mosquito bites

[louise66]

Just wondered if anyone could recommend any lotions or potions suitable for DC aged 13 months and 5 1/2 yrs ? We will be staying in a campsite near venice where they are apparently ferocious and the place is infested with them... I'm taking it for granted that they will get bitten so want to go well prepared. Thanks Louise

You can use repellants with up to 10% Deet, but you should wash them off when they are no longer at risk.

Avon Skin So Soft dry oil spray.

I used an aromatherapy blend on myself and the DCs when we went to Sardinia a few weeks ago. We usually get very badly bitten but I'm extremely reluctant to use conventional anti-mozzie stuff. Using this blend, I got just 1 bite in 2 weeks and the kids weren't bitten at all: 4 drops lavender (lavandula angustifolia) and 2 drops citronella blended into 30mls of olive oil (I was worried about the base oil spilling into my case so just bought best quality extra virgin olive oil in resort). This is a very low dilution and is suitable for babies over a year old but I make sure I don't put blend on DCs hands (in case they are "finger suckers" like mine!!). For myself, I used 9 drops lavender, 4 drops peppermint oil and 2 drops citronella in 30mls olive oil. This is a stronger blend and should not be used on the kids. You can buy the essential oils from most health food shops but go for a good brand such as Neals Yard or Tisserand (you could even buy direct from those companies online if you have the time).

There is a product called Mosiguard which you can get from chemists which doesn't contain DEET, I've used it on my 3 month old DD in India with no problems.

I second Mosiguard, get it from www.travelpharm.co.uk I have used it the last 7 years in Africa on 3 dc from a month upwards.

Skin-so-soft doesn't work. Tried it in Antigua this year!

We have a little thing that you press on the bites and it disperses the poison is a yellow thingy from boots.

Does it quarter them, madame?

When I get a mosquito bite, I cut it into four with my thumbnail, and it goes in no time. DH said that he used to have a little gadget that did the same.

vinegar is supposed to be good when you already have a bite

lemon juice is a god repellant, but not in the day obv because then you'll attract wasps

lemon juice is a *good repellant not GOD repellant

you'll have little devils to repel then!

Does anyone know if the Mosiguard is ok for use during pregnancy as well as on small children? Will be 13 weeks with #3 when we go on holiday so need something safe for myself as well as for my boys aged 3 and 1.

I used it daily during all 3 of my pregnancies with no problems, actually imo it was the only one that worked well on me. You have to turn a blind eye to the smell though

I love the smell of mosiguard - it has lemongrass / citronella in it.

Yes the little zapper/clicker things are good if you do get bitten.

We used Avon SSS spray and had no trouble on our second visit to France this month.

In June for first visit (minus Avon SSS) we were savaged. Dh says it's also because he bought a really good Citronella candle for the second visit, but he has more faith in them than I do. Naplam is a better solution

Thanks for this
would like some advice on staying safe with 3 mth old in malaria risk country
and would appreciate some advice from meshellby who mentioned being in india with 3 mth old