Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Staying Healthy on the Road
Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Mar 2001
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
Insect repellent

For my Alaska trip in June I am researching DEET. I have seen products from 10% to 100% DEET. Some say time release. I saw a quote from a US army report that 30% to 40% worked better than 75% DEET. Also warnings about damage to synthetic fabrics and plastic from contact with DEET.
Any information would be appreciated.
John
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Mar 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 10
Deet will indeed "eat" some clothing articles and plastics. The single best bug repellent is a mix of Johnson&Johnson baby oil (the cheap see-through $1.99 stuff in the corner store) and Dettol, a disinfectant. Mix 3 parts baby oil for 1 part Dettol. Shake well and the stuff turns white. Works like a charm and you won't see a bug around. I've used it in Canada and Asia with 100% success. You don't need much. Other benefit is that is works as a disinfectant (good when you are in 3rd world countries). Also keeps you skin a bit moist, so don't use too much. Only downside is that if it is very hot (30C and up), the baby oil seems to prevent you from sweating a bit on the covered areas of your skin.

------------------
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Mar 2001
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Kevin

The baby oil method certainly sounds interesting.

You will need to be careful with certain insect repellents, Some definetaly will damage fabriques and materials. The ones that we issued in the army would melt the plastic stock on your weapon!.

I have found autan very good when travelling, not sure what the consistency is on it though.

Have heard of some people using lavender oil to keep insects off. Make you smell nice too!

Keeping covered in the evenings also reduces that chance of being bitten.

Cheers

Julio
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Mar 2001
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Vigo, Spain
Posts: 69
I've had good results with something as widely available as Off! while at work photographing the rainforest, combined at night with one or two mosquito coils, although I'm not sure if these are available there. I am not fond of citronella-oil based products.

Whatever you choose, make sure you are very careful with your cameras or any other plastic gear, it DOES melt and make a fine mess. Check for a sweaty, sprayed brow before you put your camera to your face.

Also, make sure you spray your wrists and especially your ankles when you go to bed. I found these to be the most often-attacked spots, at least for us.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Mar 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cork,Ireland
Posts: 150
Hi I agree with Kevin's formula you can also use olive oil. I used to use this in NZ where there are terrible Sandflies and it works a treat DEET is also poisonous and i'm not sure i like to use it after a friend had his sunglasses melted by it!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Apr 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nantes, France
Posts: 391
In defence of Deet: people have been using it for ages and nothing all that serious has happened. The British consumer mag 'Which?' did a test of repellents (some poor researcher stuck his arm in a tank full of mozzies with various products in patches on it) and found the 95 per cent deet works best by far. But, then, they were unaware of the dettol/baby oil option...

------------------
Simon Kennedy
London-India on a 1993 Transalp
__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17 May 2001
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 16
Be cautious with DEET, especially with 100% DEET. DEET is a Neurotoxin. I developed a nasty case of Bells Palsy from accidentally getting a tiny amount on my lip. I used it the proper way, by putting only a small amount on my hands and around my neck etc. Unfortunatly, before I could wash my hands I wiped the back of my hand on my lips (spilled a few drops of ). Within two days I could not move the left side of my face, and could barely close my eye lids.

There have been many studies of severe side effects, even death, from use of this product. If you are going to use it, use a diluted version of it. 10% I think is what is recommended. Don't use a lot, try to use it on your cloths instead of your skin.

CT Bob
__________________
Bob L.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Jul 2001
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
I am back from Alaska. for bug stuff I used
Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus with sunblock spf 30. It worked great.
At the Fairbanks Alaska BMW shop the mosquitoes were very thick and the only place they got me was on my hands after I took my gloves off. I didn't put the cream on them.(AVON skin care company in the USA not the tire company)Also no DEET

[This message has been edited by John Ferris (edited 11 July 2001).]
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Jul 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 13
I can't wait to try the baby oil and dettol. I have been eaten alive since we ran out of 100% deet and have been searching for it everywhere (despite seeing it in action melting plasic, the bites are just getting to be too much), hopefully I will have some luck with this new mix. I have tried Off and Autan, Off cream has been the better of the 2, but still not so flash. For itchy bites, try using some vicks vaporub, it kind of gives it a nice burning sensation (better than the itching!) and also cools you down a bit.
I think the main problem with a lot of bug repellents is that you sweat it off in a short amount of time. Long tops haven't even worked so well as the hungry mossies in Palenque managed to bite thru them - we had to wear 2 layers, boy that was hot! I have read in some travel guides that treating your clothes and mosquito nets with permethrin is good, however I never found permethrin in the States before we left on our journey or in Mexico - is it a mythical substance??
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:40.