At dusk, near greenery or standing water, mosquitoes come out to feed. On a summer evening on the Costa Daurada it’s by far the most common nuisance — and also the easiest to avoid with the right repellent.
Which repellent actually works
Not all repellents are equal, and the difference isn’t the brand, it’s the active ingredient:
- DEET, at 20–30% concentration for adult use, is the most studied and gives the longest protection (several hours). Not recommended for children under 2.
- Icaridin (picaridin), an alternative with similar effectiveness to DEET, less smell, and better suited to sensitive skin. This is usually what we recommend for children from age 2.
- Citronella oil and other “natural” repellents last much less time — often under an hour — and need reapplying far more often to do anything useful.
Apply repellent to exposed skin after sunscreen, never before or mixed with it, and avoid spraying near eyes, mouth and open cuts.
If you’ve already been bitten
- Don’t scratch. The hardest rule to follow and the most important one — scratching breaks the skin and opens the door to infection.
- Local cold for a few minutes calms the swelling and itching better than almost any cream.
- An over-the-counter antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream on the area reduces swelling and itching.
- An oral antihistamine helps if you have several bites, or if the itching is keeping you awake.
When a bite isn’t just a bite
Most mosquito bites are just annoying. Pay closer attention with a wasp or bee sting — the pain is immediate and more intense — and go to a medical centre or call 112 if you notice:
- Difficulty breathing, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Hives or swelling spreading well beyond the bite site
- Dizziness, nausea or a feeling of fainting
- Multiple bites at once in a young child
- Signs of infection in the following days: the area gets more red, hot, or starts oozing
At Farmàcia Arqué
No appointment needed. We’ll recommend the right repellent for the age and plans of the day, and if you already have bites, we’ll help you choose between soothing cream, an antihistamine, or both. We’re at Passeig de Miramar 72, on Ponent Beach, and we speak Spanish, Catalan, English and French.
If you’re travelling with children, the rest of what’s worth packing in the beach bag is in travel first aid kit: what to pack for Salou. Outside our opening hours, the duty pharmacy in Salou covers the 24-hour shift.
This article is for information only and does not replace assessment by a healthcare professional for a specific symptom. If you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 112 without waiting. Sources: Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — insect repellents, Spanish Paediatric Association (AEP).