Mosquito bites

Thanks everyone for your prompt responses. At least I don't feel so alone in the world. Lots of useful advice here. I will definitely be better prepared for our next foreign jaunt, or for the situation back home in our current heatwave. X

I understand that Citonella oil is an effective repellent.

Thanks. Did disinfect with vodka. OH not amused

I used red Tiger Balm for years. Recently bought some white. The only difference is that the white stuff doesn't show up so much on my skin and doesn't stain clothes. Not that clothes staining has been a big issue, but it might be if you always wore white shirts, I suppose.

I haven't tried the other things you mention.

Not sure why I'm bothered about it showing up on my skin. After all, the bites do!!

I think there is a touch of alarmism about ticks nowadays. Obviously one doesn't want to get Lyme Disease but I think the risk is quite low (it must be or I'd have had it many times!), especially if you extract the beasts and disinfect the bites.

Baggs Have been googling Tiger Balm and there are so many to choose from (Red,white,balm,liniment,oil etc.)
What do you use?
Had a tick on my leg yesterday and was convinced I wouldn't wake up this morning!

I think mine are beyond Germolene (usually good) and Anthisan now.
Have just taken an anti-histamine tablet

Tiger Balm - I could try that as well now (I was going to use cortisone cream but am wary of that).

I must have nice blood.
I'm lovely and tasty too

Germolene is brilliant on insect bites.??

Tiger Balm is excellent on mosquito or midge bites. I've used it for over twenty years on mine. I've also been using it on tick bites this year. I've had so many that I've lost count.

I disinfect tick bites, after I've removed the blighters, with a dab of gin (rubbing alcohol would do but I've got some old cheap gin to use up). When they itch, usually next day, I rub on Tiger Balm.

The only thing that I've found prevents bites for me is nets. Even military strength midge repellent is sueless on me. I must have nice blood.

Have you tried Jungle Formula Insect repellant? That is very effective, in fact 100% effective for us. You need one containing 50% Deet and apply it religiously before going out.

I seem to be a target for any mosquitos in the vicinity and always have a terrible reaction to the bites. The only thing that has ever worked for me is Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray. It's the only thing I use now.

Great, got the link Squiffy. Lots of advice all and will certainly give some a try. We both seem to have become more attractive to them as we have become older. You would think by now we should have developed some immunity. This trip seems to have been particularly bad, could be due to last week's unusually heavy rain here in Greece which has led the beasts to multiply rapidly in the humid heat. But why feed on us two white Brits and leave everyone else untouched and flawless? Will let you know if we have any success with preventative measures on our next trip. Home on Friday.

It doesn't seem to work for me Nonnie; neither did garlic capsules.

My feet got bitten yesterday in the garden and I went to Boots to buy some anti-histamine tablets and some antibiotic cream (Anthisan is OK but the combination of the former two I find best). However, I can't buy the antibiotic cream off prescription now.
The nice assistant enquired why didn't I use a prevention rather than a cure and I said that I had used a natural spray but not one with Deet in it.

I read that Vit B supplement stops them biting you and started taking it a few years ago and am not bitten anywhere near as much as I used to be. Not only am I bitten less but the bites don't come up in the big red wheels they used to. Apparently overdosing on Marmite works too!

I'm on desktop now so can do a link!
Try this link:

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1249618-Mosquitos-what-is-the-point-of-their-existence

Brilliant. I will look now. Thanks once more all.x

Found it!!
"Mosquitoes - what is the point of their existence?"

Sorry can't do link on phone!

The thread is called something like “ what is the point of a mosquito”

Go into forums then in the search box type
Mosquito Bites ....I think it’s there .

Thanks again Squiffy but trying to find your suggested thread is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I cannot for the life of me make any sense of search on here. Will give itch cream a try but would also like to know is there anything you can use to prevent their attraction to you?

Thank you. I will try to find this recent thread. Must have missed it as I would have certainly been grateful for its advice.

Anthisan

Annapops There was a recent thread about this, if you can search for it. Sorry, I haven't time to look for it for you at the moment!

Anhisan cream its excellent for helping the itch.