Insect repellent or not?

[billethkid]

With the advent of the latest scare, Zika, I thought it could be useful to hear others opinions regarding care when travelling to areas known to have the problem/mosquito.

I am one of those that is a bug magnet. If there are 100 folks in an area and only one mosquito I will be the one it bites!!
In addition I have a more reactive immune system that borders behaving like an allergy. I get much bigger and longer lasting bite welts.

We will be cruising the Caribbean and Panama Canal and are contemplating getting some protection.

Deet? Or no deet?
lotion?
Spray?

Having not used anything before my preference would most likely be a lotion product. Non greasy if at all possible.

There seems to be as many products available with deet as there are deet substitutes. Supposedly deet is the most effective.

I look forward to being educated by those with experience with these products.

[Carl in Tampa]

In Alaska in the summertime up near Mt. McKinley, the mosquitoes were large and aggressive. We found success with spray on repellent containing DEET. Other people, using other combinations, were less successful.

An alternative is AVON Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard. Years ago Avon discovered that people were using their skin softener as mosquito repellent, so they added some additional chemicals to make it more effective, and now sell it as a repellent.

[gomoho]

I do know the folks in Puerto Rico are being encouraged to use DEET. I would definitely go with that for ultimate protection.

[Sandtrap328]

The only time you will need insect repellent is if you go on an excursion in rain forests. I just returned from a Caribbean cruise and did a rain forest hike on St. Lucia. I forgot to put on insect repellent and did get quite a few mosquito bites.

Best kind in my view is Deep Woods Off. It has extra DEET and is highly effective. The spray is easiest.

The Avon Skin So Soft is worthless on tropical mosquitoes.

No need for repellent on the ship, in towns, or at the beaches.

Have fun! :BigApplause:

[Ecuadog]

From Consumer Reports:

The World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of the Zika virus—which has been linked to serious birth defects and is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes—an international public health emergency. In response to this growing threat, Consumer Reports is releasing free to the public its exclusive test results and Ratings of mosquito repellents (download a PDF of the Ratings)—including those that will protect you best against Aedes mosquitoes, the type that carry Zika.

Click for February ratings (http://www.consumerreports.org/content/dam/cro/news_articles/health/Consumer-Reports-Insect-Repellent-Ratings-February-2016.pdf).

In the latest ratings, Ben's 30% Deet Tick & Insect Wilderness Formula comes in second with a 93 overall score. Sawyer Picaridin 20% is still number one with a 96.