Say no to Mosquitoes
Travelling to countries laden with mosquitoes and stricken with malaria and dengue fever is something that should not be overlooked when going on holiday. These little blood suckers can cause some nasty illnesses but that doesn’t mean you should not go anywhere and enjoy yourself. This post aims to help you minimise the risk by offering tips on what you should do and what repellent you should use. Remember this is not a fail safe guide, but here are a few points of advice when going abroad.
Do I need to take anti-malaria drugs?
Mosquitoes that transmit malaria can sometimes lay dormant depending on the time of year and they reside only in rural areas. So if you plan on staying in the city or your vacation is planned during the dormant season, then the need for anti-malaria drugs is less.
There are different types of drugs on the market that each come with a different price tag and each with different side effects, if you are going to take them it is advisable to check which drugs have fewest side effects. Do online research about your destination and always ask your doctors advice, especially if you are pregnant.
Do I need Mosquito Repellent?
A simple answer is yes! Even if you don’t think you get bitten much, you most likely do but don’t show signs of bites. Some people react differently to the anti coagulant found in mosquito’s saliva which prevents blood from clotting and causes irritable red inflammations. Just because you don’t have an allergic reaction like some people, doesn’t mean you are safe. A top tip is to take with you some antihistamine medicine to help reduce the itchiness and risk of infection caused by too much scratching which breaks the skin and can leave you scarred.
“Remember, prevention is better than cure”
What type of repellent is best?
Applying a repellant that contains 25-50% DEET usually works best for keeping the blood suckers and other nasties at bay. The downside to using this is that it can be bad for your skin and contains chemicals which can be toxic. Avoid these types especially if you are pregnant and don’t use on young children, so check out the natural repellents that are on the market.
When is the best time to apply mosquito repellent?
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so apply your repellent before it gets dark and apply it if you wake up early. Where Dengue fever is present, use the repellent sparingly throughout the day because the mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever are active during the day. Sadly these mosquitoes also populate urban areas and being in the city doesn’t mean you are safe. If you choose to use natural repellents you will most likely have to apply these more often, but always read the instructions before use.
What clothes should I wear?
Avoid dark colours, believe it or not but mosquitoes are attracted by dark colours, for this reason try and avoid wearing black at times of high mosquito activity. Instead wear Khaki coloured clothing, light brown and light green and cream coloured loose clothing, with long trousers and sleeves to cover yourself properly. Don’t wear open toe sandals, wear socks and avoid tight clothing.
Should I Keep Cool?
According to research carbon dioxide and lactic acid help mosquitoes hone in on their victims. Therefore try to keep cool and avoid unnecessary exercise around the times mosquitoes are most active. Good excuse for some of you not to rush about!
For further reading on mosquitorepellents and advice visit:
- http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa050503a.htm
- http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/avoid-mosquito-bites
January 23, 2010 by admin Filed under Travel Tips