I've heard that taking 100 mg tablet of thiamine per day helps to stop mosiqutoes from biting you? Is this true? Is there any negative effects of taking thiamine at that dosages? any info. is greatly appreciated.
2007-05-17 09:54:16 · 3 answers · asked by Steven R 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
I don't think it'll do you any good. For one thing, there's really no hard evidence that thiamine deters mosquito bites...yet. DEET is by far the most effective kind of repellent, and in this age where things like West Nile Virus, Malaria (depending on your location) are out there, you'll want the most proven effective repellant.
2007-05-17 10:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by Terry N 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The scientific data on thiamine (vitamin B1) as an insect repellant is thin. One of the better-known reports suggested taking a large dose three times a day, and that it takes several weeks for the skin to be saturated with it to produce an odor that repels mosquitoes. This makes little sense to me since thiamine is water soluble.
If a person is exposed to mosquitoes where West Nile Virus, malaria, or other mosquito borne illness is endemic, DEET remains the best repellent according to (see below). Use with great care on small children. Follow warning labels.
2007-05-18 14:53:38 · answer #2 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it will help you and could actually be dangerous. thiamine is the vitamin B3. which is in foods we all eat. in an emergency situation paramedics only give 25 mg.
2007-05-17 17:44:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋