Mosquito

[xminator]

So, best tip on repellents when wearing clothing that exposes skin?

Best tip on relief when the buggers leave a huge number of large red itchy lumps on your skin?

[tim armstrong]

A perennial problem. Like others on this forum, I've been trying to invent my own. But,sad to say DEET based repellents are still the best.

Option: - DEET or no DEET ? Boots own brand is the strongest -50% and the best and most expensive. Most of the others are around 15%. They are effective, but not for long. The local brands in 7/11s are cheapest. Try the small pink coloured bottle with a clear spray - 12% DEET. Good value. There are other brands like OFF,or RID from other countries but they're much the same.

Option 2: -If you don't like DEET then the olive oil/Dettol 50/50 mixture mentioned here on tv is good, but the smell doesn't appeal to everyone. I add some citronella to it. Tea tree repellant from Oz - Thursday Plantation,- sold here in Bangkok is very good, but hard to find.

Other things to do that help a lot. If the mozzies are around your house, be sure that there is not much still water around, ie in flower pots, or ponds. Don't have too many trees right next to your house. If possible put fish in the larger ponds. Of course they don't like aircon or fans.

Eat - less red meat and more vegetables and fish. Mozzies can smell the meat through your skin. Same with alcohol, particularly beer, but less with wine. Also on smell, use Vitamin B complex, everyday, particularly B12 if you can find it. Supposedly it gives off a smell that they don't like, but we can't smell it. Wear non-scented deodorants,- perfume attracts them. Wear light coloured clothing, red and other colours do attract them. I'm not sure about the acclimatisation idea, I still get bitten after nearly 10 years here. Anyway others may add to or debate this one. Let me know if you find a magic treatment. Regards

[tim armstrong]

Forgot your last question. Most DEET based repellants ease the pain of the red bite as well as repel. Also hot showers help. Another Oz product called STINGOS is excellent, but don't know if its here. Rarely a few people mainly from Europe seem to be allergic to bites. A Dutch friend of mine tried everything, but eventually had to go home, much as he loved Thailand. Regards

[H2oDunc]

I favour the drinking lots of Chang repellent method myself. It must taint the blood or something but they tend to leave you alone.

If they do bite I find the small menthol inhalers they sell in the 7/11 are very good for relief. If you unscrew the bottom of the inhaler you can then dab a little menthol on the bite and the itching and irritation stops.

[ELCata]

Mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide emitted from the skin, so you need something to mask the 'smell' of it. DEET has proven to be the most effective.

http://www.nejm.org/...1699#t=abstract

I got severely bitten during my first trip but this stuff, regularly applied, seems to do the trick; available cheaply from 711 / Family Mart.

Salves containing hydrocortisone are the best for treating bites, although I've heard that scratching Windolene (contains ammonia) into the bites may be more effective.

[Sheryl]

yes, a mild steroid cream (hydrocortison, bexamethoasone etc -- there are innumerable ones on the market here, all cheap) will do the trick for the itching, apply just a little bit as smearing on large quantities not advisable. Just a little dab on each spot.

Aside from the repellents mentioned, frequent baths/showers helps a great deal. in 2 ways: reduces odor they can track you by and cools you off, as they also sense and track body heat.

If you don't like the idea of chemicals, you can get natural citronella-based repellents here too. they work fine for me, but then I've been here so long the mosquitoes find me dull. (Seriously, for whatever reasons, newcomers really seem to attract them).

[dddave]

For reducing the itching once bitten, I've had good luck with medicinal alcohol swabbed on the bite. Also, a paste made with a bit of Bicarbonate of Soda and water or a similar paste made with a crushed aspirin tablet applied to the bite seems to work well. I remember reading that meat tenderizer is also supposed to be effective.

[MisterMan]

I would not put Deet on my skin! Deet is so strong it melts plastic and varnish, like nail polish and on furniture.

There are some natural alternatives.

There is a good online health food store in Thailand now.

http://www.goodkarmathailand.com that has both a very nice natural oil if you are not to lazy to use it and an organic spray,

also they have some balms with out petroleum (such as tiger balm has)

(Petroleum being refined crude oil and the base for many products

For the bumps you can also try apple cider vinegar, lemon.. never tried the baking soda but sounds good.

Edited February 17, 2011 by MisterMan