Bites, stings and things

[Where's Bruce?]

As what you'd call a "destination bow hunter" I often travel and hunt places I have never been before. No scouting, no local knowledge to draw from, it can be quite challenging. But the one thing that seems to be a constant challenge above all is the plant and insect injuries I sustain. Push thru a thick patch of salmonberry and stinging nettles after spending a day hunting bug infested swamps and you'll understand. More than once my hands balloooned up like Mickey Mouse and I've had to cut my hunt short more than once because of toxemia concerns. I do my best to cover up yet even now, a full 2 months after returning from Alberta I have bites on my hands that are not fully healed. I've tried Benadryl (pills and spray) and the like and they slow the process down but do not actually stop or reverse it. Has anyone found anything that works? In coastal Oregon I got several puncture wounds on my hands from salmonberry that then got hit with stinging nettles and bug bites. Sometimes the bugs bit thru my gloves! Hard to imagine but they did. Makes me wanna wear leather gloves but when it's hot and you're bow hunting, they aren't real practical. Anyway...I was just looking at my scarred hands realizing I returned home from Canada 8 weeks ago and wondering if anyone else has dealt with such things successfully. Nothing I have tried has been more than 60% effective. The Sitka Core Hoody has been the single best thing thus far. My neck and ears are very grateful Sitka!

 

[JDeanP]

Thermacell is a must for bugs in places like the southeast. 2 is not ridiculous. For serious insect bites/stings, wet tobacco is the best field remedy I've found.

Don't have much trouble with the flora, thankfully.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Thermacell is a must for bugs in places like the southeast. 2 is not ridiculous. For serious insect bites/stings, wet tobacco is the best field remedy I've found.

Don't have much trouble with the flora, thankfully.

Not a viable solution for ground pounders. I use it in camp or if sitting still...useless when on the move.

 

[boom]

big floppy had with a headnet when i'm hiking. i dont care how ridiculous i look. my wife bougnt two and i said, "i will never wear anything like this~!"

i did, and was a blood saver.

 

[JDeanP]

Not a viable solution for ground pounders. I use it in camp or if sitting still...useless when on the move.

Really? If I'm moving fast enough for the Thermacell not to work, the bugs can't keep up. I've hunted some pretty thick swamps, with pterodactyle skeeters, and do just fine on the move. Everywhere is different though.

There's plenty of "smelly" natural products that work well, but they tend to have stronger scents to them. I've used a loose bug shirt before, but the the tight versions (rhino skin?) don't seem to do much against anything but ticks.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Really? If I'm moving fast enough for the Thermacell not to work, the bugs can't keep up. I've hunted some pretty thick swamps, with pterodactyle skeeters, and do just fine on the move. Everywhere is different though.

There's plenty of "smelly" natural products that work well, but they tend to have stronger scents to them. I've used a loose bug shirt before, but the the tight versions (rhino skin?) don't seem to do much against anything but ticks.

Out west we usually have wind of one kind or another.

 

[JDeanP]

Have you played with permethrin?

Amazon.com: permethrin

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Have you played with permethrin?

Amazon.com: permethrin

I spray all my external layers, pack, boots and tents down with the stuff.

 

[ohoopee]

Ryno skin clothes? I haven't tried it but saw some testimonials when I was looking into their gear.

 

[lam396]

I treat my socks, pants, boxers gloves and a shirt with permethrin. I buy it in a concentrated form and mix it to a .05% solution and then soak my clothes in it and then hang dry. I like to occasionally spray it on my pack and tents too. This won't solve your problem though because from what I understand, permethrin is a better contact killer rather than a deterrent like most sprays but its just another line of defense. I would say it's vital in tick areas though. Rather than leather gloves, what about mechanix type gloves?

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[Beendare]

Permethrin- check. Spray a set of clothes- it works.

Picaridin works for skin applications as well as deet IMO....without the many downsides of deet.

^^ doing that, I had two whole bites from 10 days in an Alaskan swamp- it works.

Poison oak, stinging nettles, Devils club, etc, etc- this comes under the "Being a good woodsman" banner. All of these potentially dangerous plant species are easy to deal with between your ears.

Wear nitrile gloves when handling that wild hog you just shot....it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure he was covered in Poison oak.

Poisonous plants such as Stinging nettles and Devils club are easy to recognize...and easy to plan for during the packing stage. Being a 'destination bowhunter' such as yourself, I'm sure you have considered more than just 'Bring my sleeping bag to stay warm'.

Its no different than a Mtn hunter bringing a stout pair of boots....always consider the Flora...and not just the Fauna when packing for a hunt.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I treat my socks, pants, boxers gloves and a shirt with permethrin. I buy it in a concentrated form and mix it to a .05% solution and then soak my clothes in it and then hang dry. I like to occasionally spray it on my pack and tents too. This won't solve your problem though because from what I understand, permethrin is a better contact killer rather than a deterrent like most sprays but its just another line of defense. I would say it's vital in tick areas though. Rather than leather gloves, what about mechanix type gloves?

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That's actually where I got into trouble during my moose hunt. I was wearing Gorilla gloves (mechanic gloves) and the skeeters were able to sink their bloodsucking noses thru the fine mesh.

I realize it is impossible to eliminate all bites and stings, especially the spider bites i got in the lodge however...what I am looking for is a better treatment once it's happened. When Benadryl isn't enough...what options remain? Perhaps a prescription strength medication?


lam396...you would be well advised NOT to use permethrin on any clothing that goes next to your skin. Your sweat will work as a delivery system and that stuff is toxic as Hell, you do not want it in your system. Base layers, socks, ect should not be treated with it.

boom...big floppy hats with netting aren't really practical when bow hunting. LOL

 

[mrgreen]

I realize it is impossible to eliminate all bites and stings, especially the spider bites i got in the lodge however...what I am looking for is a better treatment once it's happened. When Benadryl isn't enough...what options remain? Perhaps a prescription strength medication?
lam396...you would be well advised NOT to use permethrin on any clothing that goes next to your skin. Your sweat will work as a delivery system and that stuff is toxic as Hell, you do not want it in your system. Base layers, socks, ect should not be treated with it.
boom...big floppy hats with netting aren't really practical when bow hunting. LOL

An oral Corticosteroid like Prednisone may help, check with your Doc.

Re; Permethrin- unless you've found something new, it's not toxic to humans. It's the active ingredient in Nix lice treatment that's been used on children for decades. Instructions advise against applying directly to skin, because it's broken down and rendered ineffective not due to toxicity.

Permethrin Info

Instead of a 'Big Floppy Hat' , try a baseball cap under a mesh bug jacket with an enclosed hood. I've had good luck with that setup to keep blackflies off me while backcountry fishing.

Your hands will still need something, let me know what works. I've gone to tight leather gloves from MagPul. Works, but awkward.

 

[lam396]

An oral Corticosteroid like Prednisone may help, check with your Doc.

Re; Permethrin- unless you've found something new, it's not toxic to humans. It's the active ingredient in Nix lice treatment that's been used on children for decades. Instructions advise against applying directly to skin, because it's broken down and rendered ineffective not due to toxicity.

Permethrin Info

Instead of a 'Big Floppy Hat' , try a baseball cap under a mesh bug jacket with an enclosed hood. I've had good luck with that setup to keep blackflies off me while backcountry fishing.

Your hands will still need something, let me know what works. I've gone to tight leather gloves from MagPul. Works, but awkward.

I agree, unless there is new info, permethrin has been deemed safe for humans and animals alike (not cats though) once it has dried. I wear gloves while applying but once it's dried it's safe. That said, even if there is a risk, its likely much lower than risking a tick bite and we have heavy ticks in our area.

Would an epi pen help for after the fact?

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[Where's Bruce?]

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, permethrin "has low mammalian toxicity, is poorly absorbed through the skin, and is rapidly inactivated by the body. ... Excessive exposure to permethrin can cause nausea, headache, muscle weakness, excessive salivation, shortness of breath, and seizures.

That said, if you are exposed for several hours (as you would if sweating and clothes touching your skin were treated) then you may suffer side effects. That's why you are advised to avoid using it on base layers. Anything that can adversely impact you on a hunt is best avoided.

Prednisone is an insidious drug that I have been forced to take 3 times. I gained 40lbs in 6 weeks and it literally made me crazy. My wife reacted the same when when she took it. Unlike "holiday fat" it is far harder to lose the pounds put on my this steroid. I avoid that med.