GOOD NEWS - There is an alternative to normal spray or wipe on insect repellents. I had 18 out of 20 lymph nodes removed from under my arm after breast cancer surgery and the medics were/are emphasizing the need for extra care needed for my skin in the upper left quadrant of my body because of the risk of infection. I have been especially careful about avoiding insect bites because midges, especially, by-pass several hundred people before they hone in on me! I regularly walk in wooded areas and near ponds so I don't step out of the door without slapping on insect repellents. Now, I don't know why they call it INSECT repellents because it generally smells so foul it is quite efficient at keeping people at bay too. But - GOOD NEWS, I don't know how new these things are, I've certainly not seen them before, but I recently came across wrist bands that claim to act as insect repellents for 7 hours a day for two weeks. I have used them for several days and so far so good. I have only seen them for sale in my local supermarket (with all the travel gadgets) but I'm sure they must market them elsewhere. So, if you need extra protection - there is an alternative to smelling like an extra sour lemon.
KateG
FormerMember
They have these devices near us - except they're to stop the undesirable youths hanging round intimidating potential shoppers, the devices working on the same principal as apparently younger people can hear higher pitched sounds. This plug-in sounds the best yet, as it isn't emitting any chemicals. I'll go in search of these shelves and inspect what's on offer. Thanks for opening the topic everyone, as this sun is bringing us the mozzies in swarms, and our frogs are so overfed they can hardly be bothered with a skinny mozzie. xxx Penny
I will check out exactly which chemicals are used in the wristbands when I next go to the shop (I threw away the leaflet - silly moo!). What I do recall is that the blurb said something like - "we use exactly the same chemicals found in ordinary sprays but they are impregnated into the fabric for slow release".
On the question of Vitamin B - I have been taking a strong vitamin B compound prescribed by my doc for mild depression for years but it doesn't seem to work against midges. And when the little darlings bite me it isn't simply a question of a raised itchy bite, it means major swellings and anti-histamines taken pronto.
You can buy the plug in variety Penny, but the one I found in the camping shop is just a little device you can carry with you - stick in your pocket or whatever. It's battery operated so you can switch it off when you don't need it. It really does seem to work well, so I shall be furious if I can't find another one!!
