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if anybody elses is going to france or abroad be aware of the mosquitos our 9 year old daughter has been in hospital with cellulitis caused by an insect bite since thursday  hopefully home by tuesday been in a lot of pain

just be aware people you dont want to go through what we have had to for the last 7 days since returning from france

We've just returned from La Tranche in the Vendee (just over a week now) and, whilst out there, I was bitten to bu##ery. My foot & ankle swelled up and I could hardly walk for a day.  My foot has since returned to normal size but still hurts considerably. This was still after spraying with repellent numerous times a day and wearing long trousers & T-shirts in the evenings. My kids are still counting the bites on my legs, arms & back.  My mother-in-law even got bit on her backside (allegedly!!)........so it just goes to show they fear nothing !!!!

Its not just the mozzies in France that bite.  I was sitting out in a pub garden last week I had long trousers on and was bitten through the trousers and through my t shirt in several places including my bum!!   Have had allergic reaction to bites for some time now like the person above my foot was like a moon boot!  If it doesn't improve get to your GP it may be infected, have taken my anti-histamine and it appears to have had the desired effect, they are beginning to go down, thank God.

Jo

Sorry to hear about everyone's troubles, my advice is to buy the local insect repellant for the country your in (the locals know what works!), the french one we bought is oil based but not too greasy. Smells nice if you like lemon. Good moisturiser too.  Managed to stay bitten free on our long 3 month tour.  Hope this helps!

We expected trouble with mozzies this year, camping near an inland lake etc.  Took precautions recommended last year by veteran campers.  Odourless Garlic capsules and/or Vit B + Anti Histamines - while burning enough Citronella products to swamp France! Also sprayed liberally after each shower with an Avon product also reputed to be repellant - well aren't most Avon products???---- Skin So Soft.  Even so I was bitten once , daughter bitten twice and husband also just the once- in 4 weeks - I feel we won!  The biggest problem this year however were the b******d wasps!  We began to think the things recognised plate shapes!!!

Bugs love me! I put on repellent and burn candles etc- fortunately this year in Longeville sur mer I only got a couple- however before I went I was staying at Nottingham university and was eaten alive as was everybody- and they all turned nasty.( the bug bites not the people!) It was worse than anything I had experienced camping!

we're just back fromfrance and despite staying in a forest and not taking anything with me i didn't get bitten once!

hope your daughters better soon

Quote: Originally posted by campingmeerkat on 03/09/2004

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Bugs love me! I put on repellent and burn candles etc- fortunately this year in Longeville sur mer I only got a couple- however before I went I was staying at Nottingham university and was eaten alive as was everybody- and they all turned nasty.( the bug bites not the people!) It was worse than anything I had experienced camping!

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I'm much the same, but if I get bitten a lot or a bite looks as if it is turning nasty I quickly take anti-histamine tablets, to tackle the problem from 'inside'. I take the non-drowsy one-a-day type for about three days just until the itchy stage passes.

Another tip for individual bites that are impossibly itchy is to apply an ice cube. The cooling effect takes the swelling down, and the numbness means you can't feel the itching either for a while. (Not a very helpful tip if you are camping w/o a freezer - but a good enough excuse to raid the bar I would have thought!)

We are off to France next week so I will be stocking up with all the medicines for er in doors and my daughter who always get bitten to death. I never seem to. The only time I did The mozzy dropped dead. Must be all the Paddy and Tullachmore in my system.

I like the garlic idea. will it keep my Mother in Law away as well?

Brucie baby

I used to be conceited but now i'm perfect