Healthy happy you.
Now that summer is almost here, mosquitos are going crazy. You are probably looking for a good insect repellent to discourage those buggers from biting. Many bug sprays these days are made with a powerful chemical called DEET. Sure bugs hate it, but did you know that it's toxic to humans? When you apply it to your skin, it gets absorbed and eventually enters the bloodstream. It pumps through Read more
Darn those little buggers! I went to a BBQ the other night and was getting eaten alive by pesky mosquitoes. Someone at the party said, "Just eat garlic and they won't come near you." Reminds me of vampire folklore. It's true - mosquitoes and garlic don't mix. If you flavor your food with a lot of garlic or take garlic supplements, the compounds are released from your body through your skin Read more
It seems that when you're enjoying the most delectable meal, right as the sun is setting over the lake, a swarm of black flies or mosquitoes decide to join the dinner party and wreak havoc on your fun. When citronella candles and tiki torches don't cut it, it's time to get out the bug spray. You've probably read about the powerful chemical DEET that is found in most bug sprays. When repellent Read more
With all the rain many areas in the US have been getting this Summer, mosquitoes are out of control. Bug sprays that contain DEET are just about the only thing guaranteed to repel those buggers, but a new study may make you think twice before spraying it all over your body. In scientific experiments on insects, DEET was found to interfere with proper functioning of the central nervous system. Read more
DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. Dear DrSugar, Mosquitoes love me. Aside from using repellent featuring DEET (the natural sprays don’t work for me at all), is there anything else I can do to make myself less attractive to hungry pests? I heard drinking white vinegar helps. Also, once bitten, what is the best way to calm down the itchy factor of the Read more
I seem to be a magnet for mosquitoes. Whether I'm trail running or just hanging out at a friend's backyard barbecue, those suckers find me and start a feeding frenzy. If you too constantly suffer from the stinging bites of skeeters, you're probably wondering which bug spray will work the best without causing your body harm. To find out, continue reading. Read more
With cooler temps on the way, early Fall is one of the best times to go hiking. Whether it's two miles or 20, you'll want to make sure that your backpack is filled with all the essentials. From protecting your skin to protecting yourself against a serious emergency, here's everything you should have in your pack before hitting the trail. Water — When hiking, do not let yourself get dehydrated! Read more
Dear Fit, I'm going on a week-long camping and hiking trip, and my destination is bound to be infested with mosquitoes. I want to get a bug spray that really works, but I've heard the only ones you can count on contain DEET. Is this chemical really that bad for me? I really don't want to deal with tons of itchy bites and definitely don't want to catch West Nile Virus. — Doubting DEET Diana I Read more
