I'm sorry for you folks with sweet blood that the mosquitoes like, hubby is the same way. I get a few bites when he's not around, I get none when he is... meanwhile, if I'm out in the sun and get burned at all, I get hives anyhow so we both end up itching.

For those who need the DEET, this may be of some interest:

US EPA DEET Fact Sheet

If you are worried by Mosquitos at a BBQ then you are not drinking enough. Drink rum. Lots.

Wow..... is DEET the new DDT?

Ha Ha.... no


DEET is an insect REPELLANT that may cause a mild skin irritation if used incorrectly,

DDT is a toxic Organochloride INSECTICIDE that has a half life of up to 15 years.

Not the same thing at all.


As for BUSHMANS repellant:
I used this stuff all the time. It is the best repellant on the market, but if you want to know if you will have a reaction, apply a SMALL amount to a 'soft' area of skin before (as in, a day before etc.) to see if you have any sort of reaction.

Reactions seem to be rare, so it's a worthy risk.

I still recommend the stuff.

I don't need it. Real Aussies have DDT in our veins.

So apparently you have a half life of fifteen years ? That must have been Ricky P`s problem then

I've never heard of "Vegemite" being referred to as DDT before....... but I still think it's a fair call.

Nobody knows what's in that shit, but I also think it helps to repel mosquito's.

(and if it's on your breath, it equally repels a potential European female suitress)

(and both suck your blood)

I am also a mosquito magnet, and I also developed an allergy when ever I was bitten. I do remember returning from our holidays in Australia stocked up with RID creams, sprays and anything else I could find.
What worked for me in switzerland is Parapic. I dont like the spray, but I used to buy those individually wrapped wipes. They are expensive (available in the chemists/drogerie) but good to have on hand and easier to wipe the face instead of spraying.
The little bottles of parapic to put on stings/bites also works really well.

I read somewhere that Avon have a cream or body oil (not sure which)that people have found to work well as a reppellent although that's not origionally what it was meant for.

My TOP TIP for when you already have been bitten is HOT water. Yes, hot. Either hold the bite under the hot tap, as hot as you can bear, for about 20-30 seconds, or soak a cloth with said hot water and hold it onto the bite for that amount of time. (Back of a spoon would also work) After a minute or two, the bite will stop itching. Can be repeated as often as one wishes and it also works on old bites. I read about this method years ago in the SonntagsZeitung and it really does work. It was explained but I dont really remember why, sorry.

__________________
Just remember that the amount on your credit card is a limit and not a target!!!!!

Ahh, the hot shower

Yep, this does offer relief, however I am also at a loss to remember exactly why.


As I recall, it is to do with the toxins that the little beasties put into your skin when they bite.

Whatever the chemistry is involved with this, I think the toxins can only withstand a slight increase in temperature before it breaks down.

So having a hot shower, or concentrating hot (best to say "Heated" water) water on the bite should denature the toxins, thus offering accelerated relief.

This works for a number of bites and stings...... but can also make a few worse. (eg. bluebottle stings, you need ice for those).


The trick is to begin with running water that is warm, and slowly increase the temperature as you can handle it.

Your skin will adjust to the temperature, and you will know what you can handle.

This also works with sandfly bites which are truely the "Spawn of Satan" (and fortunately are not in 'Die Schweiz')

When I was growing up, my mom always sent me to camp with a bottle of Avon Skin So Soft lotion. For whatever reason, it works as a bug repellant.

Now Avon has caught on that their body lotion is a popular mosquito repellant and has a complete line of Skin So Soft bug repellants! See all here.

If you want to use something non-chemical and safe for kids, it works pretty darn well. I'm horribly allergic to mosquitos, in addition to having sweet blood or whatever it is they like (I've heard B Vitamin deficiency?) and as a child had to be hospitalized for a cluster of bites on my ankle. Even with the allergy, I still wouldn't use deet given its toxicity. I highly recommend trying Skin So Soft as a safer (but probably less effective) alternative - especially for kids!!

OK, so rather than base a post on "what I can remember" I did a quick search on HEAT Vs ICE:

It seems to depend on where you look, and as I remember from various first aid courses, treatments seem to differ all the time.

Basically the consensus is to use "ICE" rather than heat (to be safe as a first response)...... however, I do know that heat does help with mozzies and sandflies etc. to help reduce irritation (from experience).

It seems that has 'venom' (jelly fish, bees, wasps, etc.) Ice is the only real way forward.
(The exception being stinging fish, eg. flathead, stonefish, scorpion fish, etc..... then Heat is the only way).

Although mosquito's are not venomous, you seem to be able to use either Ice or heat.

In the end, who cares with Mozzies, it's not life threatening and you can choose either or...... whatever works for you.

(the ice seems to be more relevant to inflamation, rather than treating itchyness (if that's a word))

Here is also another useful sites to review:
http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/stings.htm

or
http://www.austin.org.au/Page.aspx?ID=534

Yes, thats the one. Thanks.

Yup indeedy! Not only does one stay mozzy-free, it also works against midges as practically any Scot here will testify


And of course one is beautifully moisturised at all times

Another mosquito magnet here... Very amusing for others as they feel so secure listening to the dreaded things at night in the security that they will only bite me...
Also allergic and swell up for a week or more, but as I age that happens less dramatically, thank goodness.
For me those little portable sound devices really work (depends on the make).
It means everyone wants to sit near me on summer evenings outdoors as they get saved also.
A painless, odourless inexpensive solution that can help your popularity ratings! A winner.

I cant stand the noise in the room at night! Incidentally the Bushman works for sandflies too.

Just to say the order has gone in for the cream.I ordered a couple spare in case of any late response and I shall keep those that requested some informed. We should consider the poll closed.Plse pm me if you need some and didnt say yet.Thanks

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