Health and safety forum

deet or picaridin

greektravel-
ler

noodle lady
Posts: 43

I wanna buy insect repellants and I am bit worried after reading the dangers of deet. any suggestion?

#1 Posted: 14/3/2011 - 22:44
busylizzy

under-employed
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I took some Deet with me, but hated wearing it because of the chemicals but also because it was so thick and sticky and unpleasant to wear. In the end, I just used over-the-counter locally purchased repellant and it did the job just fine. Mind you, I wasn't there in the wet season, and didn't come across too many problem areas where mozzies where rampant.

#2 Posted: 15/3/2011 - 02:15

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Thomas922

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Locally in most countries or online you can get deet products that are not so strong. In the last 10 years I have been in and out of Japan/Thai/Camb/Viet/HK/Singapore/ and a few more. I have only used a reppellant less than 5 times total. I guess mossies don't find me appealling. But I did find stuff that was like a mild lotion and not sticky and wasn't uncomfortable. Get some thin longsleeves and leggings (non cotton the travel gear stuff) and spray around the outside of those especially your shoes/feet and ankle areas. Don't spray yourself with strong sweet scents (including hair products) and don't wear really bright colors at dusk/dawn. And don't freak out at every bite. You will get bit. Chances are you won't get sick. BUT...many people do and mostly it is mild for a few days. Only a few get typhoid/dengue/malaria ragingly bad and we read about it but I have yet to meet anyone. Bring some multi vitamins to keep your immune system up and take nights off from partying/drinking to recover. It is up to you how much you prepare (ie drugs) but don't freak out.

#3 Posted: 15/4/2011 - 10:47