RV FEATURE
Expect multiple bites from midges ; in our case , we suffered hundreds of bites , many in clusters on our exposed skin , causing enormous itch and discomfort .
Unlike the equally annoying mosquitoes , they do not transmit diseases ( in Australia ).
WHAT NOT TO DO
As hard as it is , avoiding scratching your skin and breaking the surface is the first thing to prevent open sores from becoming infected and having longer-lasting side effects of midge bites .
It isn ' t easy to resist the temptation , but using your knuckles or the palm of your hand instead of fingernails to provide some form of temporary relief will prevent turning an agonising itch into an agonising itch with an infected , weeping wound … yuck !
Yes , we were camped during a full moon , which we found later to be the ideal biting phase for midges .
We now carry and use a selection of creams and sprays to prevent being bitten . Shame we didn ’ t have them on that horrible night !
NEXT TIME
No , this terrible experience won ’ t stop us from camping near waterways or beaches again . Although I ' m resigned to the fact that we ' ll probably get bitten by midges from time to time , we will take more precautions to prevent this extreme event from recurring . We will cover up with long clothes , spray or rub on adequate repellent with more abundance , and carry creams , lotions , and potions to alleviate the after-effects of the little critters .
Since the repellents I have used are all chemical-based , I ' d like to check out a few natural versions to see if their claims stand true .
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