Mosquito Repellent for Sensitive Skin - What brand do you recommend?
 

Well, the title says it all.

Heading to Portugal where I hear the mosquitoes are the size of birds! ;) ;) ;)

Anyway, some of you may know already about my Florida bug bite fiasco, which in all seriousness was really uncomfortable.

Simply put, I am allergic to bug bites.

I need to buy a repellent for this trip but there are so many to chose from. And I really hate the thought of chemicals on my body, but I have no choice.

So, what can you recommend as a safe and effective bug repellent?

Thanks so much!

"Hate to be Buggy" or otherwise known as STW :D

Go to a sporting goods store and purchase a little bottle of 100% DEET repellent. Be sure to look at the contents, because it varies from 4 to 100% concentration. You only need a very little bit, (that's why the container is so small) and this is the best repellent on the market by far.

And the fear of DEET is overblown in my opinion. EPA has assessed and re-assessed:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsh...icals/deet.htm

- From another Hate To Be Buggy Fodorite!

on a recent trip a took advice from a fodorite who said to take garlic and a B12 vitamin tablet every day. It worked!

I use catnip oil. My husband got it for me b/c I was out running several times a week and he didn't want me applying DEET all the time. I actually laughed when it came in the mail, I am very skeptical of "alternative" products.

But since he paid for it, I told him I'd use it. And you know what? It worked! I actually saw the mosquitos fly up to me and then fly away. I took it on my trip to Alaska last summer and it worked great. The only thing it didn't repel was some biting flies, so I whipped out the DEET for that.

This is the brand we use, I have no connection with them except as a happy customer: http://altnature.com/gallery/catnip_...o_repllent.htm

A shot glass full of vinegar does the same thing. Mosquitos just aren't interested anymore!

Any kind of vinegar?

Just plain ole white vinegar.

Also I've heard wash your clothes with BOUNCE, they don't like the stuff.

Sounds like a science experiment, lol.

Hmmm, I'm not sure about the 100% Deet...maybe for my legs and ankles...

Starrsville, have you tried a "before and after" with the vinegar?

I'm currently taking B6, maybe I should switch to B12.

I'd be willing to give the catnip oil a try, but don't know if I'd get it in time for our trip. Birdie, have you ever seen it in a store?

Anyone starting to itch, lol? :D

Bed, Bath, and Beyond carries these bracelets that really work. Four for $9.99. My daughter has sensitive skin and is highly allergic to mosquito bites.

They are not very fashion forward but do the trick. Best of luck.

seetheworld, how about Buzz-off clothing (I've seen them on LL Bean website). They claim to be insect-repellent and provide sunscreen.

I have not tried these personally.

We use Deep Woods Off at home which also worked very well in Alaska last summer where the mosquitos appeared large enough to drive the car--perhaps they took a vacation from the blood of Portugal? ;-) There are two scents but I don't know the names--green can (original?) and an orange can which, to me, smells better.

Have heard some people swear by Avons Skin So Soft but haven't tried it.

Seriously, why is everyone so afraid of DEET? I have never heard of anyone personally having a reaction to the stuff. Would be very interested to hear of first hand accounts. I'm starting to think the sensitivity is all a bunch of ....mosquito doo doo.

I have tried so many brands, this is the only thing that works (for me).

You can also rub a Bounce sheet all over exposed skin. When you finish, just put the spent sheet on top of your head, and it'll keep them out of your hair too. heehee...takes a big man to do that!!

Joan, I'll let you in on a little secret...ssssh...I hope no one is listening...I'm not a natural red head. :) Shocking, I know. Sadly, I am slowly becoming allergic to the colorant the salon uses in my hair. When I say I have sensitive skin, I kid you not. But maybe I will concede and use Deet on my legs and ankles in the evenings. I certainly don't want any mosquito doo doo on me. :D

I too have sensitive skin. I completely understand when you say you are becoming alergic to your hair colorant. My scalp reacts to it too, but I would rather have a reaction every 6 weeks and premature grey hair. And my God, just the THOUGHT of rubbing a Bounce dryer sheet on my skin makes me itch. I can't even use that stuff in my dryer, let alone apply it directly to my skin.

I would absolutely try the garlic and B12 to make the damned things stay away.

I don't know about the catnip oil - with sensitive skin it might be a disaster.

I have had good luck with Off Skintastic spray.

esm, I checked out the shirts on LL Beam. I'm gonna head to the mall tomorrow to check them out. Or I'm thinking I'll take along a couple of my own and spray some repellent on them.

My oh my, we are a clever and creative bunch of folks! :D

STW, check out the health food stores or alternative groceries for the catnip oil too. Sounds like worth trying.

I hope this planning for Portugal means good news on the other issue for you. :-)

Hey starrs. The issue will still have to be dealt with when we return. I made my decision -- I'm going. Life's too short not to. But there is some good news, I won't be needing to take the drug my MD gave me!! There is a God and the rest I'm just putting on the back burner until we return. The only uneasiness about this trip is leaving my sons behind.

J, I hear ya! My dear aunt has the same problem except she can't wear anything black -- allergic to black dye of all things! Now if that happens to me, I'll need to do some serious shopping, lol.

You guys are great! :D

OK, I am having a vision of the future.

I see a Fodorite lounging in a Portugal cafe, shot of vinegar on the table in front of her, wearing LLBean and Bounce haute couture, kittens at her feet rolling around in bliss. No mosquitoes for miles around.

I like it!!!! >:-)