Mosquito Problem

[JayBlake]

I need help. Serious, serious help.

I'm a human pincushion of mozzie bites, at the moment - but I can't abide "Deet".

Was hoping all the reports of Avon's "Skin-So-Soft" would prove correct but, despite spending a small fortune on enough to last me the duration of my holiday, my ankles, feet, knees (front and back) elbows, neck and arms resmble a cartoon depiction of a kid with the measles.

If they ain't itching, they're hurting and I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself, at the moment.

What's worse is that I've a scheduled trip to Burma soon and I've heard they are even more prevalent and pack a nastier "punch" there.

What to do???????

[Sheryl]

Have you tried the various organic repellents sold in Thailand? They are all based on citronella, smell lemony.

frequent bathing helps, both by removing scent and cooling off your skin (the heat attracts them)

Some people find vitamin B6 supplements helpful although this has never been proven. Likewose some people find garlic pills helpful.

BTW it may not be that you get bitten more than most as much as that you react more strongly to the bites.

Tiiger balm applied to the bites will help the itching...that or a cream containing hydrocortisone 1%

[transam]

Chang your soap and deodorant. Helps a bit.

[kokesaat]

This stuff is readily available, about 65 baht for a spray bottle. Also works good as an air freshener. It works equally as well for my wife (Thai), me (not), and our daughter (50/50). No deet

[JayBlake]

Have you tried the various organic repellents sold in Thailand? They are all based on citronella, smell lemony.

frequent bathing helps, both by removing scent and cooling off your skin (the heat attracts them)

Some people find vitamin B6 supplements helpful although this has never been proven. Likewose some people find garlic pills helpful.

BTW it may not be that you get bitten more than most as much as that you react more strongly to the bites.

Tiiger balm applied to the bites will help the itching...that or a cream containing hydrocortisone 1%

Thanks, I already take Vitamin B supplements (as I heard recently that a study has shown such can ward off dimentia and Alzheimers).

You could well be corrct in that I "overreact" to the bites. I'm blue-eyed, auburn, fair skin and freckles. 5' 10" and under 150lb so not carrying too much weight yet my one ankle and foot has swollen to the point that it appears, if I stuck a pin in it, it would pop same-same as a ballon.

Chang your soap and deodorant. Helps a bit.

Have taken your advice and bought a new brand of soap (but I ain't changing my preferred aftershave in a hurry - Farang hom dee mak-mak).

This stuff is readily available, about 65 baht for a spray bottle. Also works good as an air freshener. It works equally as well for my wife (Thai), me (not), and our daughter (50/50). No deet

I'll see if I can track some down. tomorrow. Thanks for that.

Thanks to everyone who's offered advice.

[meatboy]

its been posted that you should change your soap amongst other deoderants,i used to get bit during the day then i read up on strong smelling deods.like after shave,perfumed soaps i stopped useing a.shave,used prickly heat,soap i changed to dettol,it made a big diff.evening i always wear lightweight trs.and spray with skeleton,if you smell nice or not the girls will still sit with you.

[Albacore]

I don't think I was bit by a single mosquito in Myanmar, and I never used any repellent. My girlfriend, a Thai, gets bit all the time in Thailand, yet the only place I've ever had an issue with mosquitos in Southeast Asia is on Koh Samed.

[MisterMan]

This stuff is readily available, about 65 baht for a spray bottle. Also works good as an air freshener. It works equally as well for my wife (Thai), me (not), and our daughter (50/50). No deet

It says it has natural herbs but does not say all natural. Sketelone regular is FULL OF DEET!!!! Stop spraying your family with poison! Deet will melt plastic.

Plenty of natural sprays around.. try Boots but read the instructions.

www.goodkarmathailand.com has a very nice natural oil, a bit more work to put on but it works.

I have seen many natural one in many shops. Also try wearing long close.