insect bites - os solution

lickylonglips

I'm one week into a one month stay in bilbao, northern spain (learning spanish) and the past two nights i've been eaten alive by unseen insects while i sleep. I have kept the window closd on an evening as much as possible as I believe this is when they come out to feast.

Can anyone suggest an os solution to stop the biting and / or for the relief thereof. They're little raised red lumps, I suppose a little like a very small wart. They're sore on my hands, arms, face and back, but very itchy on my legs.

Any suggestions would be appreciated (bearing in mind I'm in (S)pain and might not have access to certain products (such as Avon skin-so-soft).

Thank you in advance.

PS The glorious weather sort of makes up for the discomfort of the insect bites!

mmmsnow

Citronella or anything lemony might help. When I was in Turkey on year, I picked up a little spray bottle of lemon scented water - that seemed to do the trick for keeping them off. Witch hazel (either in a bottle or one of those Witch sticks) is good for taking the sting out of bites - try the local chemist. I've googled and the Spanish for witch hazel seems to be "agua de hamamelis". It's also good for burns and sore muscles!

lickylonglips

thanks. the lemon rings a bell from when i was in marmaris about 10 years ago... we used to splash a sort of lemon cologne all over us before heading outside and before bed... tangy!

babyshoes

Just go into the local shop and see what products they have available. Those plug-in machines seem to work quite well.

I used to use non-gel toothpaste instead of calamine lotion on mosquito bites in a pinch. It takes some of the itch out, but does look weird!

lickylonglips

i might give the toothpaste a go this evening before bed, but remember to take it off before pottering around in the morning. i might frighten someone out the window!

lickylonglips

in the interests of being os about it, i picked up a 500ml bottle of "agrio de limon" which seems to be a sort of soured lemon juiceto use in salads, etc. it was 42c (about 37p), so if it doesn't work, I can always have it on my food.... I am dousing myself in it as I speak and hope that I don't end up smelling like a chip shop....

shazziere

just a thought......are you sure they are not bedbugs biting?

lickylonglips

i don't think so, but i had had the same thought this morning, so put the bedding on a hot wash

meritaten

bedbugs hide in the mattress during the day hun - check in the outer seams and underneath.
If it is flying insects then perhaps a mosquito net hung from the ceiling may help? Vinegar, particularly cider vinegar can help calm the itching from bites - or as suggested before, Witch Hazel. good luck!

Lizling

I haven't tried this myself yet, but someone told me a couple of days ago that a couple of drops of Dettol diluted with vegetable oil keeps the midges away. Might work on other biting things too.

rosie383

As someone who also seems to be a free dinner for the local mozzies, the only thing that really works (without using all those strong sprays) is the wee plug-in jobbie with the blue pastilles that you can probably buy from any supermarket. Just remember to bring the plug home with you and store it in your suitcase so you don't forget it next time you go on holiday!