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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Surefire mosquito repellents

29 replies

countvoncount · 23/03/2024 10:25

Hi all, I have an upcoming holiday to Egypt, and reading reviews it looks like the resort is prone to vicious mosquitos!
I react terribly when bitten, could anyone give me any tips as to lotions, sprays, anything that I could take with me to mitigate the damage please?
I know I'll not eradicate them completely!

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 23/03/2024 10:29

As a person that is an absolute magnet for mozzies, I would say Jungle formula but the roll on not the spray! Roll it generously up arms and legs (don’t forget feet and ankles), and around your neck.

countvoncount · 23/03/2024 10:31

@MissyB1 Thankyou!!!
It's now on the list!

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thedevilinablackdress · 23/03/2024 11:43

Lifesystems Expedition Max for skin, plus Permethrin spray for clothes is what I used in Buenos Aires recently during a period of mosquito swarms - I got one bite.
I also take antihistamines for two weeks before and all during a trip to reduce my reaction to a bite.
I appreciate this is a bit belt and braces, but I do react badly to bites

Ifailed · 23/03/2024 11:45

Me. Whenever we went on holiday I was the one covered in itchy red spots whilst the rest of the family were unscathed.

helpfulperson · 23/03/2024 11:49

jungle formula extra strength, take antihistamines for a week beforehand and throughout, get hydrocortisone cream from the pharmacy (it's behind the counter but I've never had problems getting it when I've explained why) and a plug in for the room.

Tequilamockinbird · 23/03/2024 11:53

I also react terribly and do the following. (Not sure if any of these work on their own, I'm not willing to test it, but I haven't been bitten the last 2 holidays.)

Start taking garlic tablets and B vitamins 2-3 weeks before you go and continue whilst there.

GP prescribes me Fexofenadine which I also start taking 2-3 weeks before.

Original source lemon shower gel

Jungle formula roll-on

countvoncount · 23/03/2024 11:58

Great tips Thankyou!
I'm really hoping that with some good measures in place I can just enjoy the holiday
My reactions are normally big fluid filled blisters so I'm prepared to do anything!

OP posts:
Madcats · 23/03/2024 12:01

I seem to get bitten regardless. I've started wearing bands on wrists and ankles (see Amazon) to top up whatever lotion/spray we had.

In the event that you do get bitten, I found Moskinto plasters worked really well. They really really help with preventing itching.

countvoncount · 23/03/2024 12:01

@thedevilinablackdress found both of these on Amazon! Thankyou!

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thedevilinablackdress · 23/03/2024 12:04

@countvoncount good luck on your trip, from a fellow giant-blister-sufferer 😁

KottuKottuKottu · 23/03/2024 12:28

I live in an infested country of mozzies and my other half is a all you can eat buffet if they do not follow the same routine.

We have tried every lotion and potion going and all the myths and old wives tales, and really the only thing that will work (and sometimes still get bitten, say in between fingers or a missed bit), is a high concentration of deet, 50%.

Out of all the ones you can get in the UK Jungle Formular is the best, dont bother with ASDA/Boots etc own brand they just dont work the same for us in any form. I buy the spray as I prefer it but do have a roll on in my bag always.

The bands/bracelets/noise things and other assorted 'stuff' just dont cut the mustard I'm afraid for us as well as garlic tabs, or Skin So Soft or vit tabs.

Have a look at Savers on line as they tend to do the best deals on the sprays, just check the amount as some are 90ml and some 125ml.

Protect yourself on an evening with long sleeves/trousers etc the usual precautions, but mozzies can and I can vouch for this, bite through jeans and even socks. Light colours are better than dark also to help avoid being bit.

I am not sure if Egypt has the Aedes mozzie, but if so this little bugger is also active a lot during the day, this carries a lot of nasty's you really dont want. I have seen first hand how bad Dengue fever is.

Keeping a fan or your air con on really helps to also keep them at bay, try and get next to a fan if outside, and although not much protection a coil to burn if outside. If you can also get a mozzie spray or plug in locally, buy some. Spray your room as you leave (inc lower levels of the floor), sorry its a lot of chemicals but better than being bitten.

I cannot recommend a cream as we always by a certain brand you cannot get in the UK, but looks like plenty of choice.

countvoncount · 23/03/2024 12:37

Great info Thankyou
Would you say that those plug in buzzer things are good to take?
After a particularly hellish trip to Italy last year I'm determined to go in with an arsenal of weapons!
Crazy how these tiny things can get us!

OP posts:
ASighMadeOfStone · 23/03/2024 13:25

The Superdrug one in the black and orange can. It's the same concentration of deet as Jungle Formula but cheaper. And a Raid Night and Day plug in.

KottuKottuKottu · 23/03/2024 13:30

The Superdrug own brand (and the Boots one) burnt my skin, the ASDA own brand again has the same concentration but suspect different 'ingredients' as JF, but was far less effective.

Cannot help with the plug ins as I buy local to where I have lived.

Manyandyoucanwalkover · 23/03/2024 13:38

Deet or Picaridin. They are both proven to work. Don’t go near Skin so Soft, it only works for people who don’t get bitten. 😳

Georgyporky · 23/03/2024 19:47

Deet works. I use bands for wrists & ankles, think they're called Mozzioff.

SoEmbarrassed2024 · 23/03/2024 22:56

Apparently vitamin b1 for two weeks in advance makes you less tasty...

Blueuggboots · 23/03/2024 23:03

Take garlic capsules and vitamin B1 capsules every day from now until you come back. Then use a good repellent as well.

Apparently, this is meant to be good, but I haven't tried it...

https://victoriahealth.com/mrs-whites-unstung-hero-mosquito-repellent/?glCountry=GB&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NC-i7-LhQMVvotQBh23qwLVEAQYASABEgJM8fDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

SoEmbarrassed2024 · 23/03/2024 23:04

Oh and we take a can of raid with us, the plug ins are ok but I prefer to be able to lure any nasties into the bathroom and spray the buggers

unsync · 23/03/2024 23:40

I usually go to the local chemist and get their recommendation although the strongest Jungle Formula is good. It can be helpful to know which type of mozzie you are up against and when they like to feed. I also have ones of these https://www.beurer.com/uk/c/medical/insect-bite-healer/ which works a treat if you do happen to get bitten. It stops the body's reaction to the bite dead.

Insect bite healer for sale - Beurer

Discover Insect bite healer in the Beurer online shop. Free delivery from £50 ✓ Top quality since 1919 ✓

https://www.beurer.com/uk/c/medical/insect-bite-healer

HoneyButterPopcorn · 23/03/2024 23:42

Avon skin so soft - not sure if you can still get it (last time I got it on Amazon).

Lollypop701 · 23/03/2024 23:50

deet frim 4pm, anti histamine twice a day( different ones) plug ins for the room and local pharmacies for recommendations. Honestly I lm convinced the local midge population shout out as soon as plane door opens.

Fluf123 · 23/03/2024 23:52

I get bitten no matter where I travel. When we arrived in Sharm years ago our travel rep told us to ditch anything we'd brought and buy SC Johnson OFF! as it was the only thing that would work. I sprayed myself liberally and it worked a treat. Brought home a few bottles and kept me bite free for next few years, I only wish I could get some more!

Tequilamockinbird · 24/03/2024 19:01

Fluf123 · 23/03/2024 23:52

I get bitten no matter where I travel. When we arrived in Sharm years ago our travel rep told us to ditch anything we'd brought and buy SC Johnson OFF! as it was the only thing that would work. I sprayed myself liberally and it worked a treat. Brought home a few bottles and kept me bite free for next few years, I only wish I could get some more!

Yes! Thank you. I'd forgotten about Off spray. We've used it in Egypt and also the Caribbean and it's great stuff. You can buy it on Amazon. It's not cheap, but ive bought some anyway as it works for me!

NobbyNobbs · 17/05/2024 20:53

I've just seen a reel about vanilla essence and water in a spray bottle to repel mozzies.

Anyone heard anything about this?

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