"Click don't scratch"

htid

Looking around at which DEET to buy, I've come across quite a few of these things from different brands, but can't find any real life information on their effectiveness. Has anyone any experience with them and know if they work or not? They're only a few pounds so not going to break the bank.

While I'm here, are different brands of DEET more or less effective? For example are CarePlus 55% and Repel 100 55% the same with the same effectiveness or not?

Thanks.

wonderwomanusa

The "thing" you're considering is to take the itch out of mossie bites, and is just one more piece of gear to carry; I usually use a little salt water to accomplish the same thing. Just remember that your primary objective is to avoid mossie bites.

As far as DEET goes, the percentage of DEET is what's important, as well as the means of presentation, so if it's 55% DEET and 45%inert ingredients, it shouldn't matter whether it's "CarePlus" or "Repel." 55% will give you protection for a number of hours.

I use an American product (Cutter's) that comes in "stick" form (easy to carry and won't spill in my bag); it's 28% DEET and I apply it several times during an evening, depending on conditions.

Beware of mossies that bite during the day -- those carry dengue fever; if there is a dengue problem where you are, you'll need to use the repellant in the daytime, as well.

Mossie coils help, or some thingies that plug into the electrical outlet and release insecticide into the room at night. I usually burn a coil in my closed room while I'm out to dinner, then put the thing out at sleeptime.

Nick-H

The click things: yes, I've used them, and I find them at least as good as scratching. I'd say, buy one. I'd also say that they don't work miracles, and pack the antihistamine cream too!

I favour the original (I think) --- the Zanza Click. It's green with a black button. Boots (UK chemist chain for the rest of the world) seem to now sell their own-make yellow one, and I have found it not nearly so good. I failed to find a Zanzaclick when I was looking in UK last October

I think that with DEET repellent, it is the percentage which counts, not the label. The percentage determines not so much its effectiveness, but how many hours it remains effective.

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Nick-H

WWUSA... haven't tried salt water; I'll give it a go!

Any mosquito will bite at any time if you disturb it. The ones that sleep in the plants along the edge of our garden will certainly wake up and make a meal of you (and there will be a cloud of them ) if you move the plants. Use repellent all day!

atala

Cheeze, you must be a walking chemistry lab. Do you actually do that all day? I never do it, only around the feet/ancles and arms when in a concert hall or cinema in the eve, which happens rarely.

htid

Thanks for the info Nick. I think I'll get one of those devices, it may be only one more thing to carry around, but we'll have a backpack so not much trouble

Regarding wearing DEET, we plan to wear it all day, only on exposed skin though. Anyway no need for this to turn into yet another DEET thread, there are enough of them on IM. My question about DEET has been answered so I only need to know if anyone else has experiences with the clicky things now

Oh and Nick, try and get bitten tomorrow, use the salt water and let me know the result please

pundabee

I have also found them useful. Most useful of all items though, has been lavender oil.

Using water and salt sounds highly inconvenient. Imagine walking around somewhere and you notice a bite. What is the easiest: pulling a clicker or salt and water out of the pocket?

Nick-H

I don't have to try --- I get bitten most days.

No, I don't use repellent, except for much the same kind of events that atala mentions, and then its a dab of Odomos, which is local, cheep and 12% DEET. I do sleep under a net, but being a bit nocturnal, they get me before bed anyway!

paakhipardesi

A pinch of meat tenderiser mixed with water is pretty good for subduing insect bite itch. Might not be too practical to lug around, though.

htid

Seems there are quite a few ideas on here, not sure how effective they'll all be. Not sure about spending the money on the clicker thing now, if other things that cost a lot less work just as well...hmm, decisions decisions!

Nick-H

Buy the clicker! Most of that stuff (ok, I haven't tried it all) is pretty dubious.

There are two reactions I get to Mossies. One is the classic bite: it forms a round, red swelling, quite hard, which itches for a day or two or even a week. This kind of reaction the clicker can soothe.

The other, which I suspect is from the insect just dribbling or poking around, is an irregular blister-like swelling. There may not be any noticeable bite hole in it. The sensation is like that of acid on the skin (I remember from my days making jewellery; I never obeyed the instruction to let the piece cool before dropping it into the dilute H2SO4). This I find only lasts a matter of minutes, and can be hurried along by rubbing it (saliva is soothing). This also dispels the fluid build-up under the skin; be careful not to rub off the surface layer.

A dab of Anthisan is my main ammunition against the bite. Once I get more than two or three bites, my whole body starts to feel like it itches --- and an oral antihistamine is the cure.

Sure, the fact that I slob around the house in a pair of boxer shorts leaves heaps of skin wide open to attack (they bite through clothes anyway) but, hey, it's hot here!

htid

Will do, captain! Seriously though, I think I'll get one, though I'm not really use what antihistamines are, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the info

Nick-H

It's histamines that make you itch; they are produced by the body as a reaction to the stuff the mossie injects. Antihistamines suppress the histamine production. I'm sure google will quickly find a far better explantion

dhans

Tripelennamine HCL ("Azaron" is one brand name) relieves itches from mosquito bites etc. Better than anti histamine pills which you should save until your whole body starts itching.

Hans

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