Insect bites

[Peggy Sue]

I don't normally get bitten much but for the last 6 weeks have been bitten every night up to 16 times and I'm starting to run out of remedies for itches- having eating spoonfuls of marmite, rubbed myself with lemon /vinegar/citreonella, put toothpaste on the bites (I look a bit like a mummy due to the number!)

I really need to put these beasts off and get a good nights kip.

It has been suggested there is something lurking in the bed if so what can I use other than commercial anti-bug spray?

[Odsox]

Might I suggest stripping all the sheets/duvet cover/whatever and put freshly washed ones on, or have you tried that ?
While the bed's stripped bare run your hoover over the mattress and concentrate on all the hiding places.

[contadino]

There are two things that you can do to prevent being bitten at night. Clean the bed, and use an insect net. We have a mosquito net that we use in the peak months and it works great (so long as you check none have crept in during the day before you go to sleep.)

Rather than dousing yourself in stuff to prevent getting bitten, you're probably better off just applying some vinegar to the bitten area afterwards. The reason is that it's worthwhile getting a few bites each year as your body probably will build up a resistance to them and they won't itch or get inflamed as much. I used to get quite bad reactions to bites, but since moving to a warmer climate (and getting bitten more regularly) it's far less noticeable.

Just my opinion.

[Ellendra]

What type of bug are you getting bitten by?

Once while traveling I got eaten up by bedbugs. A little lavender oil sprinkled on the mattress solved that.

[bluensm]

I'd definitely recommend a mossie net. Bugs seem to be magically attracted to me and I react badly to them (despite having been bitten lots ) but at least I can get a good nights sleep under the net.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good after-bite things? I normally have to take antihistamines because I swell up and it would be nice not to have to take them so much. Chickweed cream has been recommended which seems ok but not wonderful! I've not tried vinegar on the bites though... have to give that one a go!

Brgds

Nicola

[hedgewitch]

Peggy Sue - not sure if this would work with bed bug bites or other bites but it is great for mossies (we suffer really bad in Spain).
Just rub the inside of a raw tomato over any bites and it soothes the itching as well as taking the swelling down too.

[Peggy Sue]

Oh I was hoping someone would reply- and loads of you did-Thanks

Lots of new ideas-
Odsox-the sheets etc have been changed many times over the last 6 weeks but with no effect . It could be the pillow as a hideout but I can't separate myself from the only pillow in the world that doesn't give me neck ache.....I will try to hoover it though along with the bed.

Ellendra I ahd been told rubbing lemon on you kept them at bay so when I ran out of lemons I tried lemon essential oil last nigth as a bright idea and it seems to have worked, so I'll keep lavender standing by too

Hedwitch- I hadn't heard of the tomato thiong, the lemon thing came from someone who lived in Greece. I'm even more bitterly dissappointed about my poor tomato crop this year now!

A mossie net- well I ahve been thinking of trying to get the window grids you get in Europe, I love the window open, and I don't mind the odd bite, but this is driving me insane this year! For the record I did find rubbing the lemon, using vinegar & toothepaste on the bites all helped, but it was the shear volume of them that has got to me!

Thanks for all your replies, and here's to a potential good nights sleep!

[Odsox]

Have you got any mosquitoes in Cambridgeshire this year, Peggy Sue ?
We have had none, obviously due to the less than clement weather.
The reason I know is I keep tropical fish and their summer treat is to be fed live mosquito larvae.

[Peggy Sue]

Oh we have milions of mozzies I'm afraid. They must have different tastes to last year as they no longer bite my arms, just my body though!

It's not what you'd call a brilliant summer but ofcourse we do get less of a bashing than the west coast where you are. Most of the sting has been taken out of the weather by the time it's travelled across Ireland, Wales and...Birmingham to flat old East Anglia

[Shirley]

I use a deodorant crystal to relieve any itchy bites I get - works really quickly for me.

[LBR]

You could also try putting the mattress out for a sunbath.

I use tea tree oil on bug bites. It takes the pain out and helps heal them, for me.

[Millymollymandy]

It's chemical warfare for me against the harvest mites and midges I'm afraid. Nothing in France works so I am now well stocked up in Jungle Formula which I smother myself with from head to toe every single day yet some still get through this barrier, particularly at the moment when they are rife. I discovered a brilliant bite cream called Eurax in England which actually does stop bites itching (again nothing in France works)!

[LBR]

MMM, can you get organic citronella oil? Some find it useful in keeping away those blasted bugs.

[Millymollymandy]

I've no idea where to buy essential oils here! Are you talking about chiggers (that's harvest mites)? Also can you actually put neat essential oil on your body?

In any event I'd still need to spray my hair with Jungle Formula because I can't coat it with oil!

[LBR]

MMM, I put tea tree oil, straight on my skin. You don't want it near your eyes, and it does sting some on mucous membranes.

I've used pure rose oil in my ear for earaches. Got rid of the earache overnight.

I use rosemary oil on my scalp, or lavender. You can dilute them with other oils, such as coconut or olive oil.

I've mixed them with castor oil for massage.

The properties of the oil determine how easily it can be put directly on the skin. Some, such as oil of oregano, sting/burn like hell. Others, such as lavender, are just refreshing.

I've used rose and jasmine for perfume. I now save them for medicinal purposes, as they cost so much.

It's important to get organic, as the non-organic ones are harvested with things such as benzine derivatives.