Anyone else very attractive to mosquitoes and already dreading summer? Tips?

[MozziesLoveMe]

Hi,

Just that really.

I never used to be particularly bothered by them. I'd get the occasional bite that may itch slightly, but that would be it. That was only ever if I went abroad. Never in England.

Over the past few years though, every summer is pretty ruined by the f@#$ers. Where we live is surrounded by rivers and lakes.

The worst reaction seems to be on my feet and that's where they home in. Of course! My feet swell, are red hot and the itching. Oh, the itching 😫 It can take a couple of weeks for the bite to go and in that time, I am completely miserable. I can't walk properly, can't sleep and am permanently anxious that I'll be bitten again.

I love sitting out in the summer evenings. It's so depressing to think I'll probably never just be able to relax and do that again without a lot of preparation.

Citronella candles do nothing. Skin so soft does nothing. OFF seems to work, but only if I drench myself and my clothes in it. I have to wear two pairs of socks tucked into my trousers. Nice 👍If we are sat outside, presumably it's nice and warm, so who wants to wear 2 thick layers of clothing?!

It's not too bad if we're sat in our own garden, but if we're at someone else's, it's so embarrassing! Not only do I look ridiculous, but I will also smell pretty disgusting too, as Deet hardly smells of flowers

Anyway, I know it's only March, but I'm already dreading it.

Does anyone have anything else I could try? 🙏🙏

We're moving soon, but still have lots of lakes and rivers nearby. We are slightly up a hill, but doubt that will help, although really hoping!

TIA

You could try taking an anti histamine every night. I do this before I go on holiday and it helps. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to take them for longer than a few weeks though. I'm sure a pharmacist could offer some advice.

Thanks @Anna713

I don't really like the idea of taking it every day, but then I really don't like the idea of covering myself in strong chemically deet either. I do take anti histamine once I'm bitten, but only for a few nights when it's at it worst.

The pharmacist never seems to be able to offer advice, other than the usual wear repellent, use a cold compress once bitten etc. I'm probably looking for something that does exist 😔

Anti histamine and jungle formula repellant.
I get so many bites and they swell and itch and then I scratch and they bleed. I can easily get twenty bites on a bit of exposed leg or my face. If I hear a mozzie in my room I cannot go to sleep until it is dead - even if the hunt takes all night. It is hell. I sympathise OP.

Take vitamin b1. Honestly, really reduced issues for me..

just wear insect repellent and take antihistamines if you get bitten.
There is no other way

Stop eating sugar?

I was the same as you, in every way, but now I don't eat sugar they're not interested. Haven't been bitten once in the last 4 years.

@InTheSummerhouse, I can't hear them in this country. I can only hear that high pitched buzz when I go to Spain. Strangely, I don't seem to get bitten in my bedroom, only outside.

@fascinated, really? I hear mixed things about this.

@springydaff

Really. Maybe doesn’t work for everyone but let me travel to S Europe safely for the first time in ages.

No harm in trying... it’s harmless.

@fascinated, I guess not. Assuming that marmite on toast won't cut it?..

High strength vitamin B. Worked for me. I got solgar from the health food shop. Not one bite. Normally I have to take antibiotics for the votes as I get such a strong reaction my skin gets infected.

Been to Egypt and Maldives and not one bite with the vitamin B. But it has to be a high strength.

Yeah high strength, agree. Pricey, but...

Make sure there's no perfume, no perfumed shampoo or body lotion, no hairspray, no perfumed deodorant on you or your clothes. I lived for many years in S America and SE Asia and that's what you need to do.

I also found drinking either gin & tonic or rum & tonic helped. I think it was the quinine in the tonic - an old school anti malarial.

If I did get bitten I always put on Andantol gel which was very effective in neutralising the bite and the itchiness. You can't get it here but if you look it up you should see the active ingredients - suggest you try getting something containing them.

Mosquitoes love me and I am bitten everywhere in the world including my own back garden (London). Last Summer I tried this in desperation. Aimed at midges but seems to work on mozzies too.

I agree with taking an anti-histamine all summer too to help with the reactions.

Vitamin B, no perfume, no alcohol (really, sorry) Daily antihistamine in high risk times, OFF is a very effective non deet deterrent(Johnsons) Its also non greasy. And AVON skin so soft is pretty good. They are mostly attracted to the CO2 in your breath (Yeast traps dont work) Dont sit near a lot of vergetation, make sure you have no breeding grounds in your garden (standing water, drain traps , put a bit of bleach in the latter). I am a magnet too them but have little trouble if I make some effort, Also wear suitable clothes if you sit out in the evening, long cotton trousers and socks. Do what you like ealier in the day

No advice but as a fellow tasty person, I am following with interest. It’s the horseflies that really do for me, the bitey bastards...

Vitamin B and Incognito spray - which luckily doesn't smell too bad. Long sleeves, trousers not shorts etc. and I just about survive.

For horseflies, stick up a couple of Sticky Trap buckets.

I’m blood group 0 and heard that they make a bee line for this blood group.
Skin so soft does nothing for me.
I take Vit b every day but will try a higher dose.
Am in Tenerife and got badly bitten the other day. I put something from the local supermarket on it ( think it was essential oils in it)and then colloidal silver ..all took the dreaded itch out of it .
These lumps were the size of an old sixpence.
I’ve still managed to keep my hands off them thank goodness.

I don’t like using chemicals on my body
Bloody nuisance as I love the sunshine
I have in the past got cellulitis and had to take antibiotics..very depressing

I have incognito but still got bitten
I’ve made my own sanitiser with weleda rose deodorant, eucalyptus oil, tea tree , lavender and strawberry gin..all I had
Perhaps I should cover myself in that.

I’m allergic, so if I get bitten they come up the size of saucers, without exaggeration.

For me, jungle formula insect repellent, and daily anti histamines, and anti histamine cream applied to any I do get works. I take vitamin b as standard and it makes sod all difference. Neither does garlic capsules.

You need a strong insect repellent to reduce what you get, and you need to have anti histamine in your system to reduce the reaction as soon as it happens, then apply topical anti histamine as well.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm sorry so many can relate. It's bloody miserable isn't it?!

Does anyone have any experience with fresh lavender in the garden? Again, I've heard mixed reviews about that.

I am very susceptible to bites and react very badly (cellulitis several times as a result of bites, both at home and abroad)

My GP says that everybody gets bitten at the same rate but only some of us react, which makes sense.

I take antihistimes every day, but works for hayfever too so would be taking them anyway. I don't think they are dangerous to take regularly?

If I'm abroad I use max strength DEET on exposed parts and also buy the solid stick deet max strength for extra topping up if sitting out for a drink at dusk etc. I am rarely bitten these days.

I don't think any of the 'remedies' work at all.

I take antihistimes every day in the summer or on hols not all year round!