Anti Mosquito Tips Needed !

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I get eaten alive each time we go on holiday ! Last time, every single bite became infected and I needed a shot from the local clinic (we were in Corfu).
I’m off to Portugal at the end of the month, never been before, are the mozzies as vicious as in Greece ?! I want to go armed and ready and throw everything at the little buggers - please share your best tips to fend them off. Thank you.

This is what I do. I wear those plaited bracelets you can get from Amazon all day. At night I spray myself all over with the strongest jungle repellent I can get. Don’t wear perfume, wear tea tree oil, it stinks but needs must, mozzies don’t like it. In your room keep windows and door closed and have one of those plug in things. If you do get bitten tea tree oil on the bite will relieve the itching for a while. Good luck.

Brilliant, thank you,
Those plaited bands work then ?

Incognito products are excellent.

I’ve no idea because I’ve never used them on their own, but I used to get so many bites and react so badly to them I use everything I can. The last couple of times I’ve been away I haven’t been bitten once.

Well that’s encouraging !
It ruins the holiday, doesn’t it. Thanks for the info @cramptramp

Jungle formula repellant. Keep windows shut and plug in devices. Cover up at night. Don't sit out without lots of repellant. Take anti histamines for weeks before you go and during stay. Take hydro cortisone cream with you.

I’ll look them up, cheers.

Jungle formula and take an antihistamine every day

My mum reckons if you eat lots of marmite they leave you alone. No idea if it's true or not.

Take a course of antihistamines for weeks before you go, use roll on jungle formula rather than spray (gets better coverage). Use coconut or lemon scented shower gel/soap/shampoo. Either we were very lucky on our last holiday or this all helped. It’s what we did after several holidays when we were plagued by the buggers. DH in particular normally reacts very badly. You’ve reminded me to stock up on antihistamines ahead of this years holiday!

Would also recommend incognito products. I am a magnet to mosquitos and I find that if I wear this I’m good.

If you can, put a fan on, it discourages them.

Avon Skin So Soft Original is brilliant at keeping the bugs away! Much cheaper than the proprietary brands. It also helps your skin to tan, but obviously don't go crazy with sitting in the sun as it isn't a sun cream.

Hello fellow sufferer. I second taking anti histamines before you go. Only sprays with deet in have any benefit for me. I bought one of those ceramic heat pens for insect bites - it really does work but you have to use them soon after being bitten and I miss them sometimes.
Toothpaste can stop the bites itching and help you get some sleep.

I take antihistamines every day all year round. My last 2 holidays I’ve reacted really badly with huge fluid filled blisters, so I’m reading with interest to see what else I can do.

Agree about the daily anti-histamines leading up to and during your holiday. If I do get bit I find Anthisan cream and the anti-histamines help to stop them getting too bad. Mine often lead to infections but by using both of these they tend to calm down quicker and don’t get infected.

Mosquito Milk. It's expensive - but it really works!

Brewers yeast is amazing at stopping bites. Can be bought from health stores. Start taking a few weeks before holiday

Dont know the area or - based on India Cover up - long sleeve and trousers, can be light. Don’t forget you feet and ankles when spraying.if you are arriving in the evening apply before leaving the airport terminal if for instance you may be waiting outside for a hotel shuttle.

Wash just your hands after you put it on if you rub in - insect repellent tastes horrible if you are eating with your hands. Such as snacks. (probably not safe to swallow either.)

Im not as bad as I was - we have some spray for the airport then get something in the pharmacy (it’s for children and babies as adults generally not affected). Therefore suitable for local conditions.

if you are in a villa/house close the door properly when you enter and leave.

Thanks so much everyone.
Great tip to start antihistamines, I’ll start tomorrow - just a bog-standard anti-h ? Or anything in particular.
I am determined that they’re not going to get me this year !

I believe it’s something to do with blood type but I don’t get bitten but as a precaution we eat a lot of garlic as they are not supposed to like the taste!

As well as taking the antihistamines, taking b12 for 2 weeks beforehand is also meant to help. (This is why the Marmite and brewers yeast get recommended). It worked for me in Turkey, but the best tip I read was that when you get bitten, pour boiling water over a teaspoon and then when it's as hot as you can bear, press the back of it on to the bite. It destroys the proteins and relieves the itching straight away.

Tackle it from all angles, antihistamine, jungle formula, the cheap wipes you can get from b and m, take them out with you and use them constantly, if you missed a patch of skin, they will find it, finally buy a can of mossie spray and spray your room liberally before you go out, also try sleep with a sheet wrapped round you.

You need Deet.
i use Mosi-off bracelets on wrists & ankles - not the Deet-free ones - as well as the usual clothing precautions.
Not been bitten since I discovered them.

I tried this stuff years ago. It made no difference whatsoever. I had loads of bites.