Mosquito repellent is always at the top of the packing list when travelling to a hot country, with some concerned travellers also making sure they use antihistamine cream, citronella, mosquito nets and sting relief ointments as well.
However, it isn’t just scorching hot countries that pose a risk of mosquito bites, as you could even get them in the UK where summer weather is often temperamental.
Mosquitoes in the UK
In fact, there are 34 mosquitoes that are native to Britain, and many of these are known to bite and cause irritating, itchy pimples.
You are most likely to encounter mosquitoes when the weather is hot and dry, with the insects typically hovering around any stagnant water as this is where they like to breed.
Therefore, paddling pools, water butts, ponds, marshes, puddles, ditches and lakes see the largest numbers of mosquitoes, which is why it is best to avoid these if possible.
It is also sensible to cover water butts, empty paddling pools frequently, and remove leaves from bird baths.
Mosquitoes are most active during dusk and early hours in the morning, so you might want to stay indoors at these times of the day. Alternatively, you could protect yourself against the insects, just like you would if you were abroad.
Although mosquitoes in the UK do not pose the risk of contracting malaria unlike in tropical countries, many people still want to avoid getting bitten as the bites can be very uncomfortable and irritating.
Avoiding mosquitoes
As well as staying indoors during the evening and at dawn, it is also worth wearing long sleeves, covering your legs and wearing closed shoes so they do not bite there.
Of course, they can still attack your face and hands, so it is sensible to put mosquito repellent on exposed areas of skin. Make sure it is all covered in repellent and reapply frequently, particularly after putting on suncream.
You can also get plug-in formulas that release insecticide vapour, which may put the insects off and keep them at bay. Also, don’t forget to close windows at night so they don’t come in while you’re sleeping.
There are even mosquito repellent bracelets that you can get your hands on these days, which are infused with essential oils that are meant to repel insects. These include lemongrass, peppermint, citronella and eucalyptus.
How to treat mosquito bites
If you are bitten, it is important to treat the bite as soon as possible for maximum relief.
Though they are likely to be incredibly itchy, you should not scratch mosquito bites as this makes them become more aggravated and even itchier. Therefore, you are more likely to scratch them again and it becomes a vicious circle. It also increases the risk of getting an infection from the bite as you might break skin when scratching.
Instead of scratching, focus on treating the bite. You can do this by applying an ice pack to the bite for ten minutes or washing it either with soap and water, antibacterial gel or a wipe.
It is sensible to get some antihistamine cream from your pharmacy for your insect bites, as this will relieve the itching and reduce swelling.
You could also buy some over-the-counter antihistamines to counteract the histamine that is released in your body when bitten, which causes it to itch.
If it doesn’t appear to be getting better, it is worth speaking to your pharmacist, who might be able to suggest steroid creams or painkillers to offer relief of the symptoms.