biting insects

Can anyone suggest how to avoid being bitten by insects? I have been bitten comprehensively on my bare legs, face, neck, thighs, between my legs right up to my b*m. I was clearing ground and pruning raspberry canes and there was a host of tiny white insects. All the bites have become swollen, red and feverish. In future I will go out clad in trousers and tights but can anyone suggest a cream which will deter such insects?

 

floris,I always crush lavender or mint leaves in my hands and rub over unprotected parts. Did this as a kid when at play or forced labour in the veg patch. Seems to work for me still.

 

Floris
Although I haven't tried it myself, a recent and now very popular midge repellent up here in the Highlands is Avon Skin-so-Soft moisturiser spray ! May sound strange but an old garden centre owner I know swears it does the trick, and it was issued to the Highland Regiment too - so if it can keep the notorious Highland Midge at bay, it should keep everything else away too.
Rat

 

I would go with the prophylactic suggests made - good ones - but a thing I have found very helpful, when forgetfully brushing against stinging nettles or disturbing red ants - is "bite eze" painted on the site. Irritation settles very quickly

 

Thanks Paladin, Sewer Rat and Fran for your helpful suggestions. The after effects, eg the itching and nausea, seem to last a long time. I shall just have to be more prepared when doing garden maintenance. Thanks again for your quick response.

 

Has each bite formed a tiny scab on top of a very swollen red area?

If so I had the same problem and ended up in discussion firstly with a Dr at the Liverpool hospital for tropical diseases who put me in touch with a professor at the Natural History Museum. He studies black flies known as simulids. (Isn't the internet wonderful).

I have met a number of people who were affected in Kent, and he was telling me about an outbreak in a park in Brum. My feet swelled up like cabbage club root and I couldn't drive for a week.

The treatment is just the usual antihistamin cream.

 

Rich - Have just read your post of 10 Oct and to answer your query, the bites resulted in swollen areas without scabs; also other large (red)areas which itched like mad when showering. I will have to get an antihistamin cream for next time. I am sorry to hear of your symptoms. I also had swollen legs in an earlier episode (for which my doctor prescribed an antihistamin but I neglected to get it). This time it was mainly difficulty in standing up when rising from bed and after sitting down. I think the bites affect the muscles of the legs.