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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 29, 2019 10:25:13 GMT
I've seen that Smidge, it's another Picaridin-based one (like Skin So Soft).
All good stuff.
Thanks for the advice.
One thing I'm aware of, I got bitten most (almost entirely, I think) when on the 4x4 trip up into the mountains. I'm wanting to do a similar trip on Skiathos. I can only imagine the risks will be even higher, given that Skiathos is so green. I really need to make sure I am fully covered with loose clothing, the clothing is sprayed, and all exposed areas absolutely slathered.
And finally...
I understand the mozzies are attracted by perfumed/scented soap, deodorants, shampoos, etc. Can anyone recommend any good unscented ones? Or any deodorant which has a scent they don't like!
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Post by balddave on Jul 29, 2019 10:52:20 GMT
Several years ago we went to the Maldives, we got advised to use a cactus based sun cream ( think it was an American product) and neither of us received a single bite, This is an unusual occurrence for my wife, being diabetic her blood attracts the little blighters. We did purchase some tie on wrist bands from the natural product shop on papadiamanti street this year, they worked ok.
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 339
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jul 29, 2019 17:39:32 GMT
And finally...
I understand the mozzies are attracted by perfumed/scented soap, deodorants, shampoos, etc. Can anyone recommend any good unscented ones? Or any deodorant which has a scent they don't like! Simple Soap is without perfume. Not sure if they do a deodorant but they do a shower gel/soap.
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Post by kelso on Jul 29, 2019 18:42:09 GMT
I find that the ammonia pens, available from pharmacies, is really good for relieving the itch, if you apply it immediately. Bob
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 30, 2019 10:28:35 GMT
I find that the ammonia pens, available from pharmacies, is really good for relieving the itch, if you apply it immediately. Bob
This is true, the earlier the better.
But I also find they can speed up the healing process, even if you apply them later.
In Crete I had over a dozen very nasty bites, which were oozing and weeping for a day and a half before I managed to get a pen on them. They almost immediately stopped oozing, scabbed over, and started to heal. I've had similar experiences before.
Despite not going for another 2 months, my pen is packed already!
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 2, 2019 8:29:11 GMT
Someone at Facebook just posted this link - very pleasing to see it says what my research flagged up. www.bug-off.org/
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Oct 30, 2019 13:45:09 GMT
I'm going to do a bit of a 'mopping up' exercise, post-holiday. Starting with the mosquito issue.
For the purposes of this holiday I attempted to follow the findings of my research as much as possible.
Firstly, I switched my daily antihistamine to Cetirizine.
Secondly I switched my toiletries to unfragranced ones. Simple Pure Soap. Simple Shampoo and Conditioner. Simple Soothing Anti-perspirant. King of Shaves AlphaGel.
Thirdly, I bought a plugin for the room.
Fourthly, I took to wearing a 50% DEET formula on exposed skin.
Finally, I carried After Bite for if/when I was bitten.
First night didn't go well, but all my fault. I plugged in my plugin, and checked the light underneath to ensure it was on. However, I was unaware that the plug, positioned underneath the room's large, back-lit mirror, turned on and off with the switch to the backlight. Subsequently, when turning the light off for the night, I also turned off the plug in. Result - 3 bites on my left hand. I sleep on my right, so it was pretty much the only exposed part of my skin, other than my face.
From then on, I ensured that the plugin was on every night, and that I always sprayed exposed areas with DEET before going out. This involved moving it to a different socket. The unit worked well, but it became apparent after a few days that it was dripping in to the carpet below, leaving a stain.
The result was zero bites * all holiday. Bearing in mind that I'm usually a mosquito magnet, and used to ending up looking like I've had a bad case of chicken pox (particularly on my legs) I consider this a triumph.
* Now, the one exception. On the penultimate day of my holiday I went on a 4x4 jeep trip up into the mountains. It was during a similar trip in April on the Crete holiday that I suffered worst. Subsequently I decided to wear a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers. That lasted for 5 minutes, I didn't even leave the room. Just too warm. So, I applied plenty of DEET, and ensured my shorts, socks and shirt were covered in a clothing-based repellant.
The results were spectacular. I will not lie, I did receive 1 (one) bite to my right forearm, but that was it. Why? I can only guess that I either missed a bit when applying, or that part of my arm was rubbed at some point. That aside I was completely bite-free. I cannot express just how much this enhanced my holiday.
As a general note, you may remember the video I posted earlier. You can see at the start that, in that case, the DEET was applied in the form of a lotion/cream. This is VERY difficult to get hold of in the UK. I managed to get a bottle of this, though it remains unused. It has to be said that, as almost £12 for a 50ml bottle, it is prohibitively expensive (compare the DEET aerosol at almost a third of that price). I feel that a lotion would be a much more effective way of applying the DEET, less prone to 'missing bits', and more likely to ensure the lotion is 'rubbed in', and so less likely to rub off.
Whatever application you use, I suspect it would be far easier and more accurate if you don't apply it yourself, but get someone else to do it for you.
In conclusion, I can only say that my experience supported the research. I thoroughly recommend that anyone who suffers from mosquitos follows the expert advice linked to in this thread.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 18, 2020 9:54:42 GMT
A quick heads up for mosquito bite sufferers. Firstly, a quick reminder of the post above - you can read in more detail here: theyorkshiremouth.blogspot.com/2020/03/avoiding-and-treating-mosquito-bites.htmlSecondly, a big tip on buying DEET. Superdrug are now expensive. Normal price for 125ml Jungle Formula Maximum (50% DEET) is £6. Superdrug are selling it for £10. There's a 'buy-1-ger-2nd-half-price deal, meaning two are £15, or £7.50 each, which is still expensive. Their own brand 'Buzz Off' is £8.49 per 125ml. Even with the second for half price that's still over £6 each. Sainsbury's have Jungle Formula Maximum at £6, however they're doing their own brand for just £4 per 125ml, which is excellent value. I think it's the cheapest I've ever seen a 50% DEET product.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 18, 2020 12:05:41 GMT
Quick addition - the Jungle Formula plug ins are massively varied in price at the moment.
Cheapest I can see is Wilko at £8, though if you order online it's an extra £5+ for postage.
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Post by dennisn on Jul 18, 2020 14:27:12 GMT
Whatever application you use, I suspect it would be far easier and more accurate if you don't apply it yourself, but get someone else to do it for you. I'm available at my home, appointments welcome, ladies only please, I am equipped with mask and gloves, although I don't actually wear the gloves for the applying bit, and I specialise in doing the white bits.
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magicsteph
Junior Member
Posts: 38
Visits to Skiathos: More than 10
Accommodation Stayed At: Erm...
Bellina - Aghia Paraskevi (no longer used I don't think)
Elizabeth - AP
Prekas - AP
Ostria - AP
Hotel magic - AP
The apts attached to iguana bar - AP (would not recommend)
Anna Maria - AP (most recent and going back)
Yiannis - Troulos
Somewhere in the back of beyond in Troulos a long time ago.
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Post by magicsteph on Jul 20, 2020 11:29:47 GMT
Just and addition to DEET. Do not use it if you have allergies. Me and my daughter had a nasty reaction to DEET last year. Nearly ended up at the medical centre. We both had breathing difficulties like we'd suddenly had an asthma attack. Mozzues don't like wind but the love it near standing water. Our villa is up a hill and cached the breeze nicely, so no Mozzies last year. Can also use citronella sprays.i do find the ammonia after bite very effective.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 20, 2020 12:11:54 GMT
Just and addition to DEET. Do not use it if you have allergies. Me and my daughter had a nasty reaction to DEET last year. Nearly ended up at the medical centre. We both had breathing difficulties like we'd suddenly had an asthma attack. Mozzues don't like wind but the love it near standing water. Our villa is up a hill and cached the breeze nicely, so no Mozzies last year. Can also use citronella sprays.i do find the ammonia after bite very effective. Good point. For anyone allergic to DEET I'd use PMD/Picardin, or lemon eucalyptus, though you'll have to apply the latter more regularly. DEET can cause severe allergic reactions, but it's extremely rare. It's possible that other repellents are just as dangerous (you'll always get people who allergic to anything - nuts, eggs, etc.), but as the others haven't been used as long and as widely as DEET, there's not as much data. It's fairly rare to have an allergic reaction, and hugely unusual that both you and your daughter both had one so bad. Did you inhale it? It's certainly true that you must be careful. Don't spray it on your face; instead spray it into your hands and rub it onto your face. Don't get any in your eyes, mouth, or nose. But some information is starting to appear on the other products: www.medicaljournals.se/acta/download/10.1080/00015550510025597/Be careful of claims about any replant being 'natural'. Even the lemon eucalyptus is chemically produced, rather than farmed. On Citronella sprays and candles, these came up in my research, and are at best 'not very good at all', and at worst useless. www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/want-repel-mosquitoes-don-t-use-citronella-candlesBut they smell nice, and won't do you any harm. By the way, I've found the Jungle Formula plug ins at an even lower price - £4.99 at Home Bargains.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 20, 2020 12:29:54 GMT
While we're here, one more thing you might spot if/when you read the research is that's the difference between UK and US attitudes to DEET between 30% & 50% concentration. American say use max 30%, and Brits 50%.
However, when you drill down into their reasons, there's not actually a lot of difference.
All agree that DEET increases in effectiveness between 0% & 15%. All agree that at over 15% (all the way up to 100%) there's no further increase in effectiveness.
All agree that there is, however, an increase in longevity between 15% & 50%.
All agree that there's no increase in longevity between 50% & 100%.
All agree that there's a slight increase in the chances of an allergic reaction the higher the %, and that's from 1% to 100%. But the word is 'slight'.
So if they agree on the above, why is there a difference?
30% gets you 'up to 6 hours' of protection. 50% gets you 'up to 12 hours'.
The Americans' opinion is that, with 30% DEET, 6 hours protection is more than enough for most situations, so even the the risk is only slight, why bother chancing it by using anything stronger. It's not often you'll be out for over 6 hours, and you can reapply it anyway.
The British scientists take the point of view that the risk of an allergic reaction is minimal. If you are going to get a reaction at 50% that's potentially dangerous, then you'd have seen at least some small reaction at 30%. So if you try 30% and get no reaction, you're not going to get anything severe at 50%. In addition, a day at the beach may involve a stay of over 6 hours (and remember that's 'up to' 6 hours) and it may be a pain to re-apply. You would also potentially end up applying an aerosol outdoors - maybe in a breeze - which increases the chances of areas being accidentally missed. Or you may apply it in the toilet when you go for lunch, and it might be more dangerous spraying DEET in such an enclosed space.
So for British scientists, the balance of risk is in favour of using up to 50%.
You pays your money and you makes your choice. I have no reaction at all to DEET, even at 50%, so it's a no-brainer for me.
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magicsteph
Junior Member
Posts: 38
Visits to Skiathos: More than 10
Accommodation Stayed At: Erm...
Bellina - Aghia Paraskevi (no longer used I don't think)
Elizabeth - AP
Prekas - AP
Ostria - AP
Hotel magic - AP
The apts attached to iguana bar - AP (would not recommend)
Anna Maria - AP (most recent and going back)
Yiannis - Troulos
Somewhere in the back of beyond in Troulos a long time ago.
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Post by magicsteph on Jul 20, 2020 13:04:58 GMT
While we're here, one more thing you might spot if/when you read the research is that's the difference between UK and US attitudes to DEET between 30% & 50% concentration. American say use max 30%, and Brits 50%. However, when you drill down into their reasons, there's not actually a lot of difference. All agree that DEET increases in effectiveness between 0% & 15%. All agree that at over 15% (all the way up to 100%) there's no further increase in effectiveness. All agree that there is, however, an increase in longevity between 15% & 50%. All agree that there's no increase in longevity between 50% & 100%. All agree that there's a slight increase in the chances of an allergic reaction the higher the %, and that's from 1% to 100%. But the word is 'slight'. So if they agree on the above, why is there a difference? 30% gets you 'up to 6 hours' of protection. 50% gets you 'up to 12 hours'. The Americans' opinion is that, with 30% DEET, 6 hours protection is more than enough for most situations, so even the the risk is only slight, why bother chancing it by using anything stronger. It's not often you'll be out for over 6 hours, and you can reapply it anyway. The British scientists take the point of view that the risk of an allergic reaction is minimal. If you are going to get a reaction at 50% that's potentially dangerous, then you'd have seen at least some small reaction at 30%. So if you try 30% and get no reaction, you're not going to get anything severe at 50%. In addition, a day at the beach may involve a stay of over 6 hours (and remember that's 'up to' 6 hours) and it may be a pain to re-apply. You would also potentially end up applying an aerosol outdoors - maybe in a breeze - which increases the chances of areas being accidentally missed. Or you may apply it in the toilet when you go for lunch, and it might be more dangerous spraying DEET in such an enclosed space. So for British scientists, the balance of risk is in favour of using up to 50%. You pays your money and you makes your choice. I have no reaction at all to DEET, even at 50%, so it's a no-brainer for me. We are in the sensitive bracket. She's t1 diabetic and I have allergies to a few things, morphine being 1. We are both allergic to sweeteners. I usually make my own mozzy repellant. I use doterra essential oils, citronella, lemon and eucalyptus, which are natural and professional use, and I used these for years when I was a masseuse/reflexologist. Last Yr I had run out so bought the jungle spray because it had good reviews. I'll be going back to my own this year.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 20, 2020 13:50:03 GMT
We are in the sensitive bracket. She's t1 diabetic and I have allergies to a few things, morphine being 1. We are both allergic to sweeteners. I usually make my own mozzy repellant. I use doterra essential oils, citronella, lemon and eucalyptus, which are natural and professional use, and I used these for years when I was a masseuse/reflexologist. Last Yr I had run out so bought the jungle spray because it had good reviews. I'll be going back to my own this year. A very important distinction needs to be made here. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus - YES! Basically, it contains PMD, which is a know and proven repellent. HOWEVER, Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil - NO! Despite having a similar name, it's not the same thing, and offers little-to-no protection. Indeed, it's so weak in PMD, you'd probably cause yourself more damage by using enough to make a difference than a mosquito bite! aromabridge.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/mythbusting-lemon-eucalyptus-essential-oil-as-a-mosquito-repellent/In general, I'd avoid 'essential oils' like the plague. They're largely unregulated, and there's little evidence that any of them work. www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/essential-oils-terrible-bug-repellents/The bottom line is this. Only DEET, PMD, Icaridin and IR3535 are proven repellents. That's it. Relying on anything else is not a good idea. The very best you can say is that they're 'unproven'. In almost every case this means scientific studies have been done (often many times) and found them to be of little or no value. A great site for resources is: www.bug-off.org/Don't let the humorous name fool you. It's a product of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - the world experts on research into this stuff.
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