Ask Dr Mark
YOUR QUESTIONS / HEARTBURN / HEARING AIDS
This month our expert advises on mosquito bites, mammograms, Viagra, and the benefits of electric bikes
‘Cover up where possible and stick to the most effective repellents’
illustration DAVID DORAN
Q My husband and I have booked a
Christmas cruise to the Caribbean. We are very sensitive to mosquito bites and would like advice on the most effective repellent to use on our trip. We would prefer a natural product like citronella, but haven’t found it that helpful in the past. We will try anything.
a Lucky you. Although you won’t be visiting the Caribbean during the worst time for mosquitoes – the wet season, typically between June and November – there will still be plenty about. And, as well as irritating bites, they can pass on infections like Zika, chikungunya, dengue fever and, in some islands in the region, even malaria (the risk is low). So please book in to your GP practice to discuss your exact itinerary and the precautions you need to take – if you haven’t done so already.