IU has revealed that she suffers from Skeeter Syndrome, which is a severe allergic reaction to mosquito bites.
On December 19, IU appeared as a guest on the YouTube channel 'Yoo In Radio,' where she shared her experience with the condition. IU explained, "I have a serious reaction when I get bitten by mosquitoes. It causes a large lump, like a hunchback bump."
She went on to add, "It gets so bad that I have to take antibiotics. It oozes and hurts, it's like an allergy to mosquito bites." In response, DJ Yoo In Na commented, "I looked it up, and it’s called Skeeter Syndrome," to which IU agreed, saying, "That’s right. The area where I get bitten swells up like edema and even forms blisters."
IU also revealed the emotional and physical toll of the condition. She shared, "Mosquitoes always bite my face, and it leaves scars. The areas where I was bitten as a child still have damaged skin. There are spots where the skin has hardened to the point that even if I poke it with a needle, it doesn’t hurt," drawing sympathy from listeners.
She added with a sigh, "I hate mosquitoes even more than cockroaches because of this."
Meanwhile, IU is gearing up for the release of the 2025 Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' and is also set to appear in MBC's upcoming drama '21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' (working title).