Mosqitoes?

[rilo57]

 we used the avon skin so soft, was recomended to us by a forester from scotland, they all use it.It seams to work well for us.

[Karen]

I know I sound like a bit of a whinger, but I also got bitten/stung by something in the sea last year.  It wasn't a jelly fish but  something actually in the sand on the  sea bed itself. (Any ideas?).  Within minutes my foot had swollen up like a balloon.  I do also use Boots anti histamine cream for bites and that is fairly quick acting if you do get bitten and have an allergic reaction to bites/stings.

[tonyco1]

I was stung under my foot by a dead wasp or bee a few years back, right on the water-line of the beach.
Well it was dead after anyway!

Really painful! foot swelled up for a day or two - maybe that's it!

[Karen]

It could well be Tony.  Unfortunately these things can't be avoided wherever you go.  Just painful and inconvenient when it happens, especially when you can't get your high heels on!

[tonyco1]

I must remember to - - - or was it not to - - -  wear high heels then  - - LOL

[Karen]

 

[Richard/Jackie/Nathan]

Last week I used Boots aftersun with repellant and Jungle Formula (medium) and didn't get bitten once, Jackie just had 1 bite on each hand and that was all.

[tonyco1]

Richard - rumour has it that you were the one that bit her - - LOL

[Lesley]

Sea Cucumbers - read Grandma Unplugged Blogspot for all to do with it....??

[richnsare]

Over the last few years we've taken lots of advice and this combination seems to work really well for us:

1. Start taking a one-a-day antihistamine tablet 2 weeks before you depart (this doesn't stop bites, but does help with the reaction if you get bitten), we use the one beginning with a 'P'

2. Also, start taking a one-a-day vitamin B complex tablet at the same time (this one appently helps with the prevention)

3. Finally use an aftersun with a mosquitoe repellant.

Continue with the above throughout the holiday and use a plug-in in your room as backup. Over the last few years this combination has worked really well for the two of us. It cuts down the number of bites and it really helps with the reaction you get; its almost non existent. I think last year I ended up with a single bit over the two weeks in September and it was quite damp at times (the weather that is!!).

As always, I'm sure there are health warnings about mixing drugs etc, so read the small print first. Hopefully it will help you as much as it has for us. 

[tonyco1]

That's pretty good advice, but be careful with taking Piriton Anti-histamine tablets, they definitely make you drowsy.
They are banned by my Company's Occupational Health Doctors for that reason.
I have to deal with medications at work for my staff, who all work in safety critical jobs.

There are plenty of good alternatives, over the counter, which are much, much better.
I personally take one called Fexofenadine 120mg, the generic name, it's very effective and non-drowsy.
I have never been bitten

This and other brand name ones work well.
You do as richnsare say, need to take them for around 2 weeks as they rely on building up in your body, and they don't work like asprin etc, by taking one as required.

[Jimbo]

All good advice. It's probably a no-brainer, but sitting as far away from flower-pots and foliage when having evening meals is a good idea.

[Waspman]

Good advice from Jimbo, I'd sit AD far away from flowerpots too!!

[tonyco1]

When you've "AD" a few it seems!!

[Rob.tc]

Aloe Vera is supposed to be very good for mosqito bites.
If you can get the gel from actual plants and put it on as soon as you can I've read it can be very effective.
Am going to give it a try this year.