Re: Insect Repellent: Which one??
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Wed, 19 Jun 1996 15:50:37 -0600
The vitamin in question is B-6. This came out a number of years ago in
some literature as being effective, but required rather large doses which
are excreted through perspiration and urine, since it is a water-soluble
vitamin. I have heard both pros and cons on whether it is really
effective. Some have reported that in areas where mosquitoes grow to
"small bird size" that it doesn't work so well, but then not much does.
It is probably not harmful to take large doses of vitmin B-6, since excess
quantities are excreted in the urine, but it would definitely be in your
best interests to discuss it with your physician before doing so to be
sure! Some vitamins such as A and D and E are fat soluble and are
absorbed in tissues; excess residuals of these can actually be toxic!
Again, the "proof" is in trial, so all you can do is start taking the
vitamin before your trip for a while to build up a "residual" and then
when you go on your trip, see if it works.
I sure would take along some insect-repellent containing DEET or
equivalent just in case it doesn't work, unless you feel like being a
"smorgasbord" for the critters.
Bob Amick, EMT-B, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72,
Boulder, CO
On Tue, 18 Jun 1996, E Holm wrote:
> Although insect repellants are good for temporary use, I don't like using
> them much, just look at my legs after a weekend at camp and big blood
> sucking mosqitoes :-( Anyways, I have heard that if you start early enough
> (like 2-4 weeks), one of the B vitamins will act as a natural bug repellant
> somehow. Is this true? If it is, does anyone on the list know which B
> vitamin (or other vitamin) does this wonderful trick.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
