aibu - to be sick of being bitten now!

[mummyrabbitpeppapig]

It's been happening for three bloody months now! Insect / midges whatever they are. They itch. They cause scarring ( I know I shouldn't scratch them but they drive me insane! ) Tried insect repellents but the buggers still bite me mainly on my legs! ( Any advice welcome )

I always always get bitten!
The strongest DEET you can get works better than anything else iv tried

For itching i use things like zap it. Give you a small electric shock. But works. Possible one for the brave!

I've just found out that Vick rubbed on wrists and ankles keeps them away. They don't like the smell. Ming you, you have to put up with it.
I'm going to give it a go as I've a lot of gardening to do.

Thanks - will try the vicks thing

My brother used to get bitten a lot when doing cyclocross through woods etc and he swears that once he started taking Vitamin B6 supplements that he never got bitten again.

I've just read that blood group o people are more tasty to mozzies and are bitten more than the other groups.
Certainly true for me.
Nearly everyone else in my family is blood group a.

I was always the one that got badly bitten in America.

Blobby - there used to me an old wives tale that people who ate marmite didn't get bitten. There may be something in the viatmin B6 thing!

I've just read that blood group o people are more tasty to mozzies and are bitten more than the other groups.

Interesting - I'm an A and they don't like me much.

I'm A and they bloody well love me, so I don't think that works.

Agree with the post above. Get the strongest possible concentration of DEET you can find. Apply liberally. Bathe in it, wash your hair with it etc etc.

Some people are much more attractive - for a variety of reasons (sweat, blood type, exhaled breath composition), and if you get bitten lots, a chemical solution is what is required. Good luck! I literally feel your pain!

I take a daily vit B and eat marmite and they still love to bite me. Two other people in the house and nobody else gets touched.

Marmite- I only started eating it this year and it's the only year I've not been eaten alive.

About a spoonful a day, need to start few weeks before holiday/hot weather.

Stop eating bananas. You excrete a smell from the banana which attracts them.

Are you applying DEET properly? Needs to be rubbed over all your exposed skin.

Watching with interest, i also get bitten badly and react badly (large purple lumps that itch and stay purple for about a month)
Marmite didn't work for me but will try the vicks suggestion next time i go walking

We tend to joke that we can use our DD as an insect deterrent. Whenever there's something that bites, she's the target (and she doesn't like bananas).

I feel your pain OP. I have tried every single remedy/prevention going, including garlic, Vitamin B6, Skin So Soft, and industrial strength Deet that is so powerful it will melt glass. Nothing works. I wear long sleeves, avoid water and swampy areas and try not to sweat. I took my dogs for a walk yesterday and the buggers are biting THROUGH clothes. I am a walking bug buffet. If only men would find me so attractive.... :)

Smidge
The only product that works, and i live next to a glen in Scotland and walk my dog there.
If i don't use it I'm eaten alive every single time.
When i use it, not one bite and midges love me!

I use Jungle formula it's the only thing that works for me, but needs to be applied liberally!

Another vote for Smidge, it is the only thing I've found that actually works.
Deet is bloody awful stuff, it melted my swatch watch! Imagine what it's doing to your skin!

Citronella essential oil, diluted with a vegetable oil.