Prescription for Preventing Bites

Independent12 · 04-11-2012 09:43PM #1

Hi all
I am going on a two week holiday in December to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. I always get eaten alive by insects on holidays and the bites always get very big and very itchy and ultimately very sore. I have heard about and tried the usual recommendations - garlic tablets, vit b tablets, deet spray etc. etc. etc. I will still use deet but I have heard about someone getting medication which worked perfectly to prevent bits. I have been told it was on perscription.
Does anyone know anything about this?
Thank you!!

Stheno · 04-11-2012 09:44PM

There is a cream called Systral which works well

Deet is best though

Independent12 · 04-11-2012 09:50PM

Thanks, is that for applying to existing bites though? I am more looking for prevention and had heard of (prescription) tablets.
I have used deet on numerous occasions but still got bitten and becaue of my reaction to bites it can ruin my holiday.
If at all possible I really need to prevent them in the first place,
Thanks

IMightKnow · 04-11-2012 10:00PM

I really think there is no medicine available for preventing bites as you describe.

Call into a pharmacy and ask the pharmacist?

Yamanoto · 04-11-2012 11:57PM

As you'll already be on a course of anti-malarial prescription meds, it may be wise to stick with more established methods of bite-prevention.

Gatica · 05-11-2012 08:56AM

yeah, we went to a travel clinic and the only thing we were recommended for bite prevention was deet. There's some myth about vitamin B, but the excesses of it can lead to more complication than the problem they supposedly solve. The itching is probably due to an allergy, ask the doc what to use for that, we used anti-histamine cream for that, which was also prescribed (though probably doesn't need to be).

Daisies · 05-11-2012 10:34AM

I have found that eating bananas causes me to get bitten a lot more. I react badly to bits and living in Africa means I am taking all precautions necessary. No bananas, lots of deet and I take an antihistamine most nights before bed as I tend to wake myself up scratching the bits

Independent12 · 05-11-2012 10:47AM

Thanks everyone, will ask in a pharmacy for anti-histimine and cream

Aye Bosun · 05-11-2012 10:51AM

My heart goes out to you, I know exactly how you feel. Wherever I travel the first 3 weeks are a nightmare I reckon after the 3 week mark I've been bitten so many times I just don't taste good anymore. First night in Brazil and I had 56 mosquito bites on me 56! I've tried all the usual things too. 100% deet doesn't even work for me. If they like you they like you, you just have to get on with it. It's all about preventing scarring in my opinion. Instead of scratching a bite, slap it, this does the same as a good scratch ie brings the blood to the surface and give you some relief for a moment but it prevents the scarring. You'll get some funny looks at a first but trust me it works a treat cause by not scratching them they don't seem to itch as much. Also have some bio oil with you for any that do get a scar, that will clear it up pretty quickly but only use it once the skin is fully healed.
Other than that, it's long sleeves and trouser at night time and get one of the candle things to burn in your room at night as they seems to keep them away!
If you find anything on prescription please let me know as I'd be very interested to try it too.

tatli_lokma · 05-11-2012 01:18PM

I get quite large itchy bumps when I have been bitten - particularly if I get bitten in winter or after a heavy rain.

I usually take a strong anti-histamine every night for a week before travelling and continue with this for the duration of my travels.

Of all the topical ointments I have used to relieve itching and redness, believe it or not, Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream has proved to be the best. Takes the redness down quite quickly and relieves the itch. It is also really good on sunburn/windburn and scratches or abrasions.

I have also been told, that the sprays you get should be sprayed only and NOT rubbed in. I didn't know this before, I would always spray the stuff on and then spread it around. But aparently it is more effective if you don't rub it in. Likewise if you use a cream, it should sit on the top of your skin and soak in - don't rub it in until it is gone.

coylemj · 05-11-2012 06:41PM

I also heard that you shouldn't rely on any brand of cream that you buy at your destination as the local mozzies will have become used to it and it won't be a deterrent! You need something that makes you smell less appetizing than the rest of humanity and you also need to cover those arms and legs to make you less visible. The one thing that gives away Irish travellers is lots of exposed creamy white skin which makes you an irresistible prospect for biting insects.

Gatica · 06-11-2012 09:27AM

Aye Bosun wrote: »

100% deet doesn't even work for me.

Read an article that said that deet concentrations above 50% showed no improvement in bite prevention. It being an irritant and somewhat toxic, you may as well stick to 50% deet.
I hated using that stuff because it smells so strong. Worked well around feet and ankles though. oh, and wash your hands before eating when using it.

oh, here it is: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2427103/

tatli_lokma · 06-11-2012 10:56AM

another tip is to leave socks and shoes outside - apparently there is some chemical or acid or something in sweat, particularly on the feet which attracts them. So by leaving your smelly shoes and socks outside you are less likey to attract any mozzies into the room.

Independent12 · 06-11-2012 11:26AM

Thanks everyone.
Little Ted - would you mind telling me what the name of the strong anti-histimine you use is? Thanks

tatli_lokma · 06-11-2012 12:04PM

Independent12 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.
Little Ted - would you mind telling me what the name of the strong anti-histimine you use is? Thanks

I usually just buy the generic ones, not the brand name ones. Just check with your chemist - the ones that make you drowsy are usually the stronger ones, so take each night. the main thing is to build up the anit-histamine in yuor system prior to ever being bitten, so that if you are bitten you have enough in your system to counteract the histamine reaction that the bite causes. If you are particularly sensitive to the bites I would say take them for 10 days before you travel. But check with your pharmacist before taking anything of course.

Prescription for Preventing Bites

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