Solo Wild Camp Fail - West Highland Way Training
Channel: Robert John Kerr
Date: 2021-08-17

Solo Wild Camp Fail - West Highland Way Training

How bad are midge bites?
Midge and gnat bites often look similar to mosquito bites. They won’t cause you to get sick but usually cause small, red lumps that can be painful and very itchy, and can sometimes swell up.

Some people will have a stronger immune response, and will get big red lumps at the site of bites, while other people will see only a small red mark at the bite site.
Do some people get more midge bites than others?
Yes, it is commonly known that some people are more ‘attractive’ to midges than others.

There have been lots of theories over the years as to why this might be such as diet. However, recent studies have revealed that it is actually due to a chemical hidden in body odour called ketone. Midges don’t seem to like this chemical and it therefore works as a natural repellent.

Some people have lots more ketone than others and this is believed to be due to hereditary reasons.