Hello Maria, I'm sorry I can't advise you on this because I don't generally have a problem with bites. I think that my blood is so full of drugs it puts insects off cause if they did bite me they would die.Glenys.

I was bitten all over my legs by fleas (not in my house!), confirmed by a doc. Really itchy and I was worried about infection. Anti histamines stopped the itching straight away. I now take anti histamines when on holiday, which has also stopped prickly heat.
Works for me!
Jan x

Hi Maria,I can't advise on insect bites but I have found being out in the sunshine while on MTX can cause a rash similar to nettle rash or hives. After my second dose on MTX both arms from elbows to wrists was covered in a red,bumpy,itchy rash.Saw my GP and he told me to stop taking the MTX until I see the rheumy nurse which will be this afternoon.I had to use a cream called Eurax which got rid of the rash after several days(also good for insect bites) but GP said to always use a factor 50 sun lotion when being out in the sun while taking MTX. I will know today whether I have to re start taking the MTX. Brenda.

told to wear 50 plus factor in the sun by skin lady before you are out in it .and re apply

wear it in first place with sun cream put it on readless every morning and have both in your bag and bottoms of feet and hair put it every where .

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions.

Jan- thanks for your suggestion-I hadn't thought of taking anti histamines as a precaution. I've always had anti histamine cream with me but not tablets. My gp gave me some good ones when I got back last year as I'd suffered so badly, so I will ask him for more -if I can take them with mtx of course.

Brenda- thanks for your warning about reactions to heat and sunshine.

Caroline- I'm going to Lake Garda, we go there very year, as we love it so much, it's easy for me to get around and the hotel staff are fantastic so I never have to worry about being laid up with a flare


Rebecca- might give the garlic capsules a go, as I always get bitten, it's worth a try.

Anne- glad to hear it seems to be helping you. I've been on it 3 weeks now but at a lower dose, in combo with sulfasalazine. I've been feeing tired, slight nausea as well, and loss of appetite (not a bad thing for me though!)

Lorna- I think you're right- I do worry too much!

Thanks again

Mariax

NO PUT THE RELEANT ON AS SOON AS YOU GET UP THE ONLY WAY AND USE REPEANT WIPES AND HAVE ONE IN YOUR BAG AND PUT ON YOUR HAIR AND YOUR FEET WELL EVERY WHERE .don,t try garlic i did does not work for some and some times make its worse as with me they came for me .I now rearley get bite .And a dab here dab there does not work either .Use 50% deet only way other wise i am coverd and they weep and blister .Just don,t muck about chemist boots 50 % deet and wear it head to foot .first thing after shower .I have been bite in the shower when its been removed .Trust me only way . christine ps i have been bite so badley ended up at the hospital had releant on but not strong enough .Why it has too be deet

Christine -many thanks for the advice- seems like that is the answer for me too.

Lyn-I have done the Garda-Bardolino walk many times. We aways end it with a big ice cream on the lake front. Last year was the first time I did it with RA. I was ok one way but had to get the boat back!

Last year, when I had some really nasty bites, I had to go to the pharmacy- the pharmacist was absolutely gorgeous, but I chickened out of showing him the massive bite on my bum and had to make do with the one on my leg

Maria