Insect bites or allergy?

KStaford

Been doing a bit of training on the bike these summer evenings. I wear cycle shorts so lower legs bare. Over the past few nights I have many red raw hives on my shins. Are these from insect / midge bites or is it an allergy to some weed in the ditch?
If its midge or insects how come its not on my arms, face etc?

I'd upload a photo but it might gross you out :eek::cool:

lukester

KStaford wrote: »

Been doing a bit of training on the bike these summer evenings. I wear cycle shorts so lower legs bare. Over the past few nights I have many red raw hives on my shins. Are these from insect / midge bites or is it an allergy to some weed in the ditch?
If its midge or insects how come its not on my arms, face etc?

I'd upload a photo but it might gross you out :eek::cool:

Midges, I'd wager.

They bite my legs too, sometimes my arms, not my face usually. They like swarming on hills where you can't escape, feckers.

Colmhayden76

Get your self to the pharmacy and get some Antisan cream. It's gods gift to midgie bites!!

I used to work in an adventure centre in Kerry which is the world capital for Midgie swarms and bites appear diferant on the body the legs are these massive ugly things while the arms are a little smaller I was told that this is due to the closeness of the bones to the skin.
Its only females that bite they need an enzime from blood to harden their eggs.They are actually attracted to co2 from breathing and also sweat hence the fact your legs get it. They fly out of the ditch and hit your legs for a wee drink. Damn women:D

KStaford

Colm

Is antisan a deterrant to the midge or a treatment for the bite?

ROK ON

Have them too, its midges alright.

Coming back from a spin on Monday night, I realised at the bottom of a hill that my legs were covered in midges that stuck to my suncream on the descent.

thebouldwhacker

Colmhayden76 wrote: »

Kerry which is the world capital for Midgie swarms

+1

I stopped off in the Killarney national park at sunset the other night. I walked up the knol by ladies view a few meters from the car and had to run back to it. There were so many of them! It felt like someone threw sand at me! One quick retreat to the car but they still bit the bejesus outa me. mofo's:mad:

Lumen

+ =

KStaford

Yeah that DEET is nasty stuff. I spent summer 2006 in Alaska where the mozzies are a serious problem. I arrived with my cans of Deet but the locals told me they never use it near their skin, they either put it on clothing (baseball caps) or just wear netting.

CheGuedara

I'm in the TMC back home when I'm not on a bike and yeah, we've some midges of the rabid, sabre-tooth variety alright.

One of the better repellents I've used climbing and hiking where you're a slow moving meal is one of the Jungle Formula ones. I'm not sure how good it'll be on a bike with sweating and that but it does work, although if you find yourself in a swarm all you can do really is try to get outta dodge...

ROK ON

CheGuedara wrote: »

One of the better repellents I've used climbing and hiking where you're a slow moving meal is one of the Jungle Formula ones.
.

If this is the one in the orange/yellow bottle, then it can be hit and miss. I have used it several times in Thailand with great success, whereas my wife has used it and been devoured by mossies.

Colmhayden76

That read and yellow stuff is altan and it's not that good best results I have had is with stuff called mosi gaurd natural. It has no chemicals in it and actually smells of lemon. It comes in a roll on which I think is the handiest form. Only thing is that it dosn't last too long when you sweat.
Here's a good one from when I was in the millitary, get an old pair of thights and wear them over your face !!! Great for Ninja Cycling.
' hey look at the freak in bright lycra and a pair of tights over his head':D:D
Had that human fly paper scenario over the week end as well. Not nice!

Colmhayden76

KStaford wrote: »

Colm

Is antisan a deterrant to the midge or a treatment for the bite?

Sorry I forgot to say that the anthisan is a treatment for bites, stings and nettle rash.

Every house should have a tube of it it's great!