Insect bites

[frothy]

Got bitten really bad a few weeks ago on holiday in Greece the both of us,but the Fuckers have followed us back here

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

We have more midges (mosquitoes) and horsefly’s in the UK nowadays, due to climate change and the mild winters.
Apart from lathering insect repellent all over you (itself a health risk. So best avoided unless there’s a high risk of malaria) and wearing insect netting & full body armour, there’s no stopping them from biting you.
However taking vitamin B complex tablets will help their bites to heal quickly rather than hang around for weeks being itchy and horrible.

 

[BlueMoonday]

We have more midges (mosquitoes) and horsefly’s in the UK nowadays, due to climate change and the mild winters.
Apart from lathering insect repellent all over you (itself a health risk. So best avoided unless there’s a high risk of malaria) and wearing insect netting & full body armour, there’s no stopping them from biting you.
However taking vitamin B complex tablets will help their bites to heal quickly rather than hang around for weeks being itchy and horrible.

Genuine question - what's the health risk with repellant? I swear by "jungle formula" when I go abroad. I forgot it when I went to Lisbon and I came back with 6 whopping mosquito bites.

Whenever I apply Jungle Formula they leave me alone. It is industrial stuff, I sprayed some on my belt by accident and it had a bad reaction with the leather.

 

[mexico1970]

Sandlewood soap is excellent, and it has no recognisable downsides.

 

[Pedestrian]

Try taking a more regular antihistamine like piriton if you become symptomatic with itching from the bites. Too many people use a daily antihistamine which is not strong enough. If you stop the itching you reduce the risk of cellulitis and need for antibiotics. Same for hay fever which is at high levels this year.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Genuine question - what's the health risk with repellant? I swear by "jungle formula" when I go abroad. I forgot it when I went to Lisbon and I came back with 6 whopping mosquito bites.

Whenever I apply Jungle Formula they leave me alone. It is industrial stuff, I sprayed some on my belt by accident and it had a bad reaction with the leather.

Avon 'Skin so Soft' spray works a treat at a repellent (Amazon link). Jungle Formula contains DEET which is safe to use (Safety Data Sheet) but works on contact rather than actually keeping the bugs away.

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

Genuine question - what's the health risk with repellant? I swear by "jungle formula" when I go abroad. I forgot it when I went to Lisbon and I came back with 6 whopping mosquito bites.

Whenever I apply Jungle Formula they leave me alone. It is industrial stuff, I sprayed some on my belt by accident and it had a bad reaction with the leather.

Well I’m not a doctor or what have you but my personal experience is that the repellants make my skin itch and cause havoc if applied to broken skin.
And they don’t stop you getting bitten, they just exude a scent that’s supposed to mask the smell of ripe human flesh so as to confuse the mosquitoes and make you less of a target - but if one happens to bump into you then it’ll still have a meal out of you.

For dealing with bites I just take vitamin B to boost the repair process and take an over the counter antihistamine if I any ever give me an allergic reaction.

I suppose the worst advice will come from the companies who profit by encouraging us to buy overpriced chemicals when we venture abroad and the best examples will be seen by looking to the people who live in countries where mosquitoes / midgies are rife (Brazil / Scotland). From what I see of it they don’t generally use skin applied repellants - they just dress appropriately (wear light colours, wear long sleeves in the evenings) avoid the worst places (don’t hang around near still water) and maybe burn a citronella candle or oil lamp on their veranda at night.

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

Avon 'Skin so Soft' spray works a treat at a repellent (Amazon link). Jungle Formula contains DEET which is safe to use (Safety Data Sheet) but works on contact rather than actually keeping the bugs away.

So DEET is safe?.. so doesn’t irritate the skin, can be drunk like mothers milk and doesn’t burn like fuck if you get it in your peepers?

Haha Did you read that safety data sheet?

Causes skin irritation / harmful if swallowed / causes eye irritation (which from personal experience would be better described as pure agony!).

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Natural option in lemon juice, just be careful with any cuts etc

 

[TonyM]

I dont like the sprays so I simply wear a wet suit, gloves, boots and a ski mask at all times.