Here comes summer! Not only is the weather warmer and the days longer but I can also hear the tell tale buzz of a mosquito in my bedroom at night.
We are pretty lucky here in New Zealand in that, for the most part, bites and stings, while they are super irritating, do not cause life-threatening problems.
Mosquitoes and sandflies are the most common cause of insect bites in New Zealand and are identified by pink, itchy bumps within 20 minutes of the bite. The itching usually peaks within 24 to 48 hours, then fades over 3-4 days.
An icepack can help cool the area and a topical cream from the pharmacy can sooth the itch. If you get a large amount of bites, or if you are someone whose bites seem puffier or itchier than others get, an oral antihistamine will provide some welcome relief.
I was reading an article that advised that the way to stop getting insect bites was to not annoy the insects. While that could be true, I’d rather look towards insect repellents as a more reliable preventative!
Most insect repellents contain the active ingredient, Deet. A new study shows that Deet works because mosquitoes can taste your body with their legs, and it makes them think your skin doesn’t taste very nice. Products containing higher concentrations of Deet don’t work better, they just work for longer.
Deet has been proven to be safe in young and old but it isn’t recommended for babies younger than two months and products with more than 30 percent Deet shouldn’t be used on children.
While not as effective, natural repellents such as oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) provide a great alternative in New Zealand where we don’t have to worry about mosquito-borne illnesses. However just because something is natural does not necessarily mean it is more safe. OLE, for example, is not recommended for children younger than three years.
Did you know that insect repellents can decrease the effectiveness of your sunscreen? It is best to apply the sunscreen first and then apply insect repellent once the sunscreen has dried. You will also need to reapply sunscreen more frequently and in larger amounts if you are also wearing repellent.
Using fans is another way to prevent mosquitoes from hanging around you. Almost any breeze makes it difficult for them to fly.
Covering up will also help prevent insect bites. Clothes with a tight weave act like armour to keep the bugs at bay.
So come on Coasties – we might still be locked down but we can get out and enjoy those balmy summer evenings.
Pharmacist
More stories from the author
