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Original poster

Mosquitoes and how to avoid getting bitten by the wee b******s.

65 replies

soupmaker · 01/04/2023 17:02

Last time we went abroad in high summer I got very badly bitten by mosquitos. We stayed near Rome. They really like me but I react very badly with massive sore purple welts which are desperately itchy and prevent me sleeping. I have scars from 8 years ago.

I'll take a daily antihistamine and use repellent but the wee bastards always manage to bite me.

So any advice on how to stop them feasting on me, or how I can stop the hellish itching when they do? We're off to Croatia in July to a campsite by the sea and I suspect they're will be loads of them waiting to bite me.

TIA

OP posts:
Gastropod · 01/04/2023 17:15

Sadly the only thing that works for me is using repellent with Deet in it. Jungle formula type thing. Strong stuff but ok for a short time like a holiday...
And applying it morning, noon and night. Plus a plug in thingy for sleeping.

Gastropod · 01/04/2023 17:17

Just saw you said you'd be camping so obviously no plugs, sorry!
A mosquito net will help a lot.

goldenotter · 01/04/2023 17:18

no suggestions here but agree they are horrible things OP! hate them!

apparently after a while of living in a country where they are prevalent your body doesn't react in the same way, you kinda get used to it. Still, rather not have to get used to it!

Interested in this thread?

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Original poster
soupmaker · 01/04/2023 17:19

We will have sockets as in a caravan not a tent. Do the plug-ins really work?

OP posts:
WaityWTF · 01/04/2023 17:22

Incognito products - buy them all, but especially the pump action spray.

It’s SO good.

I am usually eaten for every meal by mossies if they’re about.

For a trip to Thailand I took the spray lotion, shampoo and body wash, and a room thingy.

I got two bites the whole ten days, both times on my ankles when I’d missed the early evening top up on my legs before dinner.

The people I was with who resisted using the spray and wash got bitten lots until day four when they caved.

I thoroughly enjoyed saying I told so, and not itching like a fury, and giving them zero sympathy for their itching.

Gastropod · 01/04/2023 17:22

I find the plug ins do help, yes! Also often keep a fan running as the air currents blow them away! Not very eco friendly but I get desperate. They love me...

hermioneee · 01/04/2023 17:25

Can you choose your pitch?
Keep away from trees/ shrubs etc and they don't like the breeze/ wind so I'm afraid it is best to choose an unsheltered spot.
Avon skin so soft dry oil spray is the only thing that's every worked for me. Better than deet!!

Nigelladamascena · 01/04/2023 17:27

I second Avon skin so soft.

Firsttimecaller · 01/04/2023 17:27

I don't know why but dark clothes attracts them to me. I'm allergic to their bites so I'm keen to avoid them- i tried wearing lighter colours and got fewer bites which is purely anecdotal. I also read some research that indicated being female and eating bananas were two other factors.

Original poster
soupmaker · 01/04/2023 17:35

Thanks @WaityWTF I'm liking the look of Incognito products. I've got sensitive skin and don't like using stuff with DEET in.

I used Avon Skin So Soft last time I encountered mosquitos and still got bitten. Think it was at night in bed. So going to invest in a plug in for our bedroom.

We can't choose our pitch otherwise I'd be right by the sea and in a permanent breeze!

OP posts:
Lazydazey · 01/04/2023 17:37

If you end up over reacting to bites, and they go hard/get hot , then you need anti-histamine cream with hydro-cortisone, it’s a game changer.

Eyesopenwideawake · 01/04/2023 17:40

If it's at night you get bitten have a fan going - mossies can't fly in a breeze.

Movinghouseatlast · 01/04/2023 17:43

I second Incognito, it is great. Otherwise Deet based stuff.

The Avon stuff I think only works on people who don't get bitten much/ aren't allergic. I used it once and got hundreds of bites.

Timeforachangeisitnot · 01/04/2023 17:44

Anecdotal but DH and I took garlic capsules for 2 weeks before, and for the duration of a Greek holiday.
We were the only pale, freckle Scot’s who did not get bitten. That said we didn’t make a lot of friends either…
Anyway, may be worth a try

Twiceover · 01/04/2023 17:44

I am also like a feast for mosquitoes. I always go to the local pharmacist and buy the strongest thing they've got - seems to work better if it's local?! Put on at the start of the evening and again before going to bed.

We had an amazing holiday in Croatia last summer - so beautiful - enjoy!

Original poster
soupmaker · 01/04/2023 17:52

Lazydazey · 01/04/2023 17:37

If you end up over reacting to bites, and they go hard/get hot , then you need anti-histamine cream with hydro-cortisone, it’s a game changer.

Going to get this before we go then. Had some cream with me but discovered it was last it's bloody use by date!

OP posts:
Original poster
soupmaker · 01/04/2023 17:54

Timeforachangeisitnot · 01/04/2023 17:44

Anecdotal but DH and I took garlic capsules for 2 weeks before, and for the duration of a Greek holiday.
We were the only pale, freckle Scot’s who did not get bitten. That said we didn’t make a lot of friends either…
Anyway, may be worth a try

I have wondered about garlic capsules. Three of us are very Scottish looking, DH even has red hair, then there is DD2 who has inherited her granny's Italian heritage so tans and is never bitten!

OP posts:
mackthepony · 01/04/2023 17:56

As someone who has been bitten through JEANS I can sympathize.

Awful things

mackthepony · 01/04/2023 17:56

Yes to the pale skin thing

Muffit · 01/04/2023 18:02

Eatting lemon grass, it is supposed to repel them.

Natsku · 01/04/2023 18:06

I tried the garlic capsules last year, I think I got bitten slightly less than usual so I'm trying them again.
Otherwise its just a case of plenty of repellent, applying anti-histamine cream straight afterwards and trying to resist scratching.

Lollypop701 · 01/04/2023 18:10

If you put a hot hairdryer on the bites it disperses the histamine which causes the itching… feels Like your skin is burning (it’s not) … sometimes have to do it twice. Gets rid of the itch for around 6 hours usually.. not on broken skin!

BMW6 · 01/04/2023 18:12

I've tried bloody EVERYTHING to no avail. Last holiday in Greece I was even bitten on my eyelids and couldn't open my eyes properly for days. Looked like I'd been crying for 24 hours.

A few years before in Egypt I was bitten and my leg swelled up so bad a local doctor was called in and had to give me an antihistamine jab.

I even get bitten here in Summer, several times a year.

Fuckers.

ISpyCobraKai · 01/04/2023 18:13

Deet and mozzie nets.

JuneOsborne · 01/04/2023 18:16

What antihistamine? I find that one great side effect of taking it for hay fever is that I'm not affected the same way as I used to be by the bites. But, I take 180 and the OTC stuff is 120.

Also recommend smidge. All natural but very effective. I usually wear this in bed because I shower the daytime DEET off and don't want it all over me 24/7.

I also have an efk and a hand held one.

And beady eyes.