anyone a good remedy for bites and stings which are common at this time of year? I walk my dogs a fair bit near a forest & lake and would hate to have to quit just because of the nasties! The bites are not overly bad just itchy. I did try the vet but all they gave me was Fuciderm which I am reluctant to use since it tells me to use gloves to apply it.  I can't imagine what it might do to the dog that tries to lick it off.  Any suggestions, please?

OOh not just me then, ben bitten soemthing rotten this year in last few weeks.

Vinegar can stop the bites itching.

Thankyou! will try that, it should be harmless.....

I use witch hazel and also take anti histamine tablets.

They could be harvest mites rather than midges........  I don't know any cure for them though - although you could try the little piezo devices you can get from the chemist - they use a small static shock I think to neutralise the itch.

for bites i use pure tea tree oil :-)

are these 'piezo' devices available in the UK?  also are they for dogs? Or just you can just use it on dogs ?? I'd just like to know when I go to ask for them!  Tried the vinegar (got licked off right away!) and the tea tree (ouch!), might be good but stingy!  Must get some witch hazel. Never heard of harvest mites... there are so many crawling things out there that I don't think I have met yet, oh dear.

>>the tea tree (ouch!), might be good but stingy!

LOL... forgive me for asking but was it the 100 % pure Tea tree oil - Melaleuca Alternifolia ?

I only ask as thats the best of the tea trees ( there are other varietys ) and i have used it on open wounds on kids and not had a problem, feels a bit "fresh" sometimes but wouldnt say it was stingy :D
Its also good at repelling bugs aswell if you wet your finger with it and wipe it through hair/fur etc..

from someone who lives in big beastie country :D

aye, it was pure T tree.  you see, I ASSUMED ,it was stingy because Finn jumped a bit but you see I may be all wrong.... maybe it was a surprise!!  That's a good idea about putting a few drops through the hair, to repel the bugs, will certainly do that in future.  Where are you from janeandkai?

oops, sorry just read your profile..see where you are from now! 

I've seen them in Boots and other chemists in the UK - not sure about using them on dogs, I'd try it on yourself first and see if it is uncomfortable.

Ok thanks for that too, I will be in Boots tomorrow and check out..

Hi velma im up in the north east of scotland, about an hour south of Inverness.
mountains trees n fields nice and rural here :D

where are you?

Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, lots of water here....have been as far North in Scotland as Aberdeen but not Inverness way. I am sure it has lots of fresh air!