29 replies to this topic

[bloodypeasant]

Since I have been using a Tea Tree Oil based shower soap (from BodyShop) for showering and hair washing I have avoided any bites on two trips to India whereas my wife got bitten to death. Previously I had loads of bites - maybe coincidence but it might be worth trying.

[H.Nick]

70s-80s overlander, on Jul 21 2006, 03:39 AM, said:

An antihistamine will not keep the bug from biting, but it WILL prevent the associated itching & swelling. If such prevention is your goal, the med of choice, in my opinion, is doxepin 10mg -- which is THE most potent H2 histamine receptor blocker known to man. [Yes, it was originally licensed in the 1950s as an antidepressant -- but at normal antidepressant doses -- around 100mg -- it was too sedating for about 50% of patients.] At the child-size dose of 10mg at bedtime, doxepin is fantastic for itches, rashes, allergic asthma, and virtually any gastrointestinal disturbance (it soothes the entire GI tract). ... ... ...

I did some googling on this one. Looks like a rather heavy-weight drug.

Also contra-indicated for those with an elnlarged prostrate

Oh dear... Age marches on day by day....

[70s-80s overlander]

H.Nick, on Jul 30 2006, 01:45 AM, said:

I did some googling on this one. Looks like a rather heavy-weight drug.Also contra-indicated for those with an elnlarged prostrate Oh dear... Age marches on day by day....

Uh, notice that I said "child-size dose" -- by which I mean 10mg [as opposed the 100mg capsule]. At 10mg no physician would consider this to be a "heavy weight drug" [the pharmacist might wonder why you are taking so little] -- and your prostate is probably safe. Whatever. The advantages: reduces itches, reduces stomach acid, reduces diarrhea, reduces allergic asthma. If I meet you on the road and you need some help with any of the above, I'll gladly loan you 10mg.

[H.Nick]

Thanks

I thought my immune system was getting used to the damned bites, but I've started reacting badly again

[square]

Hi,
I've been advised (on this forum) to get a deet based repellant but have since read that using this for long periods of time is not a good idea. I'm travelling around India for 5 months and am apparently very tastyto the little buggers, as well as reacting badly to bites, so really want to protect myself as best I can. I've seen there are 100% Deet sprays but they sound pretty nasty. What do people recommend on the Deet front? 50%, 100%? And how frequently can I safely use them? I've searched online but all I can find is websites selling the stuff. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. x

[WonderWomanUSA]

square, on Oct 6 2008, 04:38 PM, said:

Hi,
I've been advised (on this forum) to get a deet based repellant but have since read that using this for long periods of time is not a good idea. I'm travelling around India for 5 months and am apparently very tastyto the little buggers, as well as reacting badly to bites, so really want to protect myself as best I can. I've seen there are 100% Deet sprays but they sound pretty nasty. What do people recommend on the Deet front? 50%, 100%? And how frequently can I safely use them? I've searched online but all I can find is websites selling the stuff. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. x

100% DEEY is terribly strong; it will burn your skin, and melt anything plastic that it touches.

The stuff I use (Aermican brand called Cutters, it comes in a "stick" form) is around 30% DEET and keeps the mossies away for several hours.

Five months isn't that long, in the greater scheme of things. I am happy to use my mossie repellant for 3 months at a time with no apparent problems, and no more than an occasional mossie bite.

There are too many mosquito-borne diseases to mess around!

[iwanttogoback]

general advice seems to be 30% DEET, and i prefer the roll on as it's easier to get it on your face without getting it in your eyes, nose and mouth. i think we ended up using both a spray (for the body) and a roll on for the face. as wwusa, it's not worth messing around - lots of malaria borne nasties.

you can also get combined sunscreen/mosquito repellents, but they leave a sticky residue on your skin. which in india will fairly soon attract dust and dirt...

[square]

thanks very much for your replies - I've since read a few accounts of the 100% deet melting peoples watches! Eek. Think I'll go with the 30%. Thanks again, this community is great! x

[cyberhippie]

Local Brands of Mosfree and Odomos are cheap and work well, in the Himalayas you won't need any repelant.