This is a hotly topical issue right now: how to protect yourself from mosquitoes? With the proliferation of tiger mosquitoes, past cases of chikungunya and now the Zika virus in addition to dengue fever, it is worth revisiting the fundamentals of mosquito protection — particularly when travelling to tropical regions and when hiking or trekking.
Serious cases are rare, but should not be taken lightly:
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes persistent fever and severe arthralgia (joint pain). Other symptoms include myalgia, headaches, nausea, fatigue and various skin rashes. There is no cure for this disease. Treatment is essentially symptomatic.
Dengue is a viral infection also transmitted by mosquitoes. This infection rapidly causes a flu-like syndrome and can occasionally progress to potentially life-threatening complications, known as severe or haemorrhagic dengue (more likely when dengue is contracted for the second time). The global incidence of dengue has increased dramatically over recent decades. It is now estimated that nearly half the world's population is at risk of dengue.
Dengue is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a predilection for urban and semi-urban areas.
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Those affected generally present with a mild fever, a skin rash (exanthem) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally disappear within 2 to 7 days. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine.
As we can see, mosquitoes and ticks can carry sometimes serious diseases. Few treatments exist in the event of infection, so the best form of prevention is to protect yourself effectively and proactively from mosquito bites.
It is simple and seems like common sense, but the first barrier against mosquitoes is clothing. The more skin you leave uncovered, the greater your chances of being bitten — that goes without saying! That said, it is difficult to be completely covered from head to toe, but it is a very useful precaution in high-risk countries and also during hiking in forests, for example, or at the times of day most conducive to mosquito activity.
Of course, nothing stops you from combining this natural, effective and effortless solution with the classic methods for maximum protection. It is up to you, depending perhaps on the level of risk and the intensity of the swarms of tiny predators!
In any case, this is a very practical and affordable form of protection (a lightweight premium on top of the price of standard clothing) that guarantees a minimum level of protection over time. If you head out for a hike, for example, and after a few hours your spray has worn off and you need to reapply it, you can rest assured that you are wearing at least one mosquito-repellent garment that will deter the boldest attackers and provide a first line of passive protection.
Of course, there is no need to fall into exaggerated paranoia, but protecting yourself from mosquitoes should not be taken lightly. Common-sense rules and the right tools are more than enough to ward off the majority of the threat. It is the minimum needed to preserve a little comfort and avoid spending an entire day or evening at the mercy of very unpleasant itching. With our advice and a good choice of travel clothing, for example, you can be almost certain to fully enjoy your hikes or your travels, even in the most exposed tropical countries.
What are the risks?
In 99% of cases, it has to be said that the nuisance caused by mosquitoes is limited to itching and redness. However, these are very unpleasant and each person reacts to them to varying degrees. In any case, they can ruin a few nights' sleep and cause persistent discomfort for several days.
Serious cases are rare, but should not be taken lightly:
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes persistent fever and severe arthralgia (joint pain). Other symptoms include myalgia, headaches, nausea, fatigue and various skin rashes. There is no cure for this disease. Treatment is essentially symptomatic.
Dengue is a viral infection also transmitted by mosquitoes. This infection rapidly causes a flu-like syndrome and can occasionally progress to potentially life-threatening complications, known as severe or haemorrhagic dengue (more likely when dengue is contracted for the second time). The global incidence of dengue has increased dramatically over recent decades. It is now estimated that nearly half the world's population is at risk of dengue.
Dengue is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a predilection for urban and semi-urban areas.
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Those affected generally present with a mild fever, a skin rash (exanthem) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally disappear within 2 to 7 days. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine.
As we can see, mosquitoes and ticks can carry sometimes serious diseases. Few treatments exist in the event of infection, so the best form of prevention is to protect yourself effectively and proactively from mosquito bites.
How to protect yourself from mosquitoes?
The first thing to do is avoid them! To maximise your chances of not encountering mosquitoes, stay away from anything damp: ponds, marshy ground, water catchments… in general, all stagnant water. Keep away from any containers holding stagnant or standing water that has been there for several days. Wear covering clothing that offers optimal protection — long sleeves on top and bottom, along with a pair of high socks, will provide optimal protection. Finally, to avoid them, you also need to know their schedules! In general, the peak presence of mosquitoes is in the early morning, just before sunrise, and in the evening after sunset. But the notorious tiger mosquitoes that carry viruses are also active during the day, so stay alert!
It is simple and seems like common sense, but the first barrier against mosquitoes is clothing. The more skin you leave uncovered, the greater your chances of being bitten — that goes without saying! That said, it is difficult to be completely covered from head to toe, but it is a very useful precaution in high-risk countries and also during hiking in forests, for example, or at the times of day most conducive to mosquito activity.
General tips
Wear light-coloured, covering clothing. Dark outfits, which absorb heat, attract mosquitoes very effectively. Shower after exercise, as perspiration is a very powerful attractant. Run a fan or air conditioning in equipped rooms — mosquitoes dislike both wind and cool air. Avoid perfumes and scented products that attract them. Use a mosquito net: you can find foldable, portable ones that transform into a kind of bell-shaped canopy you can place in your tent or over your bed. It is the best protection in tropical countries and nothing better has been invented since! If you have young children, it is essential equipment: repellents and insecticides are not suitable for babies. In risk areas, also fit mosquito nets to windows. This advice applies equally in the UK without any problem: you can find mosquito nets (a kind of lightweight curtain) that fit easily onto windows.Topical repellents
Topical repellents are often available in spray form — avoid spraying directly towards the eyes and mucous membranes — but formulations in cream or gel are also available. While the number of repellent brands and products is extensive, the active substances used are less varied. Products mainly rely on DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR 3535, icaridin, plant extracts, citronella or essential oils. The most effective products are DEET-based, at 30 or 50%. They are recommended in all areas where mosquitoes risk transmitting dengue, chikungunya or malaria. Manufacturers are often quite optimistic about protection duration, claiming 8 hours, sometimes more. In reality, it is always less, and varies according to the individual and context (rain, sweat…). When a product is effective, the average protection duration measured in laboratory tests is closer to 4 hours. In practice, a new coat should be applied as soon as you feel the mosquitoes closing in. Simple as that.Other products
Insecticides They are designed to kill mosquitoes, so they require suitable chemical compounds. They use active substances that are harmful to health, so use them sparingly. Aerosol sprays containing an insecticide from the pyrethroid family are remarkably effective. On the labels, in the composition section, these substances can be identified by their names ending in "thrin" (transfluthrin, tetramethrin…). In general, only use insecticide if you notice a mosquito invasion in the evening in a room left open. Do not use it to spray an entire house as a preventive measure. And above all, do not remain in the cloud for the 15 minutes following the spray. Electric diffusers that plug into a socket are sometimes effective, sometimes less so. This depends on their composition, even though all of them also use pyrethroids as an insecticidal substance. Burning coils containing a compound from the pyrethroid family are fairly effective, but they must be used exclusively outdoors and act within a radius of 1 m to 1.5 m maximum.Mosquito-repellent clothing
Finally, there is a solution that many people are still unaware of, and which is particularly well suited for travel, trekking, or hiking: these are mosquito-repellent clothing, particularly effective for protection against mosquitoes. Several types exist, but it is worth drawing your attention to an interesting and biologically sound innovation. Recently, a molecule — chitin, naturally secreted by crustaceans — has been used as a natural mosquito repellent. All kinds of travel clothing are impregnated with it: shorts, trousers, shirts, short-sleeved shirts… Not only is it a natural product, but it is also odourless, has no effect on human skin, and requires no effort. No more needing to remember to apply lotion or worrying about forgetting your spray back at the hotel room. Simply put on your mosquito-repellent clothing in the morning and you are protected. Your protection is active instantly and with no time limit. It is a highly effective first line of defence against these tiny creatures. Moreover, nothing about these garments reveals that they have built-in protection: no odour, no substance, no colour. Invisible protection, in short!
Of course, nothing stops you from combining this natural, effective and effortless solution with the classic methods for maximum protection. It is up to you, depending perhaps on the level of risk and the intensity of the swarms of tiny predators!
In any case, this is a very practical and affordable form of protection (a lightweight premium on top of the price of standard clothing) that guarantees a minimum level of protection over time. If you head out for a hike, for example, and after a few hours your spray has worn off and you need to reapply it, you can rest assured that you are wearing at least one mosquito-repellent garment that will deter the boldest attackers and provide a first line of passive protection.
Of course, there is no need to fall into exaggerated paranoia, but protecting yourself from mosquitoes should not be taken lightly. Common-sense rules and the right tools are more than enough to ward off the majority of the threat. It is the minimum needed to preserve a little comfort and avoid spending an entire day or evening at the mercy of very unpleasant itching. With our advice and a good choice of travel clothing, for example, you can be almost certain to fully enjoy your hikes or your travels, even in the most exposed tropical countries.
