of FDA audit at BRS Analytical Service, which found a number of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) deviations. These are a set of regulations enforced by the FDA to ensure that manufacturers use safe practices to produce pharmaceutical products, reports NBC news.

"cGMP deviations may lead to products of unacceptable quality, and it is not possible to rule out patient risks resulting from use of these products,” said AvKare, which is a manufacturer of medical, surgical, and pharmaceutical items, which had originally reported the recall.

Furthermore, as per the enforcement record, the recall is also "due to a lack of assurance to sterility". These products are also described as "eye lubricants", which help relieve dry and irritated eyes.

Which Products Have Been Recalled?

NBC news reports that the recall includes ophthalmic solutions shipped over a two year period from: May 26, 2023 until April 21, 2025, according to AvKare.

• NDC# 50268-043-15 Artificial Tears Ophthalmic Solution
• NDC# 50268-066-15 Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Gel 1%
• NDC# 50268-068-15 Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution
• NDC# 50268-126-15 Lubricant Eye Drops Solution
• NDC# 50268-678-15 Polyvinyl Alcohol Ophthalmic Solution

So, What Can You Do Instead?

Dr Anita Sethi, who is Principal Director and HOD Ophthalmology, Max Multi Specialty Centre at Panchsheel Park recommends to stay away from natural remedies like haldi (turmeric) or ginger from putting inside the eye.

In absence of eye lubricants, she recommends certain daily habits that can help protect the eyes from dryness. "In the extremely dry and hot weather, we need to protect our eyes by wearing sunglasses or caps and avoid the direct dust and wind going into the eyes when we are sitting in an air-conditioned room or the fan avoid the blast directly in your face, like when you're driving. Keep the vents so that it is away from your face and not going directly into the eyes."

When asked if there are anything one can eat to ensure their eyes are not dry, she said, "food and nutrients that help with dry eye basically just maintaining the health of the eye, which is foods rich in vitamin E, antioxidants. Coloured vegetables and fruits and even maintaining your thyroid and vitamin D levels because these also contributes to dry eye."

The key to ensure that your eyes are protected from environmental factors like sun, dust, and eat, especially for those who work outdoors or spend long hours on screen, she recommends investing in good sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.

"For those who are using computers a lot, you need to blink your eyes constantly, take breaks in between, and drink a lot of water. Dehydration is also contributing factor to dry eye." She also recommends using a zero number protective glasses and computer glasses that can decrease strain and dry eye.

When summer arrives and the air grows thick with warmth, it brings with it an unwelcome guest—mosquitoes. That irritating buzz in your ear, the sharp sting on your skin, and the maddening itch afterward can quickly turn a pleasant evening into a nightmare. But have you ever noticed that mosquitoes seem to swarm around you more than others? If you find yourself swatting away bites while your companions remain unbothered, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it.

Turns out, mosquitoes do play favorites, and science has a few fascinating explanations for why that might be. From your blood type to your wardrobe, your scent to your sweat, here’s a deep dive into the weird and wild biological reasons why mosquitoes might just love you more—and what you can do about it.

Before we decode their behavior, it’s important to understand the threat they pose. Mosquitoes are among the deadliest creatures on earth, not because of their bite itself, but because of what they can carry. From Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya to Zika Virus and Japanese Encephalitis, mosquitoes are silent vectors for disease that impact millions globally. According to the World Health Organization, mosquito-borne illnesses claim over a million lives each year—making them far more than a backyard pest.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes don’t bite for food. Male mosquitoes survive entirely on nectar, while females seek out blood to obtain proteins vital for egg development. That’s right—only the females bite, and they do it for reproduction.

But mosquitoes don’t choose their targets randomly. Their decision to bite you is rooted in biology and chemistry. Female mosquitoes are equipped with a suite of sensory tools that allow them to detect carbon dioxide from nearly 160 feet away, identify specific skin odors, and even spot you based on the color of your clothes. Here are five weird biological reasons mosquitoes may find you more irresistible than others.

1. Your Blood Type

There’s long been speculation that mosquitoes prefer certain blood types, and science offers some support. A 2004 study found that mosquitoes landed on people with Type O blood nearly twice as often as those with Type A. A more recent 2019 study reinforced this finding, observing mosquitoes feeding more frequently from Type O blood samples.

While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, researchers believe it’s related to secretions on the skin associated with specific blood types—particularly in people known as “secretors,” whose blood type antigens are found not just in their blood but in their saliva, sweat, and skin.

2. The Color of Your Clothing

Mosquitoes are highly visual and rely on sight to locate hosts, especially in the daylight. Studies show that darker colors—black, navy, and red—stand out more to mosquitoes. These colors retain more heat and contrast strongly with green, natural environments, making you an easy target.

Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing offers more than just summer comfort—it can be your first line of mosquito defense.

3. You Emit More Carbon Dioxide

Every time you exhale, you release carbon dioxide, one of the key cues mosquitoes use to track humans. Larger individuals, people who are pregnant, or anyone who’s physically active emits more CO₂ and is more likely to attract attention.

According to research published in Chemical Senses, mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide using an organ called the maxillary palp, which enables them to lock in on their target from a shocking distance of up to 164 feet.

4. Your Body Odor

Human sweat contains a mix of compounds—like lactic acid, ammonia, and uric acid—that mosquitoes find irresistible. Newer research highlights the role of carboxylic acids, which are produced when beneficial skin bacteria break down sebum (the waxy substance secreted by your skin).

Interestingly, even the most expensive perfumes or colognes may not mask these natural odors. Genetics, hygiene, and lifestyle factors like exercise can all impact how your skin smells to a mosquito.

5. Alcohol

Yes, even your choice of beverage can make a difference. A small study found that mosquitoes were more likely to land on participants after they had consumed beer. While the sample size was small and the findings modest, it raises interesting questions about metabolism, body temperature, and skin chemistry post-consumption.

Why Some People Swell More Than Others After Bites?

Mosquito bites don’t affect everyone equally. Some people develop small red dots; others end up with itchy welts. The difference lies in your immune response. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva that contains anticoagulants and proteins. Your immune system releases histamine to combat these foreign substances, which causes inflammation and itchiness. People with stronger immune responses tend to have more visible reactions.

Remedies To Protect Yourself

Forget citronella candles and unverified home remedies. The most effective repellents contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. For those preferring natural alternatives, plant-based repellents such as neem oil, lavender, and citronella can help, though they may need more frequent application.

Want an extra layer of protection? Look for sunscreens that also offer mosquito repellent features—perfect for beach days and hikes alike.

How to Make Your Home Mosquito-Free?

A few strategic changes can turn your home into a mosquito fortress:

• Eliminate stagnant water in pots, buckets, and bird baths—mosquitoes breed in still water.
• Use ceiling fans to disrupt mosquito flight patterns.
• Install window screens and keep doors shut during dawn and dusk.
• Add mosquito-repelling plants like marigold, basil, and lemongrass to your garden.
• Taking cues from global solutions like the Caribbean’s approach to community fogging and public awareness can also make a lasting impact.

Understanding why mosquitoes target you is more than a fun fact—it’s a survival skill. Armed with knowledge and the right protection, you can reclaim your summer without constantly itching or worrying about disease.