Why can one not get bugpatches in Sweden?

Question

I was looking for bugpatches which are supposed to keep bugs that look for ones blood away from you and this method have been effective in Australia for 50 years but recently I saw this advertised in USA but because I do not live there it is rather hard for me to get those patches and do not have much time to get them and I live in a country that is highly conserative in many things and one can not get them here and also it cost a fortune to import it because of greedyness that seems to be a part of this system here and the taxes are far to high to deal with you never know what they are going to charge you. Anyway I wanted to know if there are possibilities to get those patches without receipt because they are just natural products and highly protective and also if they were to be found without receipt in Scandinavia which have lots of bugs that irritates people but i am on my way to Philippines with stop over in Sweden. And thanks for previous answeres.

Answer 1

Sadly, those patches that you are referring to do NOT work. Only the advertisers and producers claim this. If they had been successfully used in Aus for 50 years, tens of millions of Asians and Africans would not have died from Malaria. If you are going to the Philipines, check what you need. A good place to find the information is at the website for the Hospital of Tropical Diseases in the UK. The information is updated regularly both with the risk factor of any prevalent disease, in any country and the most up to date preventative measures. However, apart from inocculations and tablets, it would be advisable to take a mosquito net and some mosquito repellent with you. If you require anti-malarial tablets, you will have to start the course 10 days before you depart and continue the course whilst in the Philippines. A cheap bottle of calamine lotion will help reduce any itching from insect bites, as well as ease uncomfortable sunburn. As a further precaution, take some anti-diarrhea tablets and some powders for replacing the minerals etc. after and during bouts of sickness. Luckily, I have never had to use those tablets and powders but you never know. Finally, to further reduce the risk of insect bites, make sure that you keep your body as clean as possible and don't wear aftershave, perfume or anything that has a sweet smell.