joe french
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- from st jean, the complete st james's walk. 5 to 6 weeks
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Avon finally reacted to the repeated studies that Skin So Soft did nothing to repel insects -- they added picaridin, which IS effective against mosquitoes!Avon Skin So Soft Spray, used with great success
Avon finally reacted to the repeated studies that Skin So Soft did nothing to repel insects -- they added picaridin, which IS effective against mosquitoes!
Picaridin repels insects, ticks and chiggers. It is a synthetic compound first made in the 1980s. It was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, which is found in the group of plants that are used to produce black pepper. Picaridin has been widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia, but has only been available in the United States since 2005.
Picaridin can be used on human skin or clothing to repel mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, fleas, and chiggers. These products may be pump sprays, liquids, aerosols, or wipes. There are about two dozen products with picaridin in them for sale in the United States.
Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378.
Some people have had skin irritation from using products containing picaridin, although this is very uncommon. If picaridin gets into someone's eyes, it may also cause irritation. When researchers fed large doses of picaridin to rats, the rats lost weight and their kidneys were affected. Picaridin is considered practically nontoxic if inhaled.
When researchers applied picaridin to the skin of rats, 60% of it went through the skin. In humans, less than 6% of the picaridin applied to skin was absorbed. Picaridin may be broken down once it is in the body. Rats and humans excrete almost all of it in their urine within a day of exposure.
Researchers did not see increases in cancer among laboratory animals after putting picaridin on the animals' skin for two years. The U.S. EPA decided that picaridin is not likely to cause cancer based on long-term skin exposure studies in rats and mice.
DEET is probably the insect repellent that melted plastic in the above post, and users should read about it (I use it to repel bedbugs, but shower in the morning).
Three Caminos from June-September, never saw a single mosquito. Zero.Hi, I started my france camino 28th /29th of June. . . Can i ask, Has anyone been troubled by mosquito bites ? I was bitten last year in Canada and suffered an Allergic reaction ... my arms,legs, especially my ankles got it most...I'll be taken all the precautions ...long shirts, trousers, etc...any other suggestions, and in Spain what product is best to buy for bites? I know mosquitoes & midges thrive in the warm heat, what can I expect, is there anything I can do? I Plan to start early each day to avoid the heat...thanks all advice appreciated.
Hi, I started my france camino 28th /29th of June. . . Can i ask, Has anyone been troubled by mosquito bites ? I was bitten last year in Canada and suffered an Allergic reaction ... my arms,legs, especially my ankles got it most...I'll be taken all the precautions ...long shirts, trousers, etc...any other suggestions, and in Spain what product is best to buy for bites? I know mosquitoes & midges thrive in the warm heat, what can I expect, is there anything I can do? I Plan to start early each day to avoid the heat...thanks all advice appreciated.
I was attacked by mosquitoes at the albergue in San Martin del Camino. Really bad. It wasn't until Molinaseca where a pharmacist specifically told me I was having an allergic reaction to the bites of the Tiger Mosquito, an Asian variation noted along The Camino in the last 5 years and as a sure import from Asia. I was prescribed a strong bug spray, alcohol to clean the bites (they got infected) and a cream to alleviate the itch. They looked horrendous before they got better, which eventually they did. Try not to touch them because they will spread the infection. I got a fever and loss of appetite, but truthfully it never impeded me from walking, and actually walking took the mind away from the itch. I wore long sleeves more out of embarrassment for the infected bites.
Please do know that Spain is not the tropic nor the Caribbean-- do not expect that level of humidity all along the Camino. I have walked the Camino in May-June- July and at some points in all these occasions had to wear a coat, gloves, scarf, and long sleeves.
That said, ankle bites sound more like bed bugs, specially if in bites pattern group of "threes". For sure the pharmacists along the Camino are the best as they have seen it all. Go in and ask for a strong bug spray.
In addition, you could go to a local supermarket and ask for bug spray, small wipes with alcohol or a small bottle, and anti-itch cream.
I encountered the Tiger Mosquitoes last summer at San Anton. We assumed they were being carried by some very hot dusty Saharan winds we encountered for a week which also included small beetles falling out of the sky during the day. The mosquitoes came out just around dusk and are very large with an articulated body. The bite is very painful and leaves an ugly, itchy welt. I don't know if there is anything you can spay on your body to repel them they are just that big.
I was attacked by mosquitoes at the albergue in San Martin del Camino. Really bad. It wasn't until Molinaseca where a pharmacist specifically told me I was having an allergic reaction to the bites of the Tiger Mosquito, an Asian variation noted along The Camino in the last 5 years and as a sure import from Asia. I was prescribed a strong bug spray, alcohol to clean the bites (they got infected) and a cream to alleviate the itch. They looked horrendous before they got better, which eventually they did. Try not to touch them because they will spread the infection. I got a fever and loss of appetite, but truthfully it never impeded me from walking, and actually walking took the mind away from the itch. I wore long sleeves more out of embarrassment for the infected bites.
Please do know that Spain is not the tropic nor the Caribbean-- do not expect that level of humidity all along the Camino. I have walked the Camino in May-June- July and at some points in all these occasions had to wear a coat, gloves, scarf, and long sleeves.
That said, ankle bites sound more like bed bugs, specially if in bites pattern group of "threes". For sure the pharmacists along the Camino are the best as they have seen it all. Go in and ask for a strong bug spray.
In addition, you could go to a local supermarket and ask for bug spray, small wipes with alcohol or a small bottle, and anti-itch cream.
Hi Joe, you've got some great advice about bite prevention. If you get any insect bites or stings, the Spanish Cuatroderm cream is really good. You might also want to bring a few anti-histamine tablets 'just in case'. Buen Camino!
Hi Joe, you've got some great advice about bite prevention. If you get any insect bites or stings, the Spanish Cuatroderm cream is really good. You might also want to bring a few anti-histamine tablets 'just in case'. Buen Camino!
I encountered the Tiger Mosquitoes last summer at San Anton. We assumed they were being carried by some very hot dusty Saharan winds we encountered for a week which also included small beetles falling out of the sky during the day. The mosquitoes came out just around dusk and are very large with an articulated body. The bite is very painful and leaves an ugly, itchy welt. I don't know if there is anything you can spay on your body to repel them they are just that big.
I encountered mosquitos on the camino frances in Sept 2014, but only once.
There's a lovely section where you walk beside the Canal de Castilla, between Boadilla del Camino and Fromista. Anyway, we'd left Boadilla in the half light and we were walking along the canal just as the sun was rising. It was a magical sunrise, with a red sun that was directly above the canal, turning the water dark red. Wonderful photo op! Anyway, we were all ooh-ing and aah-ing as to how beautiful it was when someone noticed the mosquitos. They were everywhere and we all got badly bitten. Other people who walked there later were untroubled.
So the usual advice is: don't be near still water at dawn and dusk.
My Lowe Alpine hat has a net that stores in the top of the hat. Unfortunately, the model has been discontinued. There may be other brands. It is not useful at night, but was essential on a couple of stretches of the Camino.a very light mosquito net to go over my wide brimmed sun hat.
The only place I was bothered by mosquitos was also near Boadilla del Camino, but it was walking into the town, not out of it along the canal. It was fairly early in the morning, around 8 or 8:30 am....
There's a lovely section where you walk beside the Canal de Castilla, between Boadilla del Camino...
Thanks Nuala, i'm sure you understand being from N. Ireland. Mosquitoes aren't a problem in Belfast. can i ask you about the heat at night in the Albergues, would it be strange if i was to take my bed mattress and place it near a window or cooler place in the Albergue, and put it back in place before i left the next morning . thanks
Nuala, Should i be getting anti-histamine from my doctors or from a chemist ? and do i take them now before i go ?
The only place I was bothered by mosquitos was also near Boadilla del Camino, but it was walking into the town, not out of it along the canal. It was fairly early in the morning, around 8 or 8:30 am.
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