How can I avoid mosquito bites?

This article tells you about how you can avoid mosquito bites. There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your risk of mosquito bites. This is important to prevent malaria and other infections.

Be aware of the risks of malaria and other infections in your destination

Your risk of malaria and other infections will depend on the country that you are travelling to, whether the area you will be staying in is urban or rural and the kinds of activities that you will be doing during your stay. Your general health and any long-term conditions that you are suffering from can also affect your risks. Please book a travel appointment to find out about your risk of malaria and other infections.

Avoiding bites

There are a number of things that you can do to avoid bites. These include using effective insect repellents, covering up and the use of mosquito nets and air conditioning in your room at night, where this is available. Remember that different types of mosquito and other insects bite at different times, so it is important that you avoid bites during the day time and at night.

Insect repellent

Ask your pharmacist for an insect repellent that contains DEET. In a humid country you will sweat more, therefore insect repellent needs to be applied frequently. Ensure that you do not get this near your mouth or eyes. You should apply your insect repellent after sunscreen. Make sure that you reapply your insect repellent after swimming. Make sure that you keep your insect repellent away from plastic and leather clothing and products.

Cover up

Mosquitoes can bite throughout the day and night, indoors and outdoors. When possible, wear loose fitting clothing with long sleeves and long trousers, socks and shoes. Permethrin treated clothing provides significant protection against biting mosquitoes.

Mosquito nets

Where possible you should use mosquito nets. If you are sleeping or resting in unscreened accommodation during the day or night, or if you are sleeping outdoors, you should use insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Make sure that the nets are free of tears and tucked under the mattress. You should replace nets every three to five years.

If possible sleep in an air-conditioned and screened room. Your pharmacist can advise you about the use of plug-in devices to use in your room to reduce your risk further.

What else should I do to prevent malaria?

Your pharmacist may recommend medicines to prevent malaria and you can book an appointment to find out more about your options. You need to take medicines to prevent malaria as prescribed and complete the course of treatment. We can write you a prescription for antimalarial tablets. We have same day appointments available and we can write you a prescription on the day that you attend.

Do garlic capsules, yeast extract or vitamin B12 prevent mosquito bites?

There is no evidence that garlic capsules, yeast extract or vitamin B12 prevent you from getting bitten by mosquitoes. However, these are harmless, so you can take them if you want to, but make sure that you use them in conjunction with conventional measures. If you do decide to take these, check with your pharmacist that they do not interact with any of your prescribed medicines.

After your return

If you are given malaria tablets it is really important to complete the whole course after you return home. If you suffer from flu like symptoms within a year of your return from a malaria area you should seek urgent medical advice.