Your local pharmacy is well supplied to help you handle bites and stings, but they’re still uncomfortable and irritating - and often avoidable, with the help of insect repellent, which - luckily - your local pharmacy keeps in stock, as well.

Research suggests that mosquitoes are attracted to certain chemicals in our sweat, in addition to the warmth, humidity, and carbon dioxide we emit as we’re going about our daily routines. It seems like everybody has a different experience with mosquitoes and biting flies - our body chemistry varies from person to person, and some of us are more likely to attract mosquitos than others.

If you’re prone to mosquito bites, you’ll know that the itchy bumps they leave behind are a nuisance even if you are well-supplied with anti-itching ointments. So you might be inclined to prevent the bites from happening at all.

Mosquitos are able to bite through tight-fitting clothing, so wearing loose clothes can help keep your skin off the menu, and if you have access to air conditioning, you might be able to avoid opening the windows - especially at peak mosquito times, between dusk and dawn. However, a decent insect repellent containing citriodiol or citronella can do a great job of protecting you from hungry bugs when you’re out and about.

In general insect repellents like these work by disguising the chemical cues that mosquitoes use to track us down. One of the least effective products to repel insects is a wristband treated with citronella, because mosquito repellent only works on the surface to which it’s applied - mosquitos were happy to bite skin as little as 4cm away from the repellent.

Although it’s not marketed as an insect repellent, there is some research to suggest that coconut oil contains fatty acids and compounds that may help keep mosquitoes and biting flies away, so if you’re in the market for a moisturiser, that might be a good way to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Whichever repellent you choose to use, you should reapply a repellent based on the information available on the packaging, as staying power varies. Take into account the amount you’ll be sweating (as a result of the weather, or the amount of exercise you’ve been doing) and exposure to water, if you’re swimming. Applying and reapplying frequently will help maintain your coverage against creatures that bite and leave you itching.

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It’s rare for an insect bite or sting to cause serious problems - but they are still uncomfortable and annoying. Don’t hesitate to pop into your local pharmacy for a conversation about bites and stings.