What is the best mosquito repellent?

[EdinaTheConfessor]

Going to Balearics soon and I always always get bit to smithereens (just me, no one else in the family for some reason).
I took the bracelets last time which seemed to do the trick as I only got bitten the day I forgot to put one on, but they are rather ugly so looking for an alternative.

Also looking for bite relief in the event I do get bitten as they always get infected and pussy so something that could prevent that would be fab.

Thanks in advance

Chat

I swear by boots soltan suncream with insect repellent. It’s so much easier than remembering to use a separate product. Yiu can only get it online or the very biggest stores though.

If you can get hold of it , we find this very effective, I think it has deet in it though. We also use the leather bracelets infused with natural repellent you can buy on Amazon , they look good and sort of work . The kids loved them .

Incognito spray or roll on - available in Boots, supermarkets, Holland & Barrett. Or Lifesystems sensitive (icaridin) spray available in outdoor shops. Neither burn your skin/damage clothes like deet does.

DEET. I didn’t get bitten at all in Ibiza.

Thank you I’ll look at these.

Any recommendations for anything to help reduce the effects if I do get bitten?

I always take antihistamines during a holiday if I’m expecting insect bites. I’m extremely allergic to them and this does lessen the recovery time.

Anything with 50% DEET, and an After Bite pen

Deet or picaridin.

https://theconversation.com/chemical-or-natural-whats-the-best-way-to-repel-mozzies-36879

Smidge is not bad....and less toxic than deet... Although deet is technically the most effective...citirizine anti histamine i find better for reactive bites than others also hydrocortisone bite cream... (The otc stuff ok if use quickly..used to be able to get stronger from pharmacy in france/spain if needed) Zapit gadget if your quick! ...... I am a complete bite magnet so have tested a lot.... Yes rest of family completely fine!

Hedgewitch. They do products for humans which contain icaridin (not deet). You can also use it on horses and it is marketed to the equine industry. After years and years of not finding a solution that works for both me or her I found this and it is the holy grail. There is no smell to it at all.

I sprayed it on my horses fly mask and rug and the flies buzz around but do not land, its as if you have an invisible shield round you. It's good for all sorts of flies and mosquitoes. I love it. They also do products for when (or if) you do get bitten.

This is the gel for bites and stings: https://hedgewitch.uk/collections/for-you/products/bite-and-sting-gel-100ml

This is the fly repellant: https://hedgewitch.uk/collections/icaridin-insect-repellent/products/icaridin-150ml-no-spray-pump

Antihistamines

IME, fannying about with any so-called natural products is a waste of time.

Jungle Formula or anything with 50% DEET.
The Boots suncream mentioned above is good.

Once bitten:
Anthisan cream - it's the only one which works for me.
The largest dose of fexofenadine you can get (I take the 180mg ones)
This summer i have discovered the Beurer bite zapper - you have to use it straight away though https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B4HXDZWZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

PMD has been found by multiple studies to be effective. I have used it all over the world without being bitten. 50% DEET products shouldn’t be used on children.