gadgetlady 4 Posted November 13, 2006 Well, this is totally not band related, but I thought there might be some good sources of information here. I am allergic to mosquito bites and leaving for a vacation in a place with a lot of mosquitos. I need to bring some good solutions along with me. Tell me what you use that works! Creams, lotions, sprays, candles, Patches, electric gadgets, or anything else that might help me out. I won't be able to buy anything on island, so I have to bring it all with me. The last time we were in a similar resort, I was eaten alive both in our room and walking around the resort, so I need something to combat the pesky buggers in the zone of our hotel room as well as in my personal zone as I'm walking around. Thanks for any help you can provide! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Devana 0 Posted November 13, 2006 Catnip oil. Crushed catnip leaves rubbed on the skin will even work. You can buy it online. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anon 1 Posted November 13, 2006 55% DEET if you really are allergic and want to avoid at all costs, you should also invest in a mosquito net for your bed too. google for the best places for you... ( I can't help you, I live in the UK!) Hermione x Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackal1209 1 Posted November 13, 2006 Stay inside.... Just kidding Skin so soft from avon works wonders and doesnt smell like a chemical factory. I camp, and enjoy the outdoors a lot and have used it for years. 15 months post op, at goal! 201 pounds gone, Life is good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gadgetlady 4 Posted November 14, 2006 Catnip oil. Crushed catnip leaves rubbed on the skin will even work. You can buy it online. I looked in a few stores today but couldn't find it. I will check online. How does it smell? I've never known what catnip is; I always associated it with cats, which I don't particularly care much for LOL! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gadgetlady 4 Posted November 14, 2006 55% DEET if you really are allergic and want to avoid at all costs, you should also invest in a mosquito net for your bed too. google for the best places for you... ( I can't help you, I live in the UK!) Hermione x I really am allergic -- not dangerously so, but bites swell up considerably large and make me absolutely miserable. Cortisone, et al, do nothing for the itch once it's there. I went to the store tonight and found products with DEET from 7% all the way up to 98% (!!!). The 98% stuff said you should wash yourself when you come inside and launder your clothes before wearing them again. Scary stuff! Is it the DEET that smells or the other stuff they put in the product (whatever it is -- Deep Woods Off or the like)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrHekier 0 Posted November 14, 2006 While on vacation many years ago to a location with many mosquitos, I took an antihistamine. (May have been Zyrtec.) It obviously didn't prevent being bitten, but it seemed to help me personally tremendously in terms of getting the bitten swollen areas to shrink in size and stop itching. Talk to your doctor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gadgetlady 4 Posted November 14, 2006 While on vacation many years ago to a location with many mosquitos, I took an antihistamine. (May have been Zyrtec.) It obviously didn't prevent being bitten, but it seemed to help me personally tremendously in terms of getting the bitten swollen areas to shrink in size and stop itching.Talk to your doctor. Thanks for the advice, Dr. Hekier. Last year I was at a tropical destination and was miserable; my doctor later recommended taking benadryl, but of course that totally knocks me out. I'll look for some antihistamines that are non-drowsy, because I'm sure no matter what "solution" I find I'm sure to get a few bites here and there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OfferRocker 0 Posted November 14, 2006 Bounce Fabric Softener rubbed on your skin is supposed to work well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Devana 0 Posted November 14, 2006 I am leery of Deet. Health Canada has banned from sale all products with over 30% deet concentration. It does get into the bloodstream and it can have central nervous system effects. The ingredient in catnip, however, has not yet been found to have any dangers, and it's supposed to be 10 times more effective than deet. I have never seen it for sale in a store either, but I have bought it online. How I use it is this: I put some in a small pump spray bottle with some Water and give a good shake and squirt when I need it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gadgetlady 4 Posted November 14, 2006 [quote name=Devana;330121The ingredient in catnip' date=' however, has not yet been found to have any dangers, and it's supposed to be 10 times more effective than deet. I have never seen it for sale in a store either, but I have bought it online. How I use it is this: I put some in a small pump spray bottle with some Water and give a good shake and squirt when I need it.[/quote] How does it smell? I found some online that's already in a spray bottle mixed with some peppermint and other seemingly harmless stuff. Along with my various annoying skin allergies, I also get headaches with some smells (like perfumes, basic laundry detergent smells, etc.). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewsLou 3 Posted November 14, 2006 I always take garlic supplements in the summer. Skeeters don't like it at all for some reason! You can find the caps at any health food store or maybe even in your local grocery store. Good luck and have a great trip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lisa99 1 Posted November 14, 2006 Be careful with the DEET if you've never used it before. It makes the ends of my fingers tingle and then I get short of breath!! If you decide to go that way, you might want to try it at home before taking it on your trip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PamRN 0 Posted November 15, 2006 I havent tried it yet but have read that dryer sheets in your pockets keep them away Share this post Link to post Share on other sites