Bad reaction to fly bites - prevention tips please?

[MrsRossPoldark]

Been badly bitten again while out running last night at dusk. Bites now swollen & so painful I can't touch!

Happens to me a lot & is leaving long term bruising & scarring (too sore to scratch but still scars - prob as I'm middle aged so takes longer to heal - fact, not a moan!). Always on legs but sometimes arms.

Any preventative gunk I can use that doesn't smell like a factory bleach? I've heard that lavender oil can keep the b#%*ers away?

Lavender, Citronella, tea tree, cedar and patchouli essential oil mix. This will help deter and should also help the ones you have to heal. Increase your vitamin C as this is a powerful antihistamine (you need lots and it needs to be fairly pure)

Avon's skin so soft is meant to be ace* against nasty Scottish nibbly blighters, don't know about flies in general though.

• my dsis is very fond of camping in Scotland, but is a midge magnet. She swears by it (while swearing at them of course)

Found some 100% organic locally grown lavender oil from a farm I found less than half hour's drive away! It smells very strong and slightly of camphor [variety of lavender]. It does seem to be very effective at not only keeping the bugs away but the bites I had already are healing up very quickly, as it's an antiseptic too.

Although it has a very strong smell, it beats DEET hands down! Their website is

www.thelavenderfields.co.uk/product/essential-lavandin-oil-50ml