So for those of you who have traveled with me before, you know that if there area bugs around to bite me, I attract them. I hear it has something to do with having an abundance of Vitamin B in your system (Brian, could you look into this please?). In any case, the mosquitoes have indeed found me here in Italy too.
In fact, I intended to mention this over a week ago when I got my first bite. They're like normal mosquito bites only the itching is significantly more intense. And for some reason, even if you don't touch them or scratch them, they still itch. And they take longer to go away - so that's no fun.
Especially when I woke up the other morning in Venice with 10 bites on my left cheek, three on my forehead, four on my right cheek, two on each arm, three on my left thigh, two on my right calf, three on my left foot and one on the bottom of my right foot.
Evidently there was a mosquito in the room.
It's a little hard to see in the photo - but I promise, none of those are zits. ALL bites.
Friday, October 17, 2008
That Bites
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5 comments:
Oh I am SO sorry... you can hardly tell in your picture, but I am sure it is annoying! So glad you are having fun still though.
That does bite, so sorry! I have the same problem when I travel...it stinks. Good luck with those on the bottom of your foot, I HATE those! Hope Venice makes up for it though. Love ya!
frickin' 'squitos!! I feel your pain. When we went to Yosemite, I had bites all up and down my legs! They itched so badly I would wake up in the middle of the night from the incessant itching! Good luck ruinating the little boogers!
Here's a little mosquito 101, culled together from various sources:
The name "Mosquito" is Spanish for "Little Fly", and it's true that only the females bite.
They find their prey using three main strategies:
1) Scent: Mosquitoes have extremely sensitive chemical receptors that are especially tuned to carbon dioxide and lactic acid (gasses that mammals and birds expel when they exhale). Certain chemicals found in sweat are also believed to attract them.
2) Movement: If you are wearing clothing that contrasts against your surroundings and you're moving around you'll be more attractive.
3) Heat: Mosquitoes can also sense heat.
These three strategies have been developed over the last 30 million years to form an almost perfect tracking system for living prey, especially if you're a hot, sweaty, hyperactive American running around in loud clothing and exhaling a lot. But don't think I'm singling you out, Anne Marie - I know you don't exhale very much.
The idea surrounding Vitamin B is that taking large doses of it will act as a natural repellent when it comes out in your sweat, but unfortunately this is a myth. I found several studies that come to the same conclusion on this.
Everything that I found said that the only truly effective repellents are the ones that contain DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) which kinda stinks (literally). But you don't need 100% concentration to be effective for every day protection. I found several experts that agreed that 15% was enough if the area isn't particularly infested. Creams have also been shown to last longer than liquids, by the way.
The bites itch because mosquitoes leave behind a little saliva laced with anticoagulants which causes an immune system response. To treat them you will want to avoid scratching them as this willaggravate the bodies response. Instead see if you can find a topical insect bite medication (they are pretty common: Kristi found some in Japan) which will help reduce the swelling. IF you can't find that, a smallamount of ammonia will work, as will a baking soda paste or hydrocortezone cream. I've also read that leaving tooth paste on the bite will help ease the swelling, but I'm not sure you really want tooth paste on your face while you're onvacation. Or, I don't know, maybe you do. I probably shouldn't assume.
I would find a drugstore and ask a friendly looking local to help you find mosquito bite ointment. In fact, for your best bet, find a young, Italian guy to ask - Guys love to helpforeign chicks in distress!
Wow - EXCELLENT answer Brian!! I knew I could count on you and your über-research abilities!!
Speaking of which, a friend I met today who has the slightly earlier version of the canon powershot that you helped me pick out - yeah, he was jealous, heheheh! Thanks again for your tremendous help - on all fronts!!
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