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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask how I stop myself being eaten alive?

55 replies

LuluBellaBlue · 08/12/2018 12:37

Visiting a tropical location for NYE (yes a stealth boast Grin )
I am usually eaten alive!
Please help with your tried and tested recommendations!
Does Vit B or garlic capsules work?
Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar?
Any natural, chemical free sprays / sun cream recommendations?
Thank you Xmas Smile

OP posts:
ShotsFired · 08/12/2018 14:44

Take leggings and a long sleeved tshirt, and some thin socks as nightwear. That will stop you getting bitten overnight.

Don't bother with Avon stuff. It stinks to high heaven and doesn't work very well. Just go for the DEET. I have used v cheap Wilko own brand alongside Jungle Formula level 4 and they were equally effective.

IJustLostTheGame · 08/12/2018 14:47

Deet based insect repellent and wash your feet before going to bed. Apparently the sweat in feet attracts mozzies

Racecardriver · 08/12/2018 14:49

Abstain from bananas. They attract mosquitoes. And (sorry if this is ridiculously obvious) use some repellent.

PlainVanilla · 08/12/2018 15:00

Autan Tropical, for when you arrive and then straight off to a local chemist/shop to get what the locals use/recommend.

Threeminis · 08/12/2018 15:03

Wait till you get there and ask in a pharmacy - it will probably be a bit more expensive but better than being bitten.

DreamsofJacaranda · 08/12/2018 15:04

Surround yourself with babies and toddlers, the mozzies won’t even sniff at you Wink

GemmaMcEacharn · 08/12/2018 15:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

GlmPmum · 08/12/2018 15:15

Avon skin so soft dry oil spray, little bastards hate the stuff and will come no where near you x

mpsw · 08/12/2018 15:16

"I think the army use it."

PMSL

(Of course they don't, though idea of there being a drab green Avon Lady does Ickes)

Jayfee · 08/12/2018 15:17

Avon skin so soft

Technonan · 08/12/2018 15:19

Skin So Soft no longer works. they've changed the formula. I agree with AntMoon. A good tropical insect spray with DEET is your best bet. OK, not nice stuff but you'll only be using it for a short time. I find essential lavender oil rubbed on the skin neat is very effective, but you knock everyone out from about 10 paces. A good DEET spray is really your only guarantee.

LoniceraJaponica · 08/12/2018 15:20

AntMoon gives sensible advice. All the woo "remedies" only work if you are mildly attractive to biting insects. If you are a bug magnet like OH then the only stuff that works contains DEET.

Starfish28 · 08/12/2018 15:23

If you are going anywhere with malaria use DEET. So much better than malaria. As others have said cover up with long sleeves and long trousers and make sure you sleep under a net if your not under AC.

GetSchwifty · 08/12/2018 15:26

The Avon stuff is crap, I used it on holiday this year and got bitten terribly. Use real mosquito repellent. They smell awful but they work. And put it everywhere, the bastards got my face and my armpits!

NoIsACompleteAnswerSometimes · 08/12/2018 15:30

I get bitten so rarely it's a noteworthy event, even when growing up in a hot country. However, I got bitten about 10/15 times when I stayed with family in a tropical country on holiday, which I was very surprised at. I used stuff that I bought locally and it was very good.
I did read somewhere that if you get a bite, put a teaspoon in hot water and press it on the bite, as the heat breaks down the toxins in the bite and stops it itching. Word of warning, DON'T put the spoon in boiling water then stick it straight on the bite! Even though I wafted the spoon about to cool it, obviously it wasn't cool enough! Bugger me, I was hopping about like a mad woman but on the plus side, I forgot about the itching.

UnreasonablyPissedOff · 08/12/2018 15:39

I agree with Ant as I too am highly allergic to bites and have terrible reactions including cellulitis several times. Yet I have managed to travel in China and Australia without being bitten ONLY by using DEET at the highest formula.

I spoke to by GP at length and he is an immunologist and looks after all the vaccines in the practice and he said EVERYONE gets bitten at pretty much the same rate but only some people react to it. Its a myth that they prefer some people / skin types.

So I cope by covering up as much as possible, ESPECIALLY pulse points or areas with veins close to the surface like inside wrists, ankles etc, liberally apply DEET, bring a DEET roll on applicator when out and about, take antihistimines every day and I also travel with the very strong cellulitis antibiotics since a near miss in eastern europe a few years ago.

GrimDamnFanjo · 08/12/2018 15:40

Ignore anything woo and follow the advice about using proper Deet stuff, protective clothing and take an antihistamine every day.

itbemay · 08/12/2018 15:44

Someone recommended the Avon skin so soft to me too

Original poster
LuluBellaBlue · 08/12/2018 16:06

Thanks everyone. Ordered Jungle Formula and Icognito repellents, a plug in, a non plug in room thing, coils and Avon so soft as will use on top of repellent as a moisturiser anyway. Oh and B12 vitamins. And I love Marmite but how much would I need to eat for it to work??

Hopefully I’ll be well armed and won’t have any bites.

OP posts:
hooveringhamabeads · 08/12/2018 16:22

I used Avon skin so soft a couple of weeks ago in Egypt, and I got bitten loads! I was militant about applying it several times a day.

Soontobe60 · 08/12/2018 16:24

This is the one you need.
off.com/en/product/deep-woods/deep-woods-sportsmen-insect-repellent-i
Too many people think that any old spray will do, but this one protects for 10 hours. I have my OH spray me liberally whilst I'm only in my underwear, then get dressed. Don't forget feet!

Buteo · 08/12/2018 16:25

I get eaten alive and the only stuff that has ever worked for me was Goibi - the standard Goibi in the green packaging was really good, but I’d try the Goibi Xtreme for a tropical trip. Smells OK too.

Avon Skin So Soft had a formula change a few years back and is not what it used to be (not that it ever did much for me anyway).

JustABetterPlayer · 08/12/2018 16:27

Shoet of deet whichnis foul you’re screwed 😄 everyone gets bitten but some people (clearly you) react to the bites more than others.

nicoala1 · 08/12/2018 16:32

DEET or nothing I'm afraid. Then a daily anti histamine, and anti histamine cream if you do get bitten.

One trick I have learned that works REALLY well, is if you have an almighty itching bite (that usually wakes you up scratching forever), is the teaspoon trick.

OK this is true and it really works!. Run the hot tap as hot as it gets, place teaspoon underneath. Place the back of the very hot teaspoon over the bite, the hotter the better, and hold in place for a few seconds. Repeat.

Bite will no longer itch. I am telling you now, it works!

raindancemumma · 08/12/2018 16:34

Definitely a daily antihistamine, DEET spray and a DEET roll on. The Avon spray worked for other people I was with but not so good for me. I even get bitten in the UK, so have tried a few different things. I hope you find something that works, and have a fab time!