DEET & Bug spray reactions
 

Am allergic to most perfumes, strong chemical cleaners and the like and a bit concerned about having a reaction to the bug sprays in the room & DEET. The reaction is not so much on my skin but breathing the stuff in.

Wondering if any others have had any reactions and if so how did they dealt with it?

Thanks! :)

I went to my doctor and said - "Dr it hurts when I twist my arm around like that". He said - "Then don't do that."

sorry, forgive me, just HAD to tell one of my favorite old Dr jokes.

regards - tom

Try mosi guard, it's a very good product.

Here is the address of the website:

www.mosi-guard.com

http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/illnes..._and_tick.html

Good CDC/Travel MD link for you with all pros and cons

of DEET and other products...personally have sensitivities so

I prefer www.cutteradvanced.com similar performance less

toxicity/reactions also best for small children.

Happy Travels,

I have never had any need to spray my room/tent or apply such to my skin, so can't advise with specifics. Just haven't found mossies to be a problem on my various visits. Have I been bitten? One tse-tse, one mossie in Nairobi, sand flies on coastal beach, grass ants when sitting in grass... I lived without any anything. Just be sure to have an antibiotic pill or cream to sooth any itching and DO NOT scratch it bitten.

But, I'd say if breathing in the Deet would cause a problem, seek another option. If not Mosiguard, I have always still packed, besides bottle of Off (never used) also have Avon's Skin So Soft (the one that contains some chemical) that works for some and sure smells good; likewise have never used.

Have you "test-sprayed" any DEET or anything to see whether you have any reactions to it? If you're worried about allergies or respiratory issues, you might want to check with your doctor before you go to see what options you have.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the almost total dearth of biting insects during my trip to Kenya. I got one bite in Nairobi (not sure what it was; it swelled up and turned bright red, but it didn't hurt or itch so I didn't really care), then nothing the entire time I was on safari. And I'm normally the type of person who can walk into mosquito-y woods with a dozen other people, all of whom will emerge with no bites while I'll look like I've just been attacked by a swarm of yellow-jackets. I really didn't have any problems. I used the wipes that the camps provided and I think I might have used the DEET lotion once early in the trip, but it was pretty much a non-issue while I was there.

I thought the camps/lodges spray the rooms everywhere so that was part of my concern and all the packing lists refer to DEET & various bug sprays along with how/when to apply, no DEET on back of neck and so on.

Will be in Kenya & Tanzania in early June, btw.

So am I to gather that I don't need to slather myself with bug repellent each time I venture out after dusk just have some on hand in case they get bad, as well as something for after bites?

Will definitely be checking with my Dr and the suggested websites.

Does anyone know if/where Mosi-guard is sold in Canada or US?

Hi KathBC
Can you enlighten me on the "no DEET on back of neck and so on"?

I have reread the warnings on my Bushmans 40% DEET spray and can find no reference to this prohibition.

Thanks and cheers
Elaine

Hi ElaineAust,

I've read "no DEET on back of neck" mentioned on several threads here, but I could be wrong. This does not come from anything official I've seen.

Thanks KathBC
I have found those threads.
Cybors thread was very interesting.
I have been using Bushmans for years with no problems so far but always with caution (and more so now).
Lets see how I go in Zambia next month.
Cheers
Elaine

>>I went to my doctor and said - "Dr it hurts when I twist my arm around like that". He said - "Then don't do that."

>>sorry, forgive me, just HAD to tell one of my favorite old Dr jokes.

Tom,

I had about the same thing. My left eye always started to hurt when I was drinking a cup of tea. My doctor told me to take the spoon out of the cup...

"back of neck"
...just as easy to smell the fumes as if this stuff was on your face.

Kathee - besides the suggested - try spraying Deet and see if you react. But as to your room/tent... just tell the attendant NOT to spray!