Staying Healthy On The Road Part 2 - Insects

Mosquitoes are a menace. Possibly the most annoying of all insects, they also transport disease, cause painful, itchy welts and generally irritate the hell out of people. Insect repellent can be an absolute lifesaver in places where mosquitoes exist. There’s nothing more likely to kill a good mood than a swarm of these flying vampires. When traveling outside of the city, it’s always a good idea to keep at least a small bottle of repellent on your person at all times. You never know where you’ll encounter standing water and inevitably this little flying horror-show. The best application technique I’ve found is the spray-on method. This provides the easiest method and most coverage, especially on those hard-to-reach body parts. Repellent can save you from other dangerous insects as well.
Here’s a run-down on what’s best in terms of repellent products, defense and application. (Spoiler: it’s DEET)

Insect Repellents

Most experts agree that insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide) are the most reliable and long-lasting. DEET repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods when applied to the skin or clothing.

• DEET formulations 30- 50% are recommended for both adults and children over 2 months of age.
• When using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and then repellent.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into socks, and hats to cover exposed skin.
• Inspect your body and clothing for ticks during outdoor activity and at the end of the day. Wear light-colored or white clothing so ticks can be more easily seen.
• Apply permethrin or other insect repellents, to clothing, shoes, tents, mosquito nets, and other gear for greater protection. Permethrin-treated clothing is effective for up to 5 washings.
• Be aware that mosquitoes that transmit malaria are most active between dusk and dawn. Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, and/ or sleep under an insecticide treated bed net.

Insects & The Diseases They Transmit

• Fleas — Plague, Rickettsial Fevers, Tunga penetrans
• Flies — Leishmaniasis, River Blindness, Ricketssial Fevers, African Sleeping Sickness
• Kissing Bugs — Chagas Disease
• Mosquitoes — Chikungunya, Dengue, Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis , Malaria, Yellow Fever
• Ticks — Lyme Disease, Tickborne Encephalitis, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

Find out more about the insect-borne illnesses  Dengue Fever

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Staying Healthy On The Road Part 1- Immunizations