Protecting yourself from the summer heat

[Ode]

Mac, I have a pretty bad allergy to the saliva in the bug bites, and there really isn't any rinsing off saliva that is injected into your tissues. All I can do is take antihistamines and use hydrocortisone to keep the swelling and itch down until it is out of my system. A simple mosquito bite on me typically turns into a welt an inch across, raised and red. And that is if I don't scratch it and make the reaction worse. I am also severely allergic to bee and other similar venoms. I usually pack 3-4 epipen injectors with me at all times during the warmer months, and even carry two during the winter because wasps and wild bee colonies can winter inside a building without the nest being noticed.

I try not to let my allergies ruin my enjoyment of the outdoors, by not using anything scented except on special occasions. From laundry to all my personal care items, they are all unscented except in the winter. That is the only time aside from the special rare occasion that I indulge in scented products on my hair and skin. So far it has kept me from being stung for the past 30 years. But the bites...I figure I must be just so tasty that they can't resist me! Even sprays don't keep them away.

[Mac_Muz]

Originally Posted by Ode

Mac, I have a pretty bad allergy to the saliva in the bug bites, and there really isn't any rinsing off saliva that is injected into your tissues. All I can do is take antihistamines and use hydrocortisone to keep the swelling and itch down until it is out of my system. A simple mosquito bite on me typically turns into a welt an inch across, raised and red. And that is if I don't scratch it and make the reaction worse. I am also severely allergic to bee and other similar venoms. I usually pack 3-4 epipen injectors with me at all times during the warmer months, and even carry two during the winter because wasps and wild bee colonies can winter inside a building without the nest being noticed.

I try not to let my allergies ruin my enjoyment of the outdoors, by not using anything scented except on special occasions. From laundry to all my personal care items, they are all unscented except in the winter. That is the only time aside from the special rare occasion that I indulge in scented products on my hair and skin. So far it has kept me from being stung for the past 30 years. But the bites...I figure I must be just so tasty that they can't resist me! Even sprays don't keep them away.

Never the less flush with water asap. In your case submerge what ever you can for longer.

I agree your on the right track being as scentless as possible.

To some people I suggest allowing bites to happen, but i would NOT in your case. My wife was a bit like you once, but she is much better now, for having allowed black fly bites. My wife has Von Wilderbrands Factor 8, so it was hard for her to be here awhile.

I am so ornery that the bugs that do bite me often die in the act. I must be bug toxic. I don't own a bottle of repellent.

You might try Skin So Soft, in the un-scented form. I hate the way that stuff feels on me, but doing historical re-enactment nearly naked as a early Native character, I came to find the paints I make, cause bugs to not bother me much, and those that do die on contact with the paint, and stick to me quite dead. I like the effect myself

Also I am shaded from the sun, some rain, and light wind by the paint.

I suspect there was more to war paint, than we moderns know, but I am finding out.

[FreedomThroughAnarchism]

Well, this is a makeshift idea I came up with a while back, and thought I might share it for whatever it's worth, simply because it applies to this thread. Rather than explain it purely in text, I made a little diagram to go along with it. '

I figure the whole thing can be made for $50 - $75, depending on how diligently you shop, or if you have some of the supplies already. What you get in return is a very mediocre air conditioner, but what's good about it is that it should run on very little electricity.... no 120 volt service even needed like a regular air conditioner. Battery supply should work just fine.

Both the fan and the pump should/can be low voltage battery items (will run you about $20 - $30 for both, if you know how to shop around).

If you have a tiny little cabin, or a wall tent.... this thing might be able to provide the needed cooling for those that don't live in climate that is too hot (or if you have good insulation - it would work in hotter environments). The other advantage of this idea is that unlike a regular air conditioner, you don't have to stick it out the window, nor is there a need to vent it like a regular A/C unit.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/6...onericebox.png