jaydeecee
New Member
Posts: 8
Visits to Skiathos: More than 10
Accommodation Stayed At: Maria Yiannis, La Luna,
Beltsios, Thanos, Nikos, Aphrodite
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Post by jaydeecee on Jun 26, 2017 15:10:54 GMT
Just come back from Kolios and the mosquitos once again found me very tasty. I dont think it matters much what you put on if they like the taste of you they'll get you regardless. Incidentally though I had a lot of bites but only a couple of really itchy ones and only one that was a little oozy (sorry not pleasant I know). Had an interesting experience after smothering myself in deet spray though. Was happily eating bread whilst awaiting meal and thought it tasted funny realised I'd been rubbing my arms and had the darn stuff all over my hands. Anyhow it seemed to act as an anaesthetic on my tongue as couldn't feel it all night....no it wasn't the ouzo!! Slept like a log as well...but definitely not recommended π
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Post by Tre on Jun 26, 2017 22:02:13 GMT
kevb; exactly. OH is a "srcatch the itch" sorta guy! Remember once at check in for flight home from I think, Lanazarote, I made him keep his hands in his pockets for fear they wouldn't let us on the flight! Bites looking like "raspberries" all over his hands!!!
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Jules
Junior Member
Love Skiathos ..its our little paradise.
Posts: 49
Visits to Skiathos: More than 10
Accommodation Stayed At: Villa Maria
Villa Angela
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Post by Jules on Jun 28, 2017 7:31:45 GMT
A few years a go one of the reps told me not to put on any perfume and to wear a plain (none-smelling deodorant), I tried it and didn't get bitten.. I got a few bites on my legs but used skin so soft on them before we went out ... if you get bitten buy the local stuff with hydrogen peroxide in it, it might sound horrible but it stings for a few seconds and then stops, I always find that works.
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Post by kathos on Jun 28, 2017 13:05:40 GMT
They dont like quinine which is found in tonic water so there's your pass to drink as much as you like flavoured with gin of course π I've heard some people say to eat marmite as the don't like that either probably along with half the population π
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roger
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by roger on Jul 30, 2017 10:26:18 GMT
Mosquitoes.....What do the locals do?
Some years ago we took an elderly Greek couple out for dinner. He had done a lot of building work for us over the years and we had become good friends. On arriving at the table they both lunged for the vinegar an proceeded to coat their arms, legs and just about everything else with this 'local mosquito deterrent'. Some minutes later it started evaporating, nearly choking us all to death to which we were told 'you wait and see'! Come the end of the meal, who had been attacked by the mossies? of course they had bless them.
Apologies if this reply finds it's way in to a completely unconnected area of this forum. this is my first reply/post and I'm far too old for technology like this. Roger
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Post by Tre on Jul 30, 2017 10:47:49 GMT
Hi roger. Welcome. Love this! We also were advised re vinegar years ago. "Leave a saucer of it on the balcony" they said....... Just attracted the wasps!! Hope you enjoy this forum
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Post by katet on Jul 30, 2017 12:34:02 GMT
I noticed yesterday that our local health shop has a display in the window of Incognito anti-mozzie products. They had spray, roll on, shampoo & body wash, soap, moisturiser, bite zappers and incense sticks ~ all natural ingredients. Anyone ever used Incognito?
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Post by dennisn on Jul 31, 2017 6:46:28 GMT
I think so, but I can't remember what it's called.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 31, 2017 7:03:12 GMT
Bitten to shreds this year.
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Post by dennisn on Jul 31, 2017 8:07:11 GMT
There's a surefire way to avoid mozzie bites - stay away from Koukounaries!
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 22, 2019 16:45:13 GMT
A zombie thread comes back to life.
A quick reminder, I was badly bitten 2 years ago at Koukounaries, and almost chomped to death this spring on Crete. I've decided to do something about it, and research things a little.
In the past I've simply not bothered with creams, and just stuck to taking my usual antihistamines. I don't know why, when it clearly hasn't worked! This time I've resolved not to suffer like I did this April.
Firstly, the lotions/sprays/creams. I've read quite a few online scientific/medical reports, and watched a few videos. This is a pretty good one on DEET:
That really does seem to work. Reading a few articles in scientific/medical journals, the scientists appear to think DEET, PMD, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are all pretty good. There's a story that the SAS use Avon Skin So Soft, but there's nothing secret or magic about it, it just contains picaridin.
Looking at all of the tests combined it looks like DEET is maybe just slightly better than the others, though there's not a lot in it. The % concentration of DEET in a product above 15% doesn't appear to make that product 'better', it just lasts longer, between 15% and 50%. However, some people get rashes and other side effects above 30%, so that looks like the best bet if you think you might not react well to it.
This is a good 30% one:
www.amazon.co.uk/Pyramid-lasting-Insect-Mosquito-Repellent/dp/B00CIZ0TVK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=deet+30%25&qid=1563811601&s=gateway&sr=8-1
This is a good 50% one if you want to go the whole hog:
www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Formula-Maximum-Aerosol-Repellent/dp/B00TRSVDJS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=deet+30%25&qid=1563811540&s=gateway&sr=8-5
I know some people say "Nothing works for me!", but when you look at the videos, and the number of tests which have been done, I think anyone wearing 30% DEET who still gets bitten is most probably not applying it correctly, not applying it often enough, or applying it correctly but then inadvertently washing it off. The little buggers hate it, and I don't care how juicy and/or nice-smelling you are, they're simply not going to land on you if you apply that correctly and frequently.
If and when you are bitten, antihistamine can help stop or reduce itching. I know that already, but what I didn't realise is that there are different types of antihistamine, and that some work better than others when specifically reducing mosquito bite irritation. Apparently cetirizine is best for this, here's the science:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12028119
But that's not the one I take every day, so I'm going to change. These look nice and cheap:
www.amazon.co.uk/Allacan-Cetirizine-Hayfever-Allergy-Tablets/dp/B01HYFNA50/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=allacan+cetirizine&qid=1563811514&s=gateway&sr=8-2
Finally, when I'm bitten, I find applying this sort of thing is a big help:
www.amazon.co.uk/AfterBite-Classic-Insect-Relief-Handy/dp/B00WX95YQG/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=after+bite+ammonia&qid=1563813178&s=gateway&sr=8-4
It stings like mad for a few seconds, but I always think that's a good sign. Again, like the above, there's plenty of good science behind using it. I'll post a link to the one I use when I can find it.
Anyway, that's the theory. In summary:
- Take the antihistamine cetirizine daily. - Cover exposed skin with a product containing 30% DEET (or up to 50% if you don't get any adverse reaction). - Apply a ammonia-based insect bite pen if you're bitten.
I'll try the lot, and let you know how I get on in practice. Hopefully it'll work, because Crete was VERY unpleasant.
But a question for now. Has anyone ever had a mosquito bite on their face or neck? When they attack me, I get them all over my legs, and occasionally on my forearms, but I can't ever remember getting them any higher.
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Post by kevb on Jul 23, 2019 9:31:54 GMT
I have been bitten on the face before but feet and ankles are the most common areas for most people apart from hands and arms. My worst experience (and my partner at the time, both had it as bad) was in Zante in some digs next to a stream that ran down to the sea, the plants around the edge of the stream were full of them. We eventually had to close outside slatted windows, innser glazed windows and put a damp towel over the bottom of the door like a draft excluder as they were getting in that way as well. If we wrapped the bedsheet round us they crawled into your hair and bit your scalp. Ended up basically sleeping in a sauna for 7 nights (no aircon available at all). I tried the antihistamines for 2 weeks before travelling but they made me very drowsy at work.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 23, 2019 11:22:59 GMT
No aircon.
I hate it being too hot. For that reason, I wouldn't book a holiday anywhere hot without AirCon.
I simply can't sleep properly and comfortably if it's too hot.
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Post by cariad23 on Jul 23, 2019 14:56:38 GMT
i found boots tropical excellent when i went to india just after the monsoon season when they were prolific, the only problem the crafty little devils lurked in the toilets by the outside dining areas, and you would hear a shriek and " ive been bitten on my bum " i love my battery powered tennis racquet thing that zaps them we keep on balcony table ready to swipe when we hear them a forearm smash works well, i have cleared the table of glasses several times. my son swears by avon skin so soft using it in mexico, thailand and india no bites. i took some to thassos one year and was dishing it out to the in laws too, we were all bitten badly after several days i noticed that i had picked up avon hair conditioner instead, practically identical bottle. I was bitten on the eyelids once while asleep my eyes swelled up nearly shut, awful that was lefkas never noticed them much as it was quite breezy at night, i think they all decamped indside to our room.
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dizzy
New Member
regular visitor since 1991
Posts: 4
Accommodation Stayed At: Many and varied
Skiathos Diamond at Kolios since it opened
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Post by dizzy on Jul 29, 2019 10:04:50 GMT
I attract the little critters but thankfully don't react too badly. Have tried the Avon SsS but not convinced. We were in the Caribbean earlier this year in an area with rain forest and lots of bugs so I tried a couple of new products. Not bitten at all when using Smidge (developed for Scottish midges but seems to work on anything) and Also Alfresco moisturiser and/or cologne. Nice smelling and seemed to work. The only time I did get bitten out there was when not wearing Smidge so will be bringing a large can with me! They also do a handbag sized mini-spray like a credit card which is great for taking out in the evenings. All of these products smell pleasant and don't seem to damage clothes. Have also tried Boots maximum strength while in another rain forest (you can see a theme developing here) and also worked well. When in Skiathos I buy local after bite stuff - figure if it's sold locally likely to work but also swear by Aloe Vera gel and Lavender oil. Husband is rarely if ever bitten so watches with amusement at my pre-leave the apartment routine. BTW one year I looped a couple of the anti-bug wrist bands around my handbag strap in the evening might have helped but can't be sure. Having had a horrible horse fly bite a couple of years ago at home which took ages to heal I also use a product called Mrs White's Unstung Hero. Again, nice scent and definitely works at home but in a large glass bottle so don't bother decanting or bringing to Skiathos.
Hope that helps.
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