Preventing mosquito bites?

moogie

What do you ladies do? I wear long sleeve shirts, and got some geraniol bracelets to wear over the cuffs so my new sleeves are not damaged by the oils.

Is there anything that works and does not damage compression sleeves? It took me a long time to get a good fit and I do not want to spray them with insecticide----or get a mosquito bite to swell me up! 

BeckySharp

Moogie and others-I am up for any suggestions also.  Mosquitoes love me.  I have tried everything--Off, Cutter, Skin So Soft, the fan, Woods, etc.  I stopped at a gas station on a trip last week and got three bites on my unaffected hand while pumping.  I had just put Off on myself about an hour earlier. I tend to get  bitten under my jaw and where I have cuffs--wrists, ankles.  Has anyone gotten a bite THROUGH their sleeve.  If not, only my fingertips are vulnerable.  I lived in the tropics for 23 yrs and worried about getting Dengue Fever, now I worry about West Nile Virus and now the LE threat of cellulitis. Maybe we should wear an astronaut's suit!  Becky

Spellgirl

I would like to know also. I don't have lymphedema, but every mosquito or fly bite I have gotten since my BMX 5 1/2 weeks ago is still here- red, sore, and swollen! What's with that? And yes, Becky, some were through my shirt- on the shoulder though.

kira66715

Kane actually bought a mosquito suit from REI, it's only 25$, but not a fashion statement

http://www.rei.com/product/800966/mombasa-mosquito-net-body-suit

They love me too, and I swell up with the bites. 

Kira

Texas357

I've gotten bitten through jeans before, so yes you can get bitten through your sleeve.

lago

I've used the off mosquito clip and I'd say it's not quite as good as putting the stuff on but it is better than nothing. I wore it to my husbands baseball game and didn't get bit. The first time I when to a game I did get bit on my "good" arm. (I might have LE there too but not sure).

Be careful of the fragranced products you are wearing. Hair spray, deodorant, moisturizer all have fragrance and can attract all kinds of bugs.

I have also read that mosquites hate rosemary. I think catnip too. (At least it isn't garlic!) Wear light clothing. Mosquites love the dark.

ruthbru

I am imagining going for a walk carrying catnip....no mosquites, but every cat in the neighborhood trailing behind!!

BeckySharp

Walking through the neighborhood in a mosquito suit, several clips on me, and catnip!  The drive by shooting would be self-defense! I bet one could make a mosquito suit with mosquito netting.  I wonder where all Kane has worn her suit?  Becky

GramE

A couple of things that work for me:    Take a cotton ball and saturate with Listerine.   Rub on exposed skin and/or unexposed parts - avoiding eyes.   And swish some in your mouth and spit out. 

Fabric softener sheet tied to your shoe laces, belt loop, on strap of your purse.  Golfers use this often.    

BeckySharp

I will try the Listerine.  I have never done that.  Fabric softener sheets?  Aren't they scented--or do they make unscented?  Interesting.  Becky

SharonMH

Hi  I have never tried using Listerine. But I think I will give it a try. I heard it has to be the original one, not the new mint flavor one.  SharonH

hymil

Yeah, make the bugs brush their teeth and wipe their feet properly before they bite you.   Catnip, rosemary, garlic, fabric-conditioner..... I've heard cigar smoke downs the nasty flying critters too, it blocks the little holes they breathe through... that's as well as the tinfoil hats, skimpy moz-netting suits ( Ithink we shoudl probably line those) and previous paraphernalia...   How about an armband  "MOZZIES, BUZZ OFF!"

Binney4

Hmmmm. I thought garlic was for vampires, no? But then I guess we don't want them biting us either.

I've gotten mosquito bites through my compression garments -- doesn't even slow them down. Best to keep the topical antibiotic ointment with you at all times and apply it as soon as you're bitten.

And I wanted to add that you can also get sunburn through your garments which, if you're not aware of it, can be a nasty surprise. There are sun-repellent hats, scraves, shawls, parasols, shirts, sleeves and mitts to cover up with so you don't have to get sunscreen on your garments. Just a thought...

Be well,
Binney

KittyDog

There is a new application for your phones that is suppose to keep the mosquito's away.  My DH has tried it and had some success but he has had problems with it shutting now with out warning.  Anything is worth a try now days.  They are horrible here right now.  DH must have let some in bringing in the groceries.  I got two bites on one foot and four on the opposite leg.  Thankfully not my arm!

lago

OMG there really isn't an ap for that is there.

KittyDog

yes there is.  lol  There was a big news article about it on our local TV.  It is suppose to give off the noise that bats make.  If I had a smart phone I would give it a try because they love me...but last year when my phone died my chemo brain was so bad I knew I could only handle a dumb old flip phone.  We have another year before I can get a new phone. 

It's called sonic mosquito repellent.  

faithandfifty

I honest-to-goodness think that the mosquito thing/threat/horror is my most depressing part of this whole LE thing.

I've nearly come to grips (more often than not) about the appearance with the sleeve, the pain thru the chest & arm, and the various limitations/concerns/strategies...... then the mosquitoes are so thick right now and I restrict my outside time and activities and I get real crotchity. (And I realize I'm in the shallow end of the LE pool.)

Maybe it's time I get a fancy-schmancy phone and have them buzz-off with my emitting signal of squeal-away-squito.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I got bit a couple days ago on my opposite lower leg and you'd think that I was attached by a tarantula -- the welt is ridiculously enormous. This from walking from the car to the front door of our little summer place..... probably 15 steps at most.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Can't think of any fashion statement garb to help this predicament.

Maybe a suit of armour?

lago

faightanfifty as I mentioned I was stung in my other arm that hasn't been diagnosed with LE (but I'm pretty sure I have it there too. I've had the heaviness and did get some swelling over memorial day). I just cleaned it with some antibacterial stuff I had in my handbag, applied polysporin and a band-aid. I keep all 3 things in my bag at all times. I had no problem at all.

After that I got Off.  The worst time to be out is dusk. Also wear light clothing. Why do you think Safari clothing is light (white). Not only does it not attract heat but it also doesn't attrackt mosquitoes.

voraciousreader

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Posted By Tipnut On June 15, 2007 @ 6:32 am In Home Remedies & Health | 184 Comments

As promised from yesterday's post for How To Stop Mosquito Bites Itching ^[1], I've compiled a big list of recommendations and home remedies for mosquito repellent suggestions. A few things to note first:

• You pretty much have to stop breathing to not attract the attention of a mosquito, a big attractor for them is the carbon dioxide from your breathing.
• It also seems mosquitoes are attracted by scents like perfumes, sweat, body odor as well as body heat. Unless you stop using shampoos, soaps, deodorants and detergents-it's hard to be scent free.
• From what I understand, DEET has proven to be the most effective mosquito repellent. DEET is pretty crazy stuff though, so if you'd like to try less harsh solutions, there are plenty of tips below for you to give a shot.

Something to keep in mind: Since some people seem to be a mosquito magnet while others around them don't get a single bite, I have the suspicion that there could be a personal body chemistry factor involved. And that could explain why a remedy that works for one person, may not work for another.

I suspect that's why some people swear by the Bounce sheet method, or the Avon Skin So Soft solution, while others have a different experience. Bounce nor the Avon SSS did a thing for me btw, but I did include them in the list below. I know a few people who SWEAR by them.

Basics for Mosquito Bite Prevention

• Wear light colored clothing, mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothes
• Keep your body covered as much as possible (including wearing a hat), although mosquitoes can find their way through the fabric-it does cut down on bites

Mosquito Bite Prevention Home Remedies & Tips

• Vanilla Extract: A few different recommendations for this one, each contradicting the other. Some say to dab Vanilla Extract on your pulse points, others say to rub it all over your skin & dab your clothes. Some say the cheap stuff is what you have to use, others say the real, pure Vanilla is the only thing that will work. Some say to apply it full strength, others say you can dilute it with water and spray it on. Play around with Vanilla to see what gives you best results-there are plenty of believers for this one as a mosquito deterrent so I think there's something to it.
• Garlic: This isn't a favorite thing to do day-to-day, but if you're going camping or hiking through heavily mosquito infested areas, try a garlic powder and water paste. Apply to pulse points, behind knees, on shoes and ankles and a dab or two on your cheeks or somewhere on your face and neck. Remember-keep out of eyes. And maybe stay out of public places too  .
• Essential Oils: Mix choice of essential oils with rubbing alcohol, or witch hazel, or distilled water and spritz on body or directly on cloth to rub on body (shake before each use). Or add a few drops in baby oil or olive oil then rub on skin. You can also apply drops along a strip of fabric (cotton) and tie around wrist. *Make sure to avoid mouth and eye areas when using essential oils.
• Citronella oil
• Lavender oil
• Catnip oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Pennyroyal oil *Seems to be strongly recommended
• Tansy oil *Seems to be strongly recommended
• Basil oil
• Thyme oil
• Cedar oil
• Tea Tree oil
• Peppermint oil
• Lemongrass oil

Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Break off leaves and crush them roughly, rub them all over your clothes and skin. Toss the bruised leaves around the perimeter of your deck or patio. Also plant these in pots and arrange them around the patio. You could also infuse these in water and then use that as a spray.

• Citronella
• Lavender
• Basil
• Catnip
• Pennyroyal
• Tansy
• Marigolds

Commercial Products That Repel Mosquitoes

*(other than DEET items)

• Avon's Skin So Soft (straight or mix 50/50 with rubbing alcohol)
• Bounce Sheets (hanging out of a pocket or waistband)
• Listerine (mixed 50/50 with household vinegar then sprayed all over body)
• Vicks VapoRub
• You can purchase citronella torches to stand in the ground or set on table tops

Household Hack

• Spray garlic powder and water all over the yard and bushes. Use a fertilizer hose attachment. Will need to be done bi-weekly (approx) or after a heavy rain.

Items to Eat

*Daily

Apparently the smell that comes out of your pores from a steady diet of the below deters mosquitoes. The items aren't meant to be combined, they're just different suggestions.

• Garlic
• B1 Vitamins
• Brewers Yeast
• Lemons

Anonymous

Mosquitoes used to love me.....I have scars to prove it since picking was one of my favorite pastimes when I was a kid...got lots of chigger bites also. I don't know if it is chemo or something has changed with my system or scent, but they no longer seem attracted to me at all.  When they were still bothering me, I used that Avon Skin so Soft.  I got stung by a bee, and I am allergic to both wasps and bees in my old age, and it was in my mastectomy arm so that had me pretty upset and it did swell up and got red immediately, but I went right to the dr's and got a shot of epinephrine.  I probably should carry one of those epi-pins with me.  Citronella....I had not thought of that in years, always loved the smell of that. 

BeckySharp

Okay now LE is going to make me buy a smart phone just so I can have a mosquito repellent app?  The mosquitoes are all out there laughing their heads off I am sure!  I have tried most of the above and will try the few I have not.  My bites get huge like bee stings and drive me crazy.  The drugstore does have a Benedryl tube of liquid for bites.  It does help the itching.  Depressing to know they can bite through sleeves.  Do you put DEET/Off on sleeve?  On arm before sleeve?  I guess for me it is not if I get a bite on affected side but when. Plus I get many bites, not just one.  If chemo seems to stop attracting them, can there not be some kind of pill that will repel them?  They are all gearing up for the picnics tonight.  I can just hear them. "Go for the sleeves"!  Aghhhhh.  Becky

lago

I wear a Medi sleeve that is pretty thick. I haven't been bitten on that the arm yet but I'm in the city so not as bug challenged although I do live by the lake and walk through the park everyday including through the zoo and lagoon. Mosquitos usually love me but mostly the ones in MA.

I think I'm going to try the bounce thing. I bet rubbing it on the sleeve would work too.

Binney4

Lago, since we're not supposed to use fabric softeners on our garment fabrics, rubbing them with a Bounce sheet might be a mistake. On the other hand, butterflies being the international symbol of LE, here are the instructions for making an origami butterfly out of a Bounce sheet:

http://www.bounceeverywhere.com/media/pdf/Bounce_Origami.pdf

There you go! Make one and wear it on your shirt or in your hair -- the perfect accessory to go with your LE sleeve.

Or not...
Binney

lago

I've been doing origami since I was in the 3rd grade. I have several books. Thanks.

Not sure if rubbing on the surface would be the same as soaking in fabric softner but I see your point.

Leah_S

Maybe if you have a sleeve (from clothing) over your LE garment and rub that with the Bounce sheet it would help.

A friend told me to put a Bounce sheet on the pillow when I sleep. I haven't tried it yet but I plan to - I don't have a drier so I haven't gotten the sheets yet.

Leah

kira66715

Have we decided if the Bounce sheet should be unscented?

Kira

DiDel

I use Off Botanicals Plant Based repellant. Its a lotion that doesn't smell like bug spray and I put it on after the shower before I get dressed. Seems to be long lasting and most effective.

ruthbru

Maybe I will just stay inside!

lago

I'm voting unscented.

kira66715

I googled it and came up with this:

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/bounce.asp

Repels mosquitoes: Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

Another totally didn't work. I went to Florida on vacation, and spent a lot of time horseback riding. I dislike mosquito bites, and that whole West Nile thing was going on, so I had a Bounce sheet tied around every belt loop. It looked kind of funky and cool, but didn't repel a mosquito worth a darn. My knees were COVERED in bumps. I'm thinking maybe the stupid sheets ATTRACTED the little bugs. Stupid Bounce.

BeckySharp

Back to square one!