Insect and tick bite avoidance

Key messages

• Insect bites are relatively common in travellers, usually causing only minor irritation, but occasionally may cause more significant problems such as allergic reactions, secondary skin infections or transmission of infectious disease such as malaria, yellow fever, and Zika.

• For many vector-borne diseases, avoiding insect bites is the only means of prevention. Where vaccines or malaria tablets are recommended, travellers should seek a pre travel appointment with their health care provider.

• Travellers should pack appropriate equipment for their destination; this may include protective clothing, insect repellents, mosquito nets, fine tipped tweezers and a first aid kit.

• Many factors will affect the longevity of a repellent before reapplication is required. It is important to choose an effective active ingredient and reapply as soon as mosquitoes begin to take an interest (see below).

• Travellers with a high fever of 38°C or more or other worrying symptoms should seek prompt medical advice. Malaria symptoms may occur up to a year after travel.

Overview

Insect and tick bites are relatively common in travellers, usually causing only minor irritation. However, bites can result in local skin trauma, allergic reactions (ranging from small local reactions to life-threatening systemic reactions), secondary skin infections or transmission of infectious disease (vector-borne diseases) 

Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17 percent of all infectious diseases. Every year diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis cause more than 700,000 deaths globally.

The highest burden of disease occurs in tropical and subtropical areas where the poorest populations are disproportionately affected.

Vaccines or medications are available to help prevent a number of these diseases, but for many, bite avoidance is the only way to prevent infection.

Insect bites and stings

Arthropods include insects such as mosquitoes, gnats and flies and arachnids, such as spiders, mites and ticks [3]. The term ‘insect’ will be used here to include both insects and arachnids.

Insect bites or stings generally occur as a result of insect feeding (e.g. mosquitoes, bed bugs) or defence (e.g. bee and wasp stings or spider bites) and can range from being immediately painful to completely unfelt.

When an insect bites, substances such as anticoagulants (to prevent blood clotting) and vasodilators (to open blood vessels) are injected to ensure a flow of blood. These substances can lead to local skin or systemic reactions.

Bees, wasps and hornets are stinging insects and inject venom into the skin. Stings are usually painful immediately and the venom may cause reactions ranging from mild localised pain to severe systemic reactions including anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction). In the UK, insect stings are the second most common cause of anaphylaxis outside of medical settings.

Insect vectors and diseases they transmit

Mosquitoes

The female mosquito requires a blood meal to reproduce. There are many species of mosquitoes, some bite during daylight hours (e.g. Aedes spp) and others are more active from dusk to dawn (e.g. Anopheles spp). The biting times of some mosquitoes can vary within the same species (e.g. Anopheles mosquitoes which transmit malaria).

Mosquitoes are attracted by several factors, including the presence of carbon dioxide (from skin and breath), heat (from skin), odours (including fragrances from perfumes and soaps), lactic acid and movement; some individuals may also be more attractive to mosquitoes than others.

Ticks

Ticks typically live on the ground in long grassy areas and usually feed on small mammals. They become attached to humans after brushing against grass, after which they crawl on skin or clothing until they find a suitable place to attach and feed, often at a skin fold in the groin, under the arm, at the scalp line or at the edge of underclothes. The bite is generally painless [8]. As prompt removal of ticks may prevent transmission of some infectious diseases, it is important to check for ticks on the body after outdoor activities.

Bed bugs

There has been a resurgence of bed bug infestations in recent years; there is no evidence that they transmit disease-causing pathogens. There are few published studies investigating the role of insect repellents in protecting against bed bug bites.

Travellers should be encouraged to inspect their sleeping accommodation for bed bugs on mattresses and bedding, which might present as blood spotting on linens; keep suitcases or rucksacks off the floor when not in use and inspect clothing before replacing them in luggage.

Risk for travellers

The risk of insect bites, and possible vector-borne disease, to the traveller will depend on exposure to insects. This will be determined by destination, season and rainfall patterns, as well as activities undertaken, length of stay and measures taken to avoid insect bites. 

Vaccines and tablets are available to help protect against some of the diseases, but may not be suitable for all travellers, placing them at higher risk of disease. Avoiding bites from insects and ticks may be the only way to reduce the risk of disease.

Before travel

Travellers should research their destination to determine possible risks for vector-borne diseases (see the Country Information pages). Vaccinations and/or malaria tablets may be recommended, in which case a pre-travel appointment should be booked with a health care provider ideally four to six weeks before departure. Although last-minute advice is still useful if time is short.

Travellers should consider if they need to pack protective clothing, insect repellents, insecticide treated bed/cot nets, plug-in insecticides and a first aid kit with items to manage insect bites, for example fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks, painkillers and antihistamine to reduce itching.

During travel

Travellers should be advised to protect themselves against insect and tick bites possibly both day and night depending on the vector and risk of disease at destination. A combination of the measures listed below is considered the most effective way to prevent bites.

Key points to reduce insect and tick bites:

• Avoid areas of stagnant or standing water, where mosquitoes are likely to breed.
• Keep to footpaths and avoid long grass when walking to avoid tick bites.
• Check body for ticks after outdoor activity and remove them promptly (see below).
• Wear loose-fitting clothing, with long sleeves, long trousers, tucked into socks.
• Light coloured clothing will help see ticks and other insects, avoid dark blue clothing where tsetse fly is present . There is no evidence that the colour of clothing is relevant to mosquitoes.
• Clothing can be sprayed or impregnated with insecticide (e.g. permethrin) or purchased pre-treated to reduce biting through clothing. These treatments can provide a high level of bite prevention. Alternatively DEET based repellents can be applied to natural fibres such as cotton, but may damage synthetic fabrics including items like plastic watch jewellery.
• Use insect repellents on exposed skin (even if clothing has been treated): DEET based repellents are considered the most effective currently available. If DEET is not tolerated (or is not available), an alternative preparation should be used (see below).
• In areas with vector-borne diseases, use air conditioning where available or sleep in screened accommodation, under a mosquito net impregnated with insecticide.
• Insecticide vaporisers can be used to inhibit mosquito bites and mosquito coils can be used outdoors (they are not recommended indoors).
• For those staying long-term in areas with vector-borne diseases it is possible to reduce mosquito breeding sites around the home by removing any pools of water in ditches, plant pots, gutters, drains and rubbish collected in the area.

Insect repellents

DEET

DEET (N, N–diethyl-m-toluamide) has been used as an insect repellent for more than 50 years. A number of studies have concluded that the risks of adverse effects from DEET are low for all groups, including infants and children as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, when applied according to the product instructions.

Repellent containing DEET, at 50 percent concentration, is recommended for all travellers over 2 months provided it can be tolerated [6]. There is no further increase in duration of protection beyond a concentration of 50 percent.

The interval between re-application of repellent will depend on the DEET formulation and concentration used. In practice, travellers apply around half of the amount at which a product has been tested, therefore more frequent application will be required. Repellents may also need to be reapplied more regularly, for example after swimming and in hot, humid conditions when they may be removed by perspiration. As a guide, travellers should reapply repellents when the mosquitoes begin to ‘take an interest’, to ensure that they do not bite.

DEET and sunscreen

Several studies have shown that DEET decreases the protection of SPF 15 sunscreen, although there is no evidence that sunscreen reduces the efficacy of DEET when used at concentrations above 33 percent [6]. When both are required, DEET should be applied after the sunscreen, and 30 to 50 SPF sunscreen should be used to compensate for the reduction in SPF induced by DEET.

Alternatives to DEET

If DEET is not tolerated (or unavailable), and travellers are visiting areas where malaria or other vector-borne diseases are present, a repellent containing one of the following three active ingredients repellents should be used as an alternative, at the highest strength available.

Icaridin (Picaridin)

Icaridin has repellent properties similar to DEET with a comparable duration of protection when both are used at 20 percent. If used for mosquito bite prevention against malaria, at least a 20 percent preparation is advised [6].

Eucalyptus citriodora oil, hydrated, cyclized.

This active ingredient provides effective protection for several hours and was previously known as p-menthane 3,8 diol or PMD. However, the duration of protection is shorter than DEET so more frequent application is required. Care should be taken when applying as accidental application to the eyes can result in damage.

3-ethlyaminopropionate (IR3535)

3-ethlyaminopropionate (IR3535) has a shorter duration of protection against Anopheles mosquitoes than DEET, and so more frequent application is required, but it is still an effective repellent. Care should be taken when applying as accidental application to the eyes can result in damage.

Use of insect repellents in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Avoidance of mosquito bites is extremely important in pregnancy as pregnant women are particularly attractive to mosquitoes.

The use of 20 percent DEET during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy was not associated with adverse effects on the infants in pregnancies followed for up to 12 months after birth . Because malaria is a serious disease in pregnancy, DEET based repellents in concentrations up to 50 percent are recommended for all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy, travelling to areas where malaria or other insect-borne diseases are a risk.

Icaridin and eucalyptus citriodora oil are alternatives to DEET. However, there is no data concerning exposure in human pregnancy, although animal studies have not demonstrated any features of maternal or developmental toxicity.

DEET may also be used in concentrations up to 50 percent in breastfeeding. Nursing mothers should wash repellents off their hands and breast skin before handling infants.

Use of insect repellents in infants

Recommendations on the use of DEET in young children vary between countries. According to UK Health Security Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (ACMP) DEET may be used at a concentration of up to 50 percent in infants and children aged over 2 months. If a particular DEET manufacturer’s product information recommends a higher age cut off for use in children, the ACMP guidance should be followed. DEET is not recommended for infants under 2 months of age. Instructions on application should be followed. Infants under 2 months should be protected with protective clothing and insecticide treated nets draped over cots and prams secured around the edges to avoid gaps.

Children should not be allowed to handle repellents as they may inadvertently ingest them or get them in their eyes. Adults should apply repellent to their own hands, then onto the child’s skin, and avoid applying to children’s hands .

How to use insect repellents safely :

• Use on exposed skin only, not under clothing.
• Do not use over cuts, irritated or inflamed skin.
• Do not apply directly to the face – apply repellent to hands, then to the face to avoid contact with lips and eyes. Wash hands after application.
• Do not apply to children’s hands.
• Apply and re-apply repellents according to manufacturers’ instructions.
• Remove with soap and water when repellent is no longer needed.
• Ensure repellents are not ingested or inhaled.
• DEET can be used in concentrations of up to 50 percent in pregnant and breastfeeding women, and in infants and children older than 2 months (unless allergic).
• When sunscreen and DEET are needed, DEET should be applied after sunscreen (use 30 – 50 SPF sunscreen to compensate for reduction in SPF induced by DEET).
• DEET may damage plastics and artificial fibres so care is needed to avoid contact. DEET does not damage natural fibres such as wool, linen or cotton.
• Picardin, eucalyptus citriodora oil or ethlyaminopropionate based repellents are available for those who prefer not to use DEET-based products. Picardin should be used in concentrations of at least 20 percent.

Mosquito nets

All travellers to malaria-endemic areas should sleep under a mosquito net to avoid being bitten, unless the room is well screened or with working air-conditioning where mosquitoes cannot enter. Most nets now available are long-lasting impregnated nets, which have an expected useful life of at least 3 years. Nets other than long-lasting nets will need to be impregnated with insecticide (e.g. permethrin) every 6 to 12 months to remain effective, depending on the frequency of washing. The product instructions should always be followed.

Mesh size in mosquito bed nets should be no larger than 1.5 mm and nets should be free from tears and tucked in under the mattress, so they are taut. It may be useful for travellers to carry a small sewing kit so that repairs can be made if the net develops a hole. Extra equipment for hanging the net can be helpful including extra string or wire hooks.

Room protection (including air conditioning and screening)

Doors and windows to sleeping accommodation should be screened with fine mesh.

Air conditioning reduces night-time temperature and increases air flow in a building and therefore reduces the likelihood of mosquito bites. Ceiling fans reduce the nuisance from mosquitoes .

There is evidence that insecticide vaporisers inhibit mosquito bites and cause mosquito repellence and knockdown.

A systemic review demonstrated that mosquito coils can decrease bites by repelling and killing mosquitoes. Coils, which contain synthetic insecticide, may be useful for some travellers but they should only be used outdoors.

Room protection is important in malaria prevention but should not be used in isolation.

Measures not recommended for repelling insects 

There is no evidence that any of the following products, have repellent effect on mosquitoes :

• Garlic
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B12
• Yeast extract (e.g. Marmite)
• Electronic buzzers
• Mobile phone apps
• Tea tree oil or proprietary bath oils/emollients
• Alcohol/tonic water
• Homeopathy/herbal remedies
• Citronella oil-based repellents due to their short duration of action; they have been withdrawn in Europe.

Management of insect and tick bites

In addition to transmission of infectious diseases, complications from insect bites and stings include local skin trauma, allergic reactions and secondary bacterial infection.

Reactions from most insect bites or stings will resolve within hours or days. The site should be cleaned with soap and water. Application of a cold compress (if available) to the bite site may provide relief from pain or itching [3, 16]. The pack should have a cloth barrier between the ice and skin to prevent local tissue damage. Applying the ice pack on and off at 15-minute intervals is a common regimen .

Mosquito bites should not be scratched and should be kept clean and dry to avoid infection. Antiseptic and basic wound dressings can be helpful if the bite is causing irritation and likely to become infected.

Following an insect sting, if the stinger is still visible in the skin, this should be removed as quickly as possible by scraping sideways with a fingernail or piece of card.

Oral analgesics (e.g. paracetamol and ibuprofen) are often recommended to ease pain, although there is a lack of evidence to support these treatments. Itching may be reduced by taking antihistamine tablets or the topical application of a mild steroid cream, although good quality evidence to support their use is lacking].

Ticks need to be removed from the skin very carefully. This can be done with fine tipped tweezers or specially designed tick removers.

The tick should be grasped as close to the skin surface as possible and pulled steadily upwards, taking care not to crush the tick’s body or squeeze the stomach contents into the site of the bite. After removing the tick, the bite area should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water, or iodine/antiseptic if available. If tick mouthparts are not fully removed, persistent nodules (small lumps) can develop.

The tick should not be covered with solutions such as nail varnish or petroleum jelly and heat should not be used for tick removal.

How to remove a tick

After travel

Those with a fever (38°C or more) or other worrying symptoms after travel should seek prompt medical help. Malaria symptoms can appear up to a year after travel.

If a rash or fever develops within several weeks of removing a tick, medical attention should be sought, providing details of the recent tick bite, including when and where the bite occurred.

Insect bites can sometimes become infected, become swollen, painful and red with pus where the bite occurred. Travellers should contact their GP if they are concerned about the symptoms; antibiotics may be required.

Dengue Fever

Dengue can be a risk in most tropical countries. Whilst you may think it is mainly in jungle areas, it’s not limited to those regions. Urban areas can also be affected as that is where most people are living and virus has to be taken by the mosquito from one person to another person. More people and more mosquitos means more risk.

So, it’s wise to take precautions such as using DEET repellent and wearing protective clothing regardless of your location in Sri Lanka or any tropical area where there is a risk.