Protection against Mosquitoes - Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (Mosi-guard)

Nick-H · Jun 20th, 2007, 22:04

Haven't seen it here. Haven't seen anything except locally-made stuff.

Maybe this has something to do with it:

Buzzaway Extreme $8.00 or Rs.328 (web link price)

Odomos Rs.60 or $1.50

--- conversions very approximate. I don't know how compare 4oz with 120ml.

I'm not familiar with this brand in UK either, by the way.

Quote:

oh, EEEEUUUUUU! WAY too much information, Nick!

Had a feeling someone might say just that!

Marco Polo · Jun 21st, 2007, 02:02

It seems like a lot of people have different opinions...

The recommendations done by WHO, CDC, and so on change from time to time, and I've found the following at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/west..._repellent.htm

Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, CDC believes that two have demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature (See Publications page.). Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others:

• DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
• Picaridin (KBR 3023)

Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant- based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

Nick-H · Jun 21st, 2007, 02:47

...which means it may give you an hour or so protection while high concentration DEET products may give five or eight hours.

The problem with such repellents is that they will not last you through the night.

But the page you quote shows Picaridin up there with DEET. My experience of Autan is that it was 100% useless. My guess is that it just didn't work for me.

The research is invaluable, but it cannot say what will work for you as an individual.

SteamBuff · Jun 21st, 2007, 03:42

I used Mozzi-Guard in India earlier this year. Worked fine for me, kept the little blighters away, and it smelt and felt OK.

I used the pump-action spray, I don't like the creams!

Dave

Marco Polo · Jun 21st, 2007, 04:19

The most interesting aspect is to know which protection is working for the majority of persons and if it's possible and wise to use natural repellents or not. Of course clinical trials are very important, but you guys at India Mike have been traveling to India or are actually living there so it's very useful to have your opinion about the actual malaria situation in India. I've seen that there are quite many threads about malaria so there's surely a lot of information.

machadinha · Jun 21st, 2007, 07:38

I think there are obviously just no clear answers MP. I got on fine with fans and aircos and local repellents and dressing up at night; others clearly don't. Nick who lives there has often let on he's something of a mozzie attractor anyway; I've traveled with such folks and was obviously on the brighter end of the scale.

There's little to say about it in the end I guess, else it'd have been a sticky here. I should say I grew up with mosquitoes so maybe I'm less worried about it; we didn't have malaria though, but we did have yellow fever (regularly sprayed against by an unhealthy and worn-away looking guy

), and dengue I discovered just recently, never heard of it, but maybe not on our island. We were lucky enough to have a trade wind to blow them away, so I suppose this helped. But anyway between mystification and facts it seems to be a tricky field with plenty folklore flying about. Bottom line: stay well within your comfort zone. On the other hand, don't overdo it on the paranoia. I'm sure Indian traffic (or traffic anywhere) is still the bigger killer.

edwardseco · Jun 21st, 2007, 07:49

Here's another rub, somethings will work against some types of mosquitoes and not others. Autan was tested as effective by Consumer Reports except for the malaria bearing variety

..

Nick-H · Jun 21st, 2007, 14:47

Indian traffic may be a big killer, but don't forget the discomfort aspect of mosquito bites.

Catching a serious disease is one thing: a few bites can still ruin your day very effectively. Or your night's sleep.

Jun 21st, 2007, 03:42	#19
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	I used Mozzi-Guard in India earlier this year. Worked fine for me, kept the little blighters away, and it smelt and felt OK. I used the pump-action spray, I don't like the creams! Dave __________________ Huffing & Puffing along ... The Steamy One!

Jun 21st, 2007, 07:38	#21
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 11,445	I think there are obviously just no clear answers MP. I got on fine with fans and aircos and local repellents and dressing up at night; others clearly don't. Nick who lives there has often let on he's something of a mozzie attractor anyway; I've traveled with such folks and was obviously on the brighter end of the scale. There's little to say about it in the end I guess, else it'd have been a sticky here. I should say I grew up with mosquitoes so maybe I'm less worried about it; we didn't have malaria though, but we did have yellow fever (regularly sprayed against by an unhealthy and worn-away looking guy ), and dengue I discovered just recently, never heard of it, but maybe not on our island. We were lucky enough to have a trade wind to blow them away, so I suppose this helped. But anyway between mystification and facts it seems to be a tricky field with plenty folklore flying about. Bottom line: stay well within your comfort zone. On the other hand, don't overdo it on the paranoia. I'm sure Indian traffic (or traffic anywhere) is still the bigger killer. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jun 21st, 2007, 02:02	#17
Marco Polo Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spain Posts: 50	It seems like a lot of people have different opinions... The recommendations done by WHO, CDC, and so on change from time to time, and I've found the following at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/west..._repellent.htm Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, CDC believes that two have demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature (See Publications page.). Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others: • DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) • Picaridin (KBR 3023) Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant- based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

Jun 21st, 2007, 02:47	#18
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,426	...which means it may give you an hour or so protection while high concentration DEET products may give five or eight hours. The problem with such repellents is that they will not last you through the night. But the page you quote shows Picaridin up there with DEET. My experience of Autan is that it was 100% useless. My guess is that it just didn't work for me. The research is invaluable, but it cannot say what will work for you as an individual.

Jun 21st, 2007, 04:19	#20
Marco Polo Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spain Posts: 50	The most interesting aspect is to know which protection is working for the majority of persons and if it's possible and wise to use natural repellents or not. Of course clinical trials are very important, but you guys at India Mike have been traveling to India or are actually living there so it's very useful to have your opinion about the actual malaria situation in India. I've seen that there are quite many threads about malaria so there's surely a lot of information.

Jun 21st, 2007, 07:49	#22
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,436	Here's another rub, somethings will work against some types of mosquitoes and not others. Autan was tested as effective by Consumer Reports except for the malaria bearing variety ..

Jun 21st, 2007, 14:47	#23
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,426	Indian traffic may be a big killer, but don't forget the discomfort aspect of mosquito bites. Catching a serious disease is one thing: a few bites can still ruin your day very effectively. Or your night's sleep.

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