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Travel in Central and South America.

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Post Subject:

Malaria and Mosquito Repellent

Reply from: Alan S
Date: 03 Feb, 22:23
Hi All

I'm going on a trip which will include Thailand, Cambodia,
India, Jordan, Egypt and Yucatan in a few weeks.

I will be doing the normal prophylaxis for malaria. I have
to be fairly careful with a shaky immune system.

I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
countries if replenishment is needed.

I'll be talking to my doc on medication prophylaxis, but any
thoughts on that would also be appreciated.

Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia

Reply from: Bert Hyman
Date: 03 Feb, 22:38
In news:fmbcq35kgj9acu8lp5l2dev4fv658938c8@4ax.com Alan S
<nothere@there.com> wrote:

> I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
> or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.

Around here, DEET (N, N-Dimethyl-metatoluamide) is still the only way to
go (the mosquito is Minnesota's unofficial state bird).

Conventional wisdom used to be that 100% DEET (or close to it) was
needed, but lower concentrations have been found effective by many.

3M sells a lotion called "UltraThon" which is 34% DEET which they claim
lasts 12 hours and is water and perspiration resistant. Don't know if
it's available where you are.

You might also consider permethrin based products for application to
your CLOTHING [never on your skin] if you're seriously concerned.


--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com

Reply from: John Kulp
Date: 03 Feb, 22:46
On Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:23:56 +1100, Alan S <nothere@there.com> wrote:

>Hi All
>
>I'm going on a trip which will include Thailand, Cambodia,
>India, Jordan, Egypt and Yucatan in a few weeks.
>
>I will be doing the normal prophylaxis for malaria. I have
>to be fairly careful with a shaky immune system.
>
>I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
>or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
>Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
>me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
>in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
>countries if replenishment is needed.
>
>I'll be talking to my doc on medication prophylaxis, but any
>thoughts on that would also be appreciated.

Only those with Deet work as a mosquito repellent, unless you want to
try what we used in Vietnam which was tabacco juice, which I wouldn't
recommend but it sure works. Probably for the same reason as it kills
humans. You should ask your doctor what concentration is safe for you
given your condition. Sleep with a mosquito net even if you have to
take one with you which is what I would do.

Reply from: Lee Martin
Date: 04 Feb, 00:16

"Alan S" <nothere@there.com> wrote in message
news:fmbcq35kgj9acu8lp5l2dev4fv658938c8@4ax.com...
> Hi All
>
> I'm going on a trip which will include Thailand, Cambodia,
> India, Jordan, Egypt and Yucatan in a few weeks.
>
> I will be doing the normal prophylaxis for malaria. I have
> to be fairly careful with a shaky immune system.
>
> I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
> or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
> Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
> me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
> in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
> countries if replenishment is needed.
>
> I'll be talking to my doc on medication prophylaxis, but any
> thoughts on that would also be appreciated.
>
> Cheers, Alan, Australia
> --
> http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
> latest: Slovenia

As others have said, concoctions based on DEET work best. In Australia,
Bushmans is 80% DEET. Freely available in Qld and most of the tropics I
think. Not sure about southern states.Whatever you get, make sure its cream
or oil based....sprays are useless.



Reply from: Viviane
Date: 04 Feb, 11:35
It's widely available in Sydney - chemists, camping shops etc.

"Lee Martin" <spunge@spunge.com> wrote in message
news:rXrpj.10823$421.10575@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "Alan S" <nothere@there.com> wrote in message
> news:fmbcq35kgj9acu8lp5l2dev4fv658938c8@4ax.com...
>> Hi All
>>
>> I'm going on a trip which will include Thailand, Cambodia,
>> India, Jordan, Egypt and Yucatan in a few weeks.
>>
>> I will be doing the normal prophylaxis for malaria. I have
>> to be fairly careful with a shaky immune system.
>>
>> I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
>> or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
>> Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
>> me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
>> in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
>> countries if replenishment is needed.
>>
>> I'll be talking to my doc on medication prophylaxis, but any
>> thoughts on that would also be appreciated.
>>
>> Cheers, Alan, Australia
>> --
>> http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
>> latest: Slovenia
>
> As others have said, concoctions based on DEET work best. In Australia,
> Bushmans is 80% DEET. Freely available in Qld and most of the tropics I
> think. Not sure about southern states.Whatever you get, make sure its
> cream or oil based....sprays are useless.
>



Reply from: Alfred Molon
Date: 04 Feb, 08:02
In article <fmbcq35kgj9acu8lp5l2dev4fv658938c8@4ax.com>, Alan S says...

> I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
> or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
> Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
> me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
> in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
> countries if replenishment is needed.

The Autan they sell here in Germany blocks mosquitoes 100%. Much, much
more efficient than what I have been able to find in south east Asia. My
experience is that with the Autan (sold in Germany) mosquitoes do not
sting me.
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - Photos of Asia, Africa and Europe

Reply from: Liz Leyden
Date: 05 Feb, 00:11
In message <MPG.2210d6e68d23593698b95d@news.supernews.com>
Alfred Molon <alfred_molon@yahoo.com> wrote:

> In article <fmbcq35kgj9acu8lp5l2dev4fv658938c8@4ax.com>, Alan S says...
>
>> I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
>> or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
>> Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
>> me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
>> in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
>> countries if replenishment is needed.
>
> The Autan they sell here in Germany blocks mosquitoes 100%. Much, much
> more efficient than what I have been able to find in south east Asia. My
> experience is that with the Autan (sold in Germany) mosquitoes do not
> sting me.
That's true, provided that you cover every mm of your skin. However,
it's a bite repellant not an insect repellant as such. When we were in
Austria, that was the one everyone recommended. So we went to
Marchauen-Marchegg slathered in Autan. Right enough, we didn't get
bitten there, but every time we stopped, they got into our mouths,
behind our glasses, into our ears, generally swarmed around us all the
time. Meaning we had to frog-march the whole 7 km without seeing
anything at all. :-(

Slainte

Liz

--
http://www.v-liz.com - Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Galapagos



Reply from: William Black
Date: 04 Feb, 08:12

"Alan S" <nothere@there.com> wrote in message
news:fmbcq35kgj9acu8lp5l2dev4fv658938c8@4ax.com...
> Hi All
>
> I'm going on a trip which will include Thailand, Cambodia,
> India, Jordan, Egypt and Yucatan in a few weeks.
>
> I will be doing the normal prophylaxis for malaria. I have
> to be fairly careful with a shaky immune system.
>
> I would appreciate suggestions on the most effective rub-on
> or spray-on mosquito repellents for daily personal use.
> Preferably one that doesn't also repel those who sit next to
> me in buses and which doesn't make me appear to be covered
> in baby oil and which is likely to be available in those
> countries if replenishment is needed.
>
> I'll be talking to my doc on medication prophylaxis, but any
> thoughts on that would also be appreciated.

Malaria medication can have some nasty side-effects, especially if taken
for longer than eight weeks or so.

Plus it can make you drowsy, affect sleep patterns and all sorts of nasty
stuff. The reason people start it before they go is to find out if you can
function while taking the stuff. It also isn't that effective, it only
seems to stop 30% to 50% of infections...

In India I find that decent anti-insect discipline when sleeping (always
switch on the electric mosquito killer, make sure the window meshes are in
good condition) and rub on DEET (about 30% works, anything over 50%
irritates my skin) about an hour before dusk if going out of doors.

There's an old trick you can try, which is to spray some 100% DEET on your
hat brim now and again, but your hat gets in a disgusting state after a
month or so...

As for brands, the 'Boots' own brand 'tropical strength stuff works.

So does one called 'Jungle Juice' but it's three times the price...

My experience is that the best you can buy is the stuff the local chemist,
wherever the insects are, recommends, because the insects vary...

--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.


Reply from: -hh
Date: 04 Feb, 15:44
"William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Malaria medication can have some nasty side-effects,
>  especially if taken for longer than eight weeks or so.

Plus they each have their trade-offs. FWIW, one of them (I forget
which: its the one that is one pill per week) has a side effect
warning of "vivid dreams" ... this is a polite way of saying
"nightmares". I've taken this stuff, and I found that my balance was
off on the day after taking it (got less bad over time).


> In India I find that decent anti-insect discipline...
> ...and rub on DEET (about 30% works,  anything over 50%
> irritates my skin) about an hour before dusk if going out of doors.

DEET is a known carcinogen, so it is wise to limit your exposure
instead of bathing in the stuff. This means to be aware of both how
many hours/day its on your skin, as well as the concentration level in
use.

The recommended maximum concentration is now around 33%, which will
provide protection for around 2/3rds as long as the full 100%
concentration does. As far as how many hours per application this is
worth depends on which numbers you believe, but figure it to be 8hrs
if you believe that 100% lasts 12hrs, or 5-6hrs vs 8hrs.

In general, use good prevention techniques of tucking in pants legs,
putting protective stuff on clothing, etc, to minimize the actual
amount of skin in contact with DEET, and then plan your application
times to allign with times of higher exposure risk (dawn, dusk,
etc).

BTW, particularly when you get above 50% DEET, the nastiness of this
chemical will damage plastics (etch & craze). Be particularly aware
of hand contact with your camera. This doesn't mean that 30%
concentration can't cause damage, but rather that it won't do it quite
as quickly or severely as higher concentration stuff.


-hh

Reply from: William Black
Date: 04 Feb, 16:03

"-hh" <recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> wrote in message
news:dbf2ea5d-24e0-4c2b-8e79-6423a9cec5df@z17g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

In general, use good prevention techniques of tucking in pants legs,
putting protective stuff on clothing, etc, to minimize the actual
amount of skin in contact with DEET, and then plan your application
times to allign with times of higher exposure risk (dawn, dusk,
etc).

-----------------------------------------

If all you're doing is sitting on a beach then fine.

If you are on a city break then walking about with your pant tucked into
your socks may just cause some hilarity.


--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.


Reply from: John Kulp
Date: 04 Feb, 17:43
On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 06:44:53 -0800 (PST), -hh
<recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> wrote:

>"William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> Malaria medication can have some nasty side-effects,
>> =A0especially if taken for longer than eight weeks or so.
>
>Plus they each have their trade-offs. FWIW, one of them (I forget
>which: its the one that is one pill per week) has a side effect
>warning of "vivid dreams" ... this is a polite way of saying
>"nightmares". I've taken this stuff, and I found that my balance was
>off on the day after taking it (got less bad over time).
>
>
>> In India I find that decent anti-insect discipline...
>> ...and rub on DEET (about 30% works, =A0anything over 50%
>> irritates my skin) about an hour before dusk if going out of doors.
>
>DEET is a known carcinogen, so it is wise to limit your exposure
>instead of bathing in the stuff. This means to be aware of both how
>many hours/day its on your skin, as well as the concentration level in
>use.

Not in humans it hasn't though Alan has a medical condition so he
should see his doctor and discuss DEET and its particular use in his
case.

Reply from: -hh
Date: 04 Feb, 19:14
John Kulp wrote:
> -hh wrote:
> >
> >DEET is a known carcinogen...
>
> Not in humans it hasn't ...

And it never will be tested appropriately in humans to prove it,
because that would be unethical medical research.


-hh

Reply from: Alan S
Date: 05 Feb, 01:00
On Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:43:13 GMT, john_kulp@hotmail.com
(John Kulp) wrote:

>On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 06:44:53 -0800 (PST), -hh
><recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> wrote:
>
>>"William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>> Malaria medication can have some nasty side-effects,
>>> =A0especially if taken for longer than eight weeks or so.
>>
>>Plus they each have their trade-offs. FWIW, one of them (I forget
>>which: its the one that is one pill per week) has a side effect
>>warning of "vivid dreams" ... this is a polite way of saying
>>"nightmares". I've taken this stuff, and I found that my balance was
>>off on the day after taking it (got less bad over time).
>>
>>
>>> In India I find that decent anti-insect discipline...
>>> ...and rub on DEET (about 30% works, =A0anything over 50%
>>> irritates my skin) about an hour before dusk if going out of doors.
>>
>>DEET is a known carcinogen, so it is wise to limit your exposure
>>instead of bathing in the stuff. This means to be aware of both how
>>many hours/day its on your skin, as well as the concentration level in
>>use.
>
>Not in humans it hasn't though Alan has a medical condition so he
>should see his doctor and discuss DEET and its particular use in his
>case.

Of course, particularly as my doc will be the one
prescribing malaria prophylaxis meds. However, I've found
that the collective knowledge of the net - for all my
ailments - often assists me in dealing with docs and
specialists.

So I appreciate all the input here. Thanks all.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia

Reply from: Alan S
Date: 05 Feb, 00:57
On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 06:44:53 -0800 (PST), -hh
<recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> wrote:

>DEET is a known carcinogen

Could you support that please? I'm not being smart; that's a
genuine request. I have CLL and hypogammaglobulinemia, so I
would appreciate any links you may have supporting that. I
did do some searching on Google Scholar
http://tinyurl.com/27nqgy
Medline
http://tinyurl.com/26pqe2
and Highwire
http://tinyurl.com/yvylwl
but found no clear support. There were some problems noticed
in rats, mice and dogs but no indication of human problems.

That is also one of the reasons I'm taking the dangers from
Mosquito bites in the tropics very seriously. But I'll still
travel:-)

I bought a tube of 80% Bushman's yesterday to try it. Rubbed
a tiny amount on my forearms. Possibly it's purely
coincidental that today I have gastro problems. Possibly
not.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia

Reply from: John Kulp
Date: 05 Feb, 02:11
On Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:57:12 +1100, Alan S <nothere@there.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 06:44:53 -0800 (PST), -hh
><recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> wrote:
>
>>DEET is a known carcinogen

It's not in humans. The US military uses it routinely and would
certainly know if it was. You still should check it out with your
doctor, though, given your conditions in case it interacts with
medicine you're taking.

>
>Could you support that please? I'm not being smart; that's a
>genuine request. I have CLL and hypogammaglobulinemia, so I
>would appreciate any links you may have supporting that. I
>did do some searching on Google Scholar
>http://tinyurl.com/27nqgy
>Medline
>http://tinyurl.com/26pqe2
>and Highwire
>http://tinyurl.com/yvylwl
>but found no clear support. There were some problems noticed
>in rats, mice and dogs but no indication of human problems.
>
>That is also one of the reasons I'm taking the dangers from
>Mosquito bites in the tropics very seriously. But I'll still
>travel:-)
>
>I bought a tube of 80% Bushman's yesterday to try it. Rubbed
>a tiny amount on my forearms. Possibly it's purely
>coincidental that today I have gastro problems. Possibly
>not.
>
>
>Cheers, Alan, Australia
>--
>http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
>latest: Slovenia



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