Going Camping...any special precautions?

lmliess
lmliess Member Posts: 329
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello - it is a non chemo week and I feel good so we are loading up Friday and going camping and boating for a few days. Are there any special precautions I need to take? My WBC count is a little low, so I am worried about mosquitoe bites, but I don't want to use any 'chemicals' like DEET on me (or my daughter for that matter). I have some Burts Bees insect repelent spray. I feel like everywhere I look I have to worry about a virus from a bug or the chemicals in the stuff that keeps the bugs off of you!

Or should I just say 'heck with it', spray on some DEET bug spray and have a 'cocktail!'.

Thanks!

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #3
    Um...My opinion.
    Hi,
    I am not on chemo anymore but I do go camping ALOT. I work for the Forest Service as a backcountry ranger. I hope wherever you are going is not too buggy, but if it is truly horrible I would say that a little DEET isn't gonna "kill you". I do use it although I use the OFF Sports type (which is not 100% deet). There is also something called REPEL lemon/eucalyptus bug spray that works well against black flies, etc.
    I think the Burts Bee's (might) work although you will undoubtedly have to keep reapplying it..unless you are not sweating at all.
    I hope you have a great 4th of July weekend!
    -Susan H.
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #4
    natural items...
    Apply lavender essential oil to pulse points - wrists, ankles, etc. Avon's Skin so Soft is also a good option. Both were approved by my onc.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #5
    Natural, naturally!
    Hey !

    You can rub garlic and honey all over your body. The insects that
    don't get repelled, will stick and you can pick them off!



    Seriously.... that "Avon's Skin so Soft" that was mentioned
    is what everyone used up in the buggy Massachusetts, Vermont and
    New Hampshire country.

    I hated the way it smelled, but I don't smell that great either.

    Oh, and....

    Take your prescriptions, and know where the hospitals and
    emergency services are.

    That's kinda' a no-brainer, huh..?

    Have fun!


    John
  • christinecarl
    christinecarl Member Posts: 543 Member
    #6
    I would bring some good old Deepwoods Off with, the other stuff sounds good, but just in case you really need the Deet, its good to have it. Some mosquito bite stuff is good to have, After Bite helps. Have fun and I hope you have great weather.
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #7
    I don't know about the bug
    I don't know about the bug sprays, but I say take a good book, a comfy lawn chair, sunblock and cold drinks and just enjoy being! Good for you for not staying put! We are fighting to live, so live!! Have a great time. Jean
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #8
    Enjoy!
    Have a wonderful weekend! We used Skin So Soft when hanging out on the porch in Mosquitoey Massachusetts. I used it on our girls when they were little and it worked.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #9
    Did you hear about the Morgans.
    Take some bear repellant :) Ron.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #10
    ron50 said:

    Did you hear about the Morgans.
    Take some bear repellant :) Ron.

    Glad you mentioned that, Ron!
    lmliess - -

    You know that garlic and honey idea? Forget the honey.


    John
  • ktlcs
    ktlcs Member Posts: 358
    #11
    Agree with John
    My parents live in the backwoods of NH and my mother swears by Avon Skin so Soft

    Have a blast and many cocktails

    K
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #12
    Kathleen808 said:

    Enjoy!
    Have a wonderful weekend! We used Skin So Soft when hanging out on the porch in Mosquitoey Massachusetts. I used it on our girls when they were little and it worked.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Fun
    Skin so soft does work....and on cabinets to keep bugs away, no kidding!!

    Take all your meds....don't overdue, don't take in too much smoke, watch for tics, have fun!!!!

    oh, not too many marshmallows!
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #13
    ktlcs said:

    Agree with John
    My parents live in the backwoods of NH and my mother swears by Avon Skin so Soft

    Have a blast and many cocktails

    K

    They told me not to drink while doin chemo..
    but they also told me to quit being a horses **** too....and I haven't quit either and Im still around.....I say enjoy "moderately"........Love ya, Buzz
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #14
    Off Clip On
    George and I bought a couple of these to use up at the cottage in Mid-Michigan. They work like a dream. Was doing some gardening down by the water and never got bit. Went out a little later without it and got several bites. Their web site off clip on.com had a coupon buy one get one free and now they got some other coupons and Home Depot has them on sale. Dont' smell anything, no spraying yourself but the bugs really stay away. George was out on his lawn tractor, had it on him, and no bites, usually he asks to be sprayed down.

    Sorry for the late response, was off line for a few days.

    Have a happy 4th Everyone, take care - Tina

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