Health encyclopaedia

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Prevention of Bites, insect

There are precautions you can take to avoid being bitten by insects.

Seek medical advice before travelling to a tropical area where malaria is present (see malaria). Make sure your accommodation has insect-proof screen doors and closing windows. Sleep under a mosquito net and spray the rooms with insecticide.

In the UK, take precautions when you are outdoors in the summer. Early morning, evening and at night is the mosquito’s preferred feeding time, and the middle of the day is the Blandford fly’s preferred feeding time.

Wear insect repellent on your skin and clothes and cover your skin as much as possible by wearing trousers and tops with long sleeves. Avoid wearing perfume and scented body lotion. 

Try to avoid camping near water, such as ponds and swamps where insects such as mosquitoes and horseflies are commonly found.

To avoid fleas in the home, get your pets regularly treated.

To avoid bedbugs, wash bedding regularly at a high temperature and replace old mattresses and pillows regularly.

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