Changing our world one head at a time!

Mosquitos and other bothersome things that like my shiny pate...

I was in the backyard digging a hole in very hot, damp, weather, and I kind of forgot to put mosquito repellent on my head and face. Of course, I got eaten alive. I'm one of those people that acts as a mosquito magnet.

To top it off, I almost always have a strong reaction to mosquito bites, so I end up with a lumpy head (and some bites on my face). Not having hair means I don't get the early warning that micro-Dracula is landing for a feast!

I don't like putting chemicals on my head, the skin there has toughened up over the years but it still has a tendency to peel or flake if I use strong soaps or any chemicals on it.

What does everybody do to combat this when going au nauturel up top? Any favorite types of repellent?

Tags: bites, bug, mosquito, repellent

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kristen Ridenhour on July 4, 2008 at 10:03am: I don't have a favorite type of repellent, mainly because I'm too lazy to use it. I know what you mean about being eaten alive. I was mowing the lawn one time last year and somehow ended up with about 10 mosquito bites on my head. I was wearing a bandana too! Sorry this isn't helpful, but just thought I'd share my similar story...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn on July 4, 2008 at 7:21pm: Have you tried wearing a bandana or a hat outside? This may help. You can try by making your own Herbal Insect Repellent Oil.
1 part fresh Pennyroyal
1 part fresh Thyme
1/2 part fresh Basil
1/2 part Neem leaf (if available)
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Citronella Essential Oil
l Olive Oil
Pick your fresh Herbs. Manually; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn on July 4, 2008 at 7:32pm: Here are four easier recipes. I do know that using the Eucalyptus or the Lemon Balm work:
I haven't tried it with thyme or lavender but I have heard it works too.
20 drops of Lemon drop essential oil OR 20 drops of Thyme essential oil OR 20 drops Lavender essentail oil OR 20 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
2 TBSP olive or vegetable oil
1 TBSP aloe vera gel

Mix this and shake in a glass jar. Put a few drops on your skin and clothing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tamgirl on July 6, 2008 at 8:11am: This year mosquito's wants me to be their source of feeding to.
I use the chemical jungle stuff on my head. They dont like my face though, just going after my head and make me look Dracula too.
Untill now my head can take the chemical stuff but i am sure going to try the herbal combination of Dawn and try the lavender.
Eucalyptus is always trigging me to sneeze non stop so that wont work either.. haha

by the way, tea tree oil is really nice stuff when you already are bitten.
I put it on the spots and first it will start itching real bad but bare it for 10 min and after that it will reduce and the lumps will decrease within an hour to. So thats how i try to keep my dracula look down..

good luck; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kastababy on July 6, 2008 at 11:30pm: Skin So Soft, Skin So Soft, Skin So Soft!!!

That stuff is so good I put it on my dog every day when he goes outside so he doesn't get mosquito and bug bites too!

When you can't get your local Avon lady to bring you some though, the Off Deep Woods -- Sportsman (in the blue can) works real good too -- that stuff is made for hunters and folks who spend a lot of time outside and are more prone to bug bites.

To put it on your head and minimize reactions, just spray the Off into your hands and put it on sparingly -- and when you come in for the day wash the applied areas real good with soap and water.

Hope that helps!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on July 7, 2008 at 11:28am: Personally I won't put anything on my head that could eventually run into my eyes. The best way I've found to combat the little buggers is to wear a scarf. I wear a really light one and it keeps my ears covered as well as my entire head (including the forehead) and the back of my neck. Our friend's farm is teeming with mosquitos and black flies and no chemical I've seen comes close to chasing them away!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Squonk on July 7, 2008 at 10:05pm: I have to agree about the getting in the eyes thing. That's more than annoying, it's downright dangerous (think operating a vehicle/lawn tractor/etc).

Skin So Soft has never worked for me. My mosquito attracting abilities are almost superhuman! :-P I do usually use Off, a problem is that I sweat it all away in ~5-10 minutes sometimes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jack McCluer (JAX) on July 10, 2008 at 10:16pm: LOL I read this after I went for a walk through my little farm town the other day. I was bitten atleast 4 times by 3 mosquitos and a horse fly ( I think it was a horse fly). I was bit all 4 times on my dome. I should have sprayed my head with some repellant but I hate the smell of it. We have had an oddly high amount of rain this year so the mosquitos are out in full force. I was told along time ago if you eat alot of bananas that it would keep the mosquitos from biting you. I have never tried it but that is what I was told. I was also told that letting a cow lick your head will cause your hair to grow. I think that was just my grandfather wanting to see me let a cow lick my head. Silly man :-). Deep Woods Off repellant is excellent but it stinks. My kids and I use it on our adventures in the swamps and end up with VERY minimal bites from any types of bugs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on July 12, 2008 at 4:12pm: I just had to reply to the cow licking your head thing. My cat is weird and she likes to lay on my back when I lay on my stomach and she'll lick the back of my head where - ironically - my hair is growing back in??? Hmmm? LOL

A tip from a good friend of mine: rub a fabric softener sheet on your head before you head out or wear under your hat. I haven't tried it but she swears by it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jack McCluer (JAX) on July 12, 2008 at 10:15pm: HMMMMM Maybe I should get a cat lol. I was told about the fabric softener sheet too but never tried it. Maybe there is something to it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony on July 15, 2008 at 6:53am: Wish I would have read this earlier. The deer flies were relentless yesterday as I tried to cut the grass. Wonder what my head will look like once the bites start to swell?

Must be a cat thing...the cat likes to sit on the top of the couch and lick my head too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on July 16, 2008 at 10:26am: Just curious Tony, is any hair growing where the cat licks you? I wouldn't worry about the swelling too much, I've noticed that's where I get the least swelling from a bite but it'll still itch :(; ▶ Reply to This