Suffering on holiday - such a lightweight

[Theolittle]

This is more about me being a lightweight in coping with life but does anyone else struggle too?

it was day 3 yesterday in Spain. I’d walked 15k plus the first couple of days to get to final resort, after a city stop off, in trainers and not unusual for me. Went out in flip flops yesterday and got blisters on the bottom of my feet (8,5k steps total). Thought a paddle in the sea might help but got sand in one big blister (over an inch square) and it was super painful walking the 1k home after that. Had to cut open the blister to wash sand out - very painful last night so didn’t go out and hobbling round apartment. Still painful this morning -although much improved - don’t think I can walk around today though

Then the bites- I’ve used lots of different repellants on previous holidays which never work for me and this holiday trying Avon skin so soft. Didn’t put it on during the day though as had sun tan lotion on. Have 5 big bites and lots of small. Using cortisol antihistamine lots which takes the edge off but still super itchy and inflamed. My hand particularly bad last night was just one big mass of itching.

Then had to hobble to the loo during the night with the squitz🤦🏼‍♀️.

This is only the start of day 4 and I’ve got a week to go! Previous holidays the bites get worse and worse as the holiday goes on and it’s only when I get back to the cool of the UK that relieves them

Would be nice to have any tips but also to know it’s not just me!

the thread title is odd given the post

so you’ve got a blister and had a few bites?

Well when you put it like that I’m moaning unnecessarily

Point of the thread titles that I feel like a lightweight - I recognise how pathetic I’m being but I feel really shit

I have allergic reactions to insect bites. They are most unpleasant.

personally I use dressings and tape the dressings on after applying hydrocortisone cream.

if I get a lot of bites my whole system gets inflamed and my skin gets really bad.

I don’t think that makes you a lightweight.

Are you on holiday alone?

Thanks Octavia

Crown - No I’m with my partner. He’s full of energy and I feel like I’m holding him back, although he’s very supportive and understanding.

Re the blister, go to a supermarket or pharmacy and get those large compeed plasters that’ll stay on quite a few days and very cushioned.

re the bites you need an oral antihistamine to take the itch away, get a piriton or similar down you.

and stick with a healthy diet, fruit protein and carbs and you’ll adjust in no time.

For future trips, buy some walking sandals e.g. ECCO off-road, they are kind of pricey initially but last year's for me and you can wear them on the beach and in the sea, but equally comfy for doing 30,000 steps at Disney or on a city break. I mean 8,500 steps is not much for a day but flip flops are rarely comfy at least fog me. Also have you tried a DEET based insect repellent? That's what I used in malarial zones, it's always been effective. Sounds like you need something like calamine lotion now. My kids get bitten more than I do, sleeping with socks on hands stops them itching so much, not the most attractive look though.

Go to the pharmacy and get some of those big blister plasters and an antihistamine

I'd Have a day in today to let your stomach settle and lie in the cool air con (in you have it. )

Tell your partner to get on with his day however he wants but I'd give my foot a rest.

Then any future walking I'd do in trainers and forget the flip flops

My dd always ends up needing antibiotics and strong antihistamines when in Spain or Italy due to insect bites so you have my sympathy.
You need the strongest insect repellents available and use them constantly..
Hope you feel better soon and can enjoy the holiday.

Ould the upset tummy be from too much sun? Wear a hat. Get some compeed. Dose yourself up with antihistamine and spray your room and wear repellent in the evenings.

(sorry to derail OP - tbh that sounds unpleasant and I see why youre grumpy about it)
@Octavia64 - I think my DS5 might be allergic to insect bites. So far no GP has shown any interest. They keep telling me his bites are infected. Nobody questions why they get infected every time (surely not a coincidence)

id love to know if they were able to help treat your symptoms? How did you get a diagnosis?

As others have said, oral anti-histamine and deet spray/wipes. Also be meticulous about open windows and lights on.

If you are doing a lot of walking, please get some proper walking sandals for next time.

I think even in my most robust, daredevil days I’d have got blisters if I’d tried to walk 8.5k steps in flip flops. I consider those stroll to a lounger footwear, not tramp around for a few miles. And sand inside a blister is very painful - but it was just unfortunate, not a sign that you’re doing badly at life!

I think you’re probably feeling a bit miserable because of all the discomfort. Take some painkillers, plaster yourself in soothing cream, get a bunch of ice to cool anything that keeps itching. Spray on more bug repellent and cover up in something light. Then sit on the balcony or somewhere close by with your feet up with a view of the hot, Spanish horizon. Have a cold drink, read a good book or just doze in the sun (shade and sunscreen, though, OP, you don’t want sunburn on top of blisters and bug bites!), and get your DP to get something delish for you both to pick at. A lazy day on holiday is a great indulgence, and well worth your time. Recharge and head out to a local restaurant in the evening. See more sights another day.

Flip-flops are for potters or by the pool - lots of people would get blisters walking 4 miles plus in them. That doesn't make you a lightweight

Skin so soft is a moisturiser not an insect repellent. As such, regardless of the urban myths of its abilities, most people would get bitten. This too does not make you a lightweight.

It makes you someone who should only walk in trainers and needs to go out today and by some insect repellent before they get any more bites and to put it on on top of suncream as you are getting bitten during the day!

You don't need 'a diagnosis'...you can see it. Two of my kids are allergic to bites, they get massive and one in particular is a fluid filled blister for each bite. They take an oral antihistamine, put bite cream on, hydrocortisone if required.

What would 'a diagnosis' do? How would they diagnose being allergic to mozzy bites?

I feel your pain. I once walked 8 miles round Singapore in a pair of flip flops and my feet will never forgive me for that. I’d definitely recommend some Teva sandles. They aren’t what I’d call stylish but they look ok and you can walk around much more comfortably.
The only things I’ve found help all the mozzy bites is white tiger balm and a few glasses of rose.

As you’ve popped your blisters they should start feeling better quite quickly. Hope your holiday improves!

Previous holidays the bites get worse and worse as the holiday goes on and it’s only when I get back to the cool of the UK that relieves them

Not much help now, but maybe start thinking about holidays in places with less risk of insect bites?

Blisters: Compeed plasters
Bites: Deet based repellent.
Runs: Coke/Fanta and some TUC biscuits

Stay in shade for day.

You live and learn.
After causing ongoing knee pain walking too far in flop flops I bought proper walking sandals.
Same with bites. Every holiday id get a whopper so Deet repellent and oral antihistamine is a must in my packing list.

I recommend Incognito for insect repellent, I’ve never been bitten while using it even in tropical destinations and unlike DEET it doesn’t burn your skin. I put it on over sun cream.

For blisters I use the plaster strips like these because they cover a much bigger area so don’t move around - they are particularly good for heels but work for the sole as well. Much cheaper than compeed
too.

Think about (1) what you can do to rectify this now (2) what you can do differently in future to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Are you not used to walking this much?

I was bitten v badly this year on holiday. We were all taken by surprise as never been to an area where mosquitos were so rampant before.
As other have said take antihistamine and I found the aloe vera after sun gel we had much better than anything for easing the itching. If you can avoid scratching they should go down in a few days. Be religious with using a good repellent, especially morning and evening.

How many steps do you usually walk a day? Is 15k high step count for you? It’s 7 miles max?

Dont just suffer though. Go to a pharmacy or local clinic for blister plasters, antihistamine

I sympathise OP. I am very prone to blisters if I don't wear comfy shoes and react very badly to bites. My advice right now is to have a day of not walking around, take pain killers and ask your DP to go to a pharmacy for piriton (the generic name is chlorophenamine if they don't have piriton brand). I find that my reaction to insect bites is not only itchy and uncomfortable but makes my whole body feel 'off' so the stomach issues etc could be part of that. I find that piriton is the only antihistamine that helps- creams etc do nothing once I have a bad reaction. Be aware though that piriton can make you drowsy (not a bad thing if you're having a rest day and have had disrupted sleep, just be prepared to take a nap if you need it).

For future holidays I'd get some walking sandals for shorter walks, and wear trainers with trainer socks for any longer walks. You can always take a pair of flip flops to change in to when you get to the beach. For bites, take a one-a-day type antihistamine every day for a few weeks before you go on holiday and throughout your holiday. Take piriton with you ready to take at the first sign of a bite. Use a DEET based insect repellent, especially in the evening. Skin so soft may work for some people but DEET is the only thing that I find really works. If you have it, turn the air conditioning in your room on - bugs hate it so it will help you avoid getting more bites when you are resting.