Best DEET repellent for avoiding insect bites while travelling in Europe

[MicDoyle]

Hi everyone, I got badly bitten in Lake Como. Im away in Ljubljana next week and Im worried about getting bitten again. Its not infected and I promise I am not scratching. Im just rubbing ice on it. Any recommendations for Deet repellent so I dont get bitten again. I really appreciate it. From Itchy and Scratchy

I’ve just seen a video by Dr Amir Khan and he said the best tip is to take an antihistamine daily from one week before you fly then for the duration of your trip. He said you won’t get the itching/sore irritation and he has tried this and it works. It was a reel where he was talking to Lisa Faulkner (I think she is called) for her podcast. Edited - sorry I have just read more of your posts and you do mention taking antihistamines. X

Def take antihistamines. Piriton is best & hydrocortisone cream. I also use the little zappers - no idea what they do but seem to help.

for prevention I use incognito after sun & spray. I think you can get sun cream too. Covering up & wearing light colour clothing helps. I also put incognito room ‘refreshers’ near windows.

Our prime time for being bitten was coming out the pool late afternoon/early evening around garden areas. So having a spray to hand helped.

Awful bloody things - cause so much misery. Good luck.

Look for products with icaridin / picaridin instead of DEET - it is just as effective but not toxic.

I used the high strength DEET from Boots (highest strength from them anyway) when in west africa and wore 'mosi-off' bracelets. I only got bit a few times on my hands towards end of holiday when perhaps less diligent. My dh bought non-deet spray but I refused to use as I always get bit wherever we go, whereas him and dc dont get touched. I know DEET is toxic but you gotta do what you gotta do especially if you're the one insects target.

You need one with both chemicals like DEET, in order to have effective cover.

Deet is the only thing that really works. Also take two antihistamines a day, of different types, one Loradontine and the other cetirizine, the cheap Boots ones work.
I also have some small roll on thing to put on bites.