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Vitamin B1 for Mosquito bites

To avoid mosquito bites in the first place, eat foods rich in Vitamin B1 or take a B1 supplement. The B1 makes you unpleasant for the mosquito to bite.

Visitors comments

Vitamin B1 for Preventing Mosquito bites Comments By: Meeseluvr

I have tried taking B1 for years to prevent Mosquitos from biting me, It DOES NOT WORK! They just love me and that Avon stuff does not work either. What else could I try that doesn't stink?

it works for me Comments By: kerry

I've tried the 100 mg for B1 as have the rest of my family and it works wonders for us. We still get a few bites but the ones we do get don't itch like normal. Also, if we eat bananas we seem to get more bites even with the B1

b1 does not work Comments By: nichole

don't believe it. i took 500 mg for 2 weeks before going to thailand and got over 15 bites. it did not work, but stuff called skeetolene from uk worked just like it says. it has eucalyptus citadora in it.

if vitamin b1 does not work try Comments By: carol

I was told to try garlic I am going camping this weekend and I always get eaten alive. so here is something new. I have also herd that mosqitoes do not like peppermnt and to put 15-20 drops of perppermint essentail oils in water and spray on yourself? we will see

Essential Oils Comments By: Anon

A blend of eucalyptus and lavender oils is supposed to work for a couple of hours.

works Comments By: bill

i got to spain twice a year and get biten at least 5 times. the last 2 times iv been over i havent been biten once taking B1 everyday. start 2 days before you leave

B1 Comments By: kevin

B1 works have been using it in the Australian outback for years 1 tab three times daily works for me

NOTHING WORKS! Comments By: Carol Coulson

I always get bitten all over by mozzies, which has stopped me going on holiday for 7 years!!! This year I did lots of research before going to Jamaica for 1 week in March 08. I took a course of Vitamin B1 before I went, took it while I was there, used Avon Skin So Soft Dry Body Oil, sprayed my clothes, body, curtains and bedding with Jungle Spray containing Deet, and STILL GOT EATEN ALIVE!!!! I actually got 7 bites on my face!!! The bites on my fingers look like small cauliflowers florets and go purple! I am off to the doctors tomorrow, as my local pharmacist thinks my bites could be infected and need an antibiotic. Holidays in hot countries are out for me from now on, as being bitten so much and the constant itching makes me feel so miserable, it spoils the holiday.

B1 Works!!! Comments By: Nick

I tried B1 last summer after hearing about it on the today show. After about 10 days on b1 100 mg 3 times a day I had 80% less bites. This it great since I walk my dogs daily at the park. I highly recommend you give it a try.

Urban legend Comments By: Pat

Canadian Armed Forces and the U.S. CDC have done studies on B1 v.s. mosquitos, and both found no measurable reduction in mosquito bites. Wish it worked, going to Costa Rica next week! I hate mosquitos!!!

Eaten Alive!! Comments By: Johan Meldrum

I have been biten so much my mosquitos over the years. I have ended up in hospital with severe bites to my legs and hands, as a result I lost circulation in my fingers and my legs went purple from the knee down for 4months and it was painful. I now have to contend with going out and getting at least 30 bites in 1 night. Oh and believe me they are big, swollen red marks. I have tried lots of things. But the best for me is to cover up, put on repellent, take B1 and just hope for the best. I dont know why they love me so much but my friends love it because if I'm around they never get a bite.
Good Luck

Vitamin B1 takes 4 to 6 weeks to help w/"quitoes" Comments By: Omie

Take Vitamin B1 for 4 to 6 weeks. I still get a few bites but don't get dozen w/in minutes.

It worked for me Comments By: Christian

I don't get the same reaction as my wife does when a mosquito bites me (she gets a huge red bump, I get a small red spot).

If I take Vitamin B1 for around 4-6 weeks prior to going I very rarely get bit at all and my wifes reaction to them is more like mine without the B1 i.e. small red spot.

So whether or not it is proven scientifically it works for us.

My advice would be to try it. It cost very little to try and it may just work for you too.

eaten alive Comments By: natalie

everytime i go on holiday i get eaten alive i am in cyprus currently writing this and i have over 150 on my legs, ankles and feet then around another 50 on my back and arms and they are still biting me. i have been reading all your comments and i dont think b1 vitamin is going to help me as everything else on the market i use to no avail. i went to the doctors recntly and found that my body does not produce the vitamin b12 so i am starting regular injections for this i am also wondering if this is the reason for me being bitten so much. if anyone knows anything about this please let me know my email address is snowey1986@hotmail.co.uk

Apparently, it's a TYPO It's B6 - NOT B1 that stops mosquitos from biting Comments By: Karen Boyd, C.Ht.

It's NOT B1 -- I don't know who started the erroneous information that B1 stops mosquito bites because it's actually B6 that stops mosquitos from biting. A normal amount of B6 in the blood makes a person unattractive to mosquitos because it is an ingredient that is almost impossible for them to tolerate and they will avoid you like the plague. When there is a lack of B6 in the blood, a person becomes as attractive to a mosquito as a rose is to a honey bee because the blood smells "sweet" to the mosquito, and just as a honey bee can smell the scent of a flower from hundreds of feet away, so it is with the mosquito to people with a B6 deficiency. B6 is genetically inherent and at least one parent is prone to being attractive to mosquitos also. In my own family, mosquitos never bit my mother and she had very little sympathy for the rest of us in the family who were plagued by mosquitos -- however, flys would find her. My father, on the other hand, could barely walk outside without being literally swarmed with mosquitos. He would slather tons of oily repellent that smelled like kerosene all over his exposed skin and yet they would bite him through his clothes. My brother and I inherited our father's malady although not as severe. And my daugher has called me from camp saying, "MOM, what's the vitamin that stops mosquitos from biting you?" (!)] Other outward symptoms of a lack of B6 in the blood can be a tendency to water retention, swollen ankles, hemmoroids, cradle cap in babies and in pregnant women it appears as intense morning sickness. There is an incredibly simple and inexpensive solution to all of these symptoms and they can be easily cured by taking 25 mg. of B6 three times a day with meals to start, and then 50 mg daily. B6 is water soluable and well tolerated without side-effects. Welcome to a bite-free future :)

Mosquitoes & B1 Comments By: Howard.

As a holistic practitioner of some 16 years' experience I can categorically tell you that it is B1 (Thiamine) that repels mosquitoes. Taken in large doses it is partly expelled through the skin and mosquitoes do not like it. It is a safe vitamin to take in these doses (typically at least 1500 mg. per day) as being water-soluble any excess is eliminated in the urine. All B vitamins are water soluble, by the way. It is important to start taking it atb least 2 weeks before travelling, and this is where many people go wrong, as it needs to accumulate in the system.

You can't prove it doesn't work so do it anyway Comments By: Ali G

Ha ha ha, 15 bites?? I've had that many on one foot! When I take B1 I have far less bites, had about 200 on my back on Magnetic Island, Oz. Wish I'd taken it then. They don't like garlic, but love perfume...and alcohol in your blood! But it's science, your scent attracts them or you give off a "masking" scent and they don't bite you, so slap on the deet.

smell! Comments By: Jane

This makes you smell SO BAD!!!! It comes out your pores and that is the point. That drives away the mosquitos. I don't even want to be around other people because i smell when i take it!!

Tiger Balm Comments By: Nancy

While traveling through Thailand and in Portugal I got huge quarter sized bites all over my legs. Some native Thai people told me to used Tiger Balm (which you can generally find in the Pharmacy and sometimes at Dollar Stores in Canada). Anyhow, I applied the Tiger Balm and within 15 minutes the size of the bites reduced by 98% and it had drawn out a fluid puss to the surface (which I just wiped off). I have photos to prove it.

It is simple chemistry folks... Comments By: Bob

#1 - Everyone's body digests, processes, and works differently than everyone elses. Keep this caveat in mind anytime you see articles about ingesting certain vitamins or attempting certain diets for claimed effects.

With this said, it may work for some but not all. As one commentor posted, my wife and I share very different reactions to normal bites as well. Mine are small and do not itch - she is not as lucky.

It is simply our individual body chemistry at work. RESULTS MAY VARY!

Natural Mosquito Repellent & anti-itch savior Comments By: Anon

Despite the bites from No-seeums I've found a natural repellent for mosquitoes: mix distilled water with 1oz grapeseed oil (or other), 10-15 drops of each essential oil: lavender, cedar, lemongrass & citrus (any you like). Shake it up and spritz it on. Reapply every 2-3hours - works like a charm! If you still get bitten; the itch from Noseeums is wicked try Zantac (150mg), recommended to me from a walk-in clinic Dr, the active ingredient in this acts to calm all the nerve receptor's in the body and the itch goes away! Wonderful stuff.

Vitamin B1 and B6 excellent mosi repellant Comments By: Paula Wilson

take vitamin B1 and B6 a month before your hols!!! No more mosi bites

Take 100mg B-Complex and call it a day! Comments By: J.P. TIverton

This does work, for me at least. Note alcohol and such will reduce the level of Vitamin B in the body. Also, Vitamin B and Potassium negate each other in the body and should not be taken together. That means no Vitamin B and eating bananas at the same time.

BITES Comments By: lemon lady.

Lemons are a great way to protect yourself from biting insects mosquitos etc, drink the juice of a lemon, and rub the rest on your skin, great repellent, and it will also take swelling and itching out of a bite just rub bite with a fresh lemon, add few drops lemon oil to final rinse on clothes also helps repel, from a lady who was plaqued with awful bites and swellings, i also take KWAI GARLIC TABLETS daily, i was told about the lemons by a GREEK lady whilst on holiday many yrs ago when she saw my bites, it also calms itchy skin, well it works for me.

B6 or B1...Brewers Yeast tablets work Comments By: Anon

i was told many years ago by an old trapper in the Canadian bush to take Brewers Yeast tablets, one a day for a month before venturing out. He had seen how many bites I had on me. The next year I did as he told me and 30 years later still follow his advice. For me it works and I wouldn't hesitate to say give it a try.

Listerine Comments By: Susie

At a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. Tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame.

Cheapest fly spray Comments By: Richard Szwed

When you leave your holiday apartment in the evening walk backwards spraying the room with the cheapest fly spray you can buy making sure you spray behind curtains..Please make sure no edibles are uncovered.
At least your room will be safe on your return.
Can't help during the evening. I just make sure I spray all my arms etc but still get bitten and my wife never gets bitten.

mosquito don't bite me Comments By: Mona Hromiko

I take a multiple B Stress formula daily. Went camping for 4 days this past week in damp WI at Black River Falls and did not get one bit while those with me received an uncountable number of bits. Read about Vitamin B in Mother Earth years ago and have proven it's effectiveness on my children and myself ever since.

this changed my life Comments By: ladyjz

I am a mosquito magnet. I have had up to 165 mosquito bites at any one time (yes, I've counted). About 6 years ago, I was given this trip while traveling in Costa Rica. I couldn't believe it worked. Now, I use it all summer long. I know there are those who will say that my body chemistry has just changed, but if I forget for a few days (and I sometimes do) they are right back on me. I say give it a try - the worst that can happen is that you'll have a lot of vitamin B in your system for a few weeks. Better than DEET...

Canceling Out Comments By: Mike

Using multiple methods cancel each other out. Try 1 or 2 methods at a time.

mosquito Comments By: Patty

Well I haven't tried B1 but if you take any kind of herb blood cleaner the bites usually go away in 3 to 10 minutes. I have also increase my zinc and potassium I take like burdock it has high potassium in it. It has shown good results for me to keep mosquitos from biting.

Going to try B1 Comments By: Cathy

As someone who appears to be very tasty to our irritating little freinds,I need to use something that will really put them off. I get bitten by anything and everything and they always turn really nasty, at least 10 bites per day and thats in England!!! Its even worse in a hot climate. I have decided to try B1 Yeast Extract. Can anyone advise how many of these I should take a day?

B1 should 400mg/per day work so well! Comments By: Cannon Son

I'm travel in ASIA for 9 months, Pharmacy at RAMBUDE PHARMACY in Bangkok Thailand suggessed to take VITAMIN B1 400mg is work very well.

Very nice and helpfull Pharmacys in this shop name "RAMBUDE PHARMACY" the pharmacys team are knowledge and .

Some of my friends, she take only 100mg still bite cause to light for makeing smell

Therefore, recommended take B1 is 400mg not 100mg or less than 400mg.

Suppose you get bite will very low bite because they smelling you.

In the same time, the vitamin B1 is not accumulated in the body everyday you go toilet is out with the urine...

So good by natureal.

Cannon Son

shower in Malathion Comments By: Mike

Showering yourself in Malathion may reduce the risk of mosquito bites, or kill you. Well one way or they other the bugs will stop bothering you.

Comments By: John B.

It's really works. Actually the correct dose is 400 mg./day. I've got recommend from the pharmacy beside 7-11 in Rambude rd. Thailand. I went to Kong river in Laos and never get bitten compared to another tourists.

It works, but be realistic Comments By: Anon

Hello,

I've taken vitiman B1 (when I remember it!). It always helps, but you have to be realistic. You can't expect to come out with no bites. I usually might get one or two, in places where I might get 20-30 if I didn't take it.

Magnet to bites Comments By: Barb

Can't garden, vacation , sit on the porch or play in the yard with the kids. I take a benadryl before I go out if I want to do any of the above. Avon is greasy. Off has a new dry spray that is great. Contains deet. Really works. If you really get bit up and have not taken a benadryl, then take one. You will feel better in a few minutes, maybe ten minutes or so.

Rub on Asprin Comments By: Val

I always get eaten alive and end with very itchy red lumps that keep me up all night scratching and wanting to scream. Someone mentioned Asprin to me so I tried and it worked for me! You wet the area of the bites and rub in an Asprin till it all crumbles and leave it on the skin to dry, sounds daft but it really worked for me. within 2-3 minutes the itching had stopped and the bites really shrunk in size. Lasted about 6-8 hours before I needed to reapply. After a couple of days....no more itching! Going to Mexico soon so will be trying B1 and also a load of Avon Skin so Soft which is used by British Royal Comando's to keep the little buggers at bay.

What to do AFTER you're bitten? Comments By: Karen

I go to Costa Rica for work about four times a year and was bitten so badly my legs were bleeding and two weeks later, still itching. Last two trips I had Xango Juice with me and after bitten, rubbed it on the SWOLLEN, ITCHY bites. Within minutes the swelling was gone and NO itching. I still cannot prevent them but I NO longer suffer! I will be posting something on my starfireblog page soon.