Summer has arrived, and with it the well-known nuisance - the mosquitoes, or rather the mosquitoes, whose bites can drive an average person crazy for whole days, not to mention the children of that average person.
We looked for solutions to both the nuisance itself and the bites, and found that quite a few things had resurfaced in the field.
But let's start from the beginning - neutralize the mosquitoes.
Most often, the various municipalities carry out general spraying in early spring in all public areas, and if there are open water reservoirs in the public space, you can call the 106 hotline - and the municipality will come to dry them.
When it comes to private space, the property owner should take care of spraying independently.
Bracelet with aromatic oil table, Life, Photo: Super-Pharm PR
Who is more attractive?
Prof. Arnon Cohen, a dermatologist at Clalit Health Insurance Fund, says that some people are more sensitive to bites: "Studies have found that specific characteristics of certain people cause hypersensitivity to mosquito bites."
Professor Amnon Cohen, Photo: Yuval Chen
He adds that during the summer season there are many visits from patients who come to the clinic following the bites: "There is swelling, redness and pain in the bite area," he details.
"Preventive care is very important, but it is difficult to apply because it includes long clothes, insect repellent and mosquito repellent - if you sleep outside. "A parasite called leishmaniasis that can cause a skin disease known as the Jericho rose, which is also expressed in wounds that can sometimes take half a year to a year to heal."
Sefirah, Antosh, Photo: Omar Dan
The market offers a large variety of products. How effective are they?
"These are chemical products, and as long as they are approved by the Ministry of Health they are fine. I would not apply a product sold by express owners - there are many preparations that are said to have caused problems. I must point out that there is no guarantee of efficacy. It is not like a drug." "No clinical trials have been conducted on these products. All of these products are certified as non-toxic, but that does not mean they are more effective than others. Therefore, I do not see an advantage to a very expensive product, because it is not sure it is better than others."
Can applying a preparation prevent bites for sure?
"Repelling mosquitoes is not absolute. Applying the product will not necessarily completely prevent bites, but it can reduce their number."
Rumor has it that there are people whose blood is more attractive to mosquitoes - and this may depend on several factors.
We checked with Prof. Cohen: "Some people have a profile that attracts mosquitoes," he replies, "Possible factors for this are blood type, metabolic rate, hormonal profile, body temperature, clothing types and even clothing color.
It is not clear whether nutrients affect the attractiveness of the human body to mosquitoes, but one study found that eating bananas may increase the attraction of certain Anopheles mosquitoes to that person. "
Mosquito bracelet, ricochet, PARAKITO, Photo: Erez Eisen
What is the best sedative after we have been stung?
"It is best and simple to take a towel with lukewarm water and place it on the swelling. If the swelling is significant - there are prescription drugs like penicillin in syrup or steroids, depending on the severity of the condition. You should start putting on compresses every 15 minutes, especially if it is inside. In particular, it is recommended to see a doctor, because it can cause a secondary infection. "
Naturopath Moran Strum recommends some natural tricks that can help prevent bites.
"Turn on a fan in the house and in the garden regardless of the air conditioner," she explains, "this will make it difficult for the female mosquito to sting. "Causes the same phenomenon, so they preferred to exercise in the morning. In addition, lactic acid attracts mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are attracted to a darker color, so they preferred light clothes. And finally, the mosquito females smell blood - scratching a sting will invite another bite."
Citronella Stickers, Life, Photo: Super-Pharm PR
Mosquito innovations
In the Super-Pharm chain, you can find Life's Citronella stickers for children for sticking on clothes, a bracelet with an aromatic oil tablet from natural materials, clips with an aromatic oil tablet and a mosquito killer - all at prices ranging from NIS 24 to NIS 30, and a portable mosquito and mosquito catcher with USB connection At NIS 69.
Uzi Wiesinger, general trade manager at Super-Pharm, says that there has been a significant increase in purchases of products in this category after the corona.
"Since the beginning of the year, we have seen a 13.5% increase in sales in the mosquito products category compared to 2021. One possible reason for this is a return to travel, trips and vacations after the corona and closures. More significant growth in the category water".
Citronella Candle, "Boys of Light", Photo: Molly Goldberg
The new products of the "Sefirah" brand include Sefirah Antosh, Mosquito Repellent Spray with a gentle fragrance, and Sefirah Antosh, which contains aloe vera to soothe the skin.
Among the old and well-known products you can find those of Snow, which include the Snow Di series!
Based on lemon eucalyptus, with an active ingredient from a natural source - including a spray bottle in a glass bottle with a spray spray for controlled spraying, roll-on packaging, and roll-on with aloe vera and lotion for babies and children, suitable for particularly delicate skin.
There is also an lotion that contains mosquito repellent from a natural source in roll-on and cream packages.
Price: 34-28 shekels.
Organiczon offers a citronella candle for repelling mosquitoes and flies, which costs NIS 19.90.
The "Boys of Light" project, a social business for at-risk youth, also offers a collection of candles and citronella torches made by boys and girls, which include a lid for easy extinguishing.
A package containing pottery and three citronella torches costs NIS 159, and can be obtained at the Light Boys' Herbal Farm store in Rishpon and at the "Boys of Light" website.
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