Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Joyce on June 19, 2014, 02:27:15 PM
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Advised to buy Vitamin B to prevent mosie bites, but which one? Can anyone advise please? Boots said B complex but weren't certain.
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Marmite!
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:sick02:
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Thiamine vitamin B1 best taken in a B complex supplement.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/440865-vitamin-b1-as-a-mosquito-repellent/
It could be an urban legend though.
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Boots vit B complex doesn't have high enough levels according to that info. Will need to investigate more. Nurse herself has used it to prevent being bitten & said it worked a treat.
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I'm a keen gardener and the mosquitos where I live are dreadful - we can never eat outside! I take B vits and get bitten all the time. I eat lots of Marmite - I still get bitten.
I was recently told that the SAS use a moisturising spray oil from Avon to repel mosquitos - it has citronella - apparently they all smell lovely ;D.
I'm using that and I'm being bitten less - great moisturiser as well.
I don't think we are supposed to advertise on this site but if you do some research and perhaps email Avon they will advice. DG x
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"skin so soft" :-\ - Avon
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I thought people took yeast tablets to prevent mozzy bites. They don't like lavender apparently.(problem is, neither do I).
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Yeast is high in B vitamins so that would make sense. It could possibly mean you wouldn't get bitten if you drink beer? I'm afraid the only way I really avoid getting bitten is to cover up and simply not go out when there are lots of mosquitos. DG x
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Nurse said Skin-so-Soft is not what it used to be as far as being mosie proof is concerned. Was just hoping that if it was true, it might be worth it.
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It's B12 - the one in Marmite (also Vegemite).
Spent quite a bit of time in New Zealand, it was suggested there to deter flying biting bugs. We tried B12 supplement, it did appear to reduce horrible insect bites.
The Kiwis aren't too fussed on their neighbours (who like vegemite).
CG - Skin so soft may be nice anyway - try it, can't harm....
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Are we talking Scottish midges or St Lucia mosquitoes?.
Never really heard of anything that works against midges except the Avon stuff and as for the mosquitoes have not got a clue.
Honeyb
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St Lucia mosquitoes. Pretty sure I was OK last visit to St Lucia.
Mainly new virus caused by mosquitoes we are hoping to avoid, the Chikungunya virus. Not fatal, but very unpleasant. I hot email from FCO saying number of cases was on the increase.
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Ooooo err. What do they advise you to take or do ?.
There must be something that tourists can do.
Honeyb
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B12 was used in New Zealand to combat sand fly bites. For me they caused extreme swelling of feet (couldn't put shoes on) and hands (wrist the size of hand). The only thing which came close in this country for hassle were horse flies / clegs.
If not using B12, which does take time to build up in the body, the quickest short term repellent is something containing DEET.
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I've just arrived home from Kefalonia, the mozzies have feasted on me (studpidly thought I could manage without repellant as was only there for a week) and I take a good multi b vit supplement! Some other family members got bit too but no-one as much as me :(
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Hi CG when i went to caribbean we all used patches called dont bite me by a company called diva even my daughter who,was 4 at the time. Very effective the contain the necessary b vit
If you do get bitten i used a zapper that you can buy out of boots that encoutprages your body to release its own histamine to reduce itch and swelling. Loads of people round the pool were fascinated in it and kept asking to try it. Really good
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Hi thanks for ideas ladies. I've bought plug in for room, jungle formula tropical strength gel & spray. Plus I've got skin so soft. I've also bought a special stuff to put on if either of us gets nibbled. First time in Caribbean I was breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks for mosquito population. Hubby never got one bite. In Bahamas 2 years ago, I was bitten about 6 times, but hubby was on the menu instead.
Can't find the zapper thingy though Linsey.
Nothing to do HB. Mainly stay away from places where mosies like to congregate. That's why nurse suggested Vit B to prepare ourselves.
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Hi CG called boots bite and sting relief click it. Just bought 2 today they were doing a deal on them.
When you use them you feel a tiny electric shock sensation, but really good. Who wants to be popping anti histamine tabs which then limit the quantity of rum punch you can have. ;D
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Brerwers yeast. I've taken them in the past along with other preventative measures. Its supposed to make your skin given off a scent that is unpleasant to mosquitos. They're cheap enough and can't do you any harm so worth a try.
Ariadne xx
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Thanks Linsey, out of stock on website, but will keep checking. Will look in our wee local store too as, but if not big boots next time I'm in town.
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Let me know if you cant get one, i will send you one from our local store if you like.
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AW thanks Linsey. Plenty of time to find it, but will keep your offer in mind. :thankyou:
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VitB 12 must be used carefully, if one is taking certain Anti-depressant medication they can be dangerous.
Those 'zapper' things apparently work well. Try Lakeland or one of the trekking/out-door companies ?
Covering up particularly at night with complete mozzie nets is important. DEET can be the best and for short-term use is OK.
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After lots of researching, it's B1 that I'm supposed to take. Not happy about Deet, but will take it anyway, better than being bitten for sure. But will only use if Skin so Soft doesn't work.
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DEET I think has to be built up :-\ ……… and is known to work! That's what it's designed for and short-term use should do what it says on the tin by giving you protection and the chemical should not be a long-term problem ;)
What foods have B1 in - not chocolate by any chance? ;)
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There is a DEET free natural alternative called Incognito anti mosquito. I got mine in Waitrose but I think you can Amazon it.
I tried the DEET repellent it really irritated my skin so I had to quickly shower it off !!
DG x
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CLKD I wish! ;D
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Lots of minerals in chocolate, just wondered that's all ;D
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Chocolate could always be used, to hit the little monsters over the head, honest ;D
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Bar into the fridge first, taken out and whack - no mossies - of course the chocolate will melt ;)
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;D ;D ;D No it wouldn't CLKD, wouldn't be around long enough to melt. :whist:
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Reading all the post CG, there doesn't seem to be anything that will prevent the mozzy problem completely, so I think if you drink plenty of alcohol (0bviously for medicinal purposes) you won't care so much about the bites. :)
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Have to agree with littleminnnie, I have taken B vitamins since my mum placed a bottle of Brewers Yeast in my hand when I was teenager and said they were good for the skin.
I have lived all over the world and the mozzies always made a beeline for me, woke quite a few times woke up with swollen eyes where they bit on the eyelids.
In Singapore we used "Fish Burners" coiled green things on a stand that you lit and they burned to an ash, it was nightly ritual to light them, we still got bitten.
I think they must be attracted to the secretions in the skin, women seem to bitten more then men, covering up and mozzies nets are the only answer as had been said, maybe a pith helmet with net they can be quite stylish ;D
http://theeyetravels.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/safari-style.html
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G&T is medicinal if you include the quinine in the tonic water :whist:
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;D SL.
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Def agree with SL women tend to get bitten more than men. Few years ago in caribbean i was about the only woman round pool for the first week. Start on second week took a period then hey presto several bites on legs.
Flaming hormones are getting the blame
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Just back from Spain where both my friend's husband and I were bitten several times whereas my friend and my husband were not. My husband used no repellent at all and I used Mosquito Milk roll on repellent as well as a spray.
My friends husband and I were constantly comparing bites and arguing over whose were most painful and swollen. His bites began like mine but then faded quickly to small red spots whereas mine always spread to a large red swollen area much bigger than the original bite.
They gave me a lot of discomfort in bed and kept me awake.
Hubby said I should do what he does if he gets bitten which is slash the bite with a sharp nail to left out the poison. So I tried it on a bite on my wrist - bad mistake as it caused a large red area to spread up my arm along a vein. Fortunately it stopped spreading after a day or two although it still itched like mad
Today my husband brought home a tube of Odomos cream repellent that is used in India. A customer of his gave it to him for me to try after hearing about my bites. I thought it was a tube of toothpaste when I first saw it. I'm going to give it a try and if it works well I can get some from Amazon.
I wonder why some people suffer more than others?
Ariadne xx
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Hubby used to say the mossies were so busy nibbling on me that he didn't need any protection. That was until the Bahamas 2 years ago. I got 2 or 3 he had heaps.
Friend away to Turkey armed with skin-so-soft. Will see how she got on when she gets home.
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Oh yes, I forgot I also had Skin So Soft as well as the Mosquito Milk and spray repellent. I guess I'm just irrisistable to mozzies ;D
Ariadne xx
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With the humid weather the mozzies are out in force where I live. Yesterday evening I just went out in the garden for a breath of fresh air with the dog, I was wearing thick track suit bottoms and I got bitten twice on my hips!!! The little buggers (sorry for my language) had bitten me through the thick material of the track suit bottoms. DG x
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We have been midge free so far this summer. Nothing keeps them off no matter what you use ::)
A couple of years ago I was bitten by a horse fly. I had the biggest blister and it was the worse bite I have ever had. I hate those but you never know where they are hiding. At least with midges you can see clouds of them appearing at night.
The joys of Scotland ;D
Honeyb
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You have no midges!!!!! That's it I'm moving. ;D Been heaps here & we haven't had same nice weather. Not fair! ;)
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I was wearing thick track suit bottoms and I got bitten twice on my hips!!!
Seems awfully unfair if you got bitten through track suit bottoms, they are thick.
Don't know how to put this, but could you have some little visitors, courtesy of the dog?
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Hi Limpy
My dog gets regular flea treatment and he certainly isn't itching - dog fleas don't tend to bite humans and these were definitely mozzy bites - I believe cat fleas bite humans though?. I've had this happen before, I've had to stop sitting on the bench in the garden, even when wearing thick trousers or track suit bottoms, or I get bitten all round my upper legs and hips. I've actually seen one land on my leg and watched it pierce through the fabric - the little blighters!!! DG x
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I've had mossies bite me through nightwear & bedding on holiday. Have used plugins ever since & been fine. As for outdoors, usually exposed areas only.
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Not a one CG and I have sat outside until it was dark. Dont know what's happened to them but it's great.
Not even had them in our community garden up till now. Makes a nice change as they just love me.
Honeyb
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You sure you're not sending negative vibes in their direction. ;D Never known west coast not to get midges.
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They will all be hiding HB and one day when you least expecting it, they will pounce. :)
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Still no midges. Don't know where they have gone but I hope they stay there ;D
We have had little rain and they need dampness to multiply so perhaps that's the reason.
Honeyb
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We are overrun with flying ants at the moment. >:(
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I hadnt seen flying ants before, till i seen heaps on them running along edges of slabs on patio. Anyone know how best to get rid of them? I have just poured loads of water on them, maybe some of them will drown
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Ant powder - its the only way. I try and kid myself that it is more humane than pouring boiling water on them.
Bramble
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Went round the garden pulling up weeds for just 5 minutes - I got 5 mossie bites - Grrrr!!!! DG x
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Try putting toothpaste on them Dancing Girl, my mum swears by it and they feast on her!
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Will try that - thanks Linsey. DG x
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The flying ants are only here a few days then they are off. Ours have gone now.
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I think I drowned the ones on our patio and just to make sure I spent ages scrubbing the
Slabs with a bristly brush, that was my exercise yesterday. All good fun
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I've just read this entire thread and now I itch. Thanks, loads, CB
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::)
Well friend came back from Turkey and said skin so soft did the trick with her & her mum. Just hope my stuff from 2 years back still ok.