|
|
|
|
|
With so many various alerts from different agencies and groups, it makes it challenging as a parent to know what products your child should or should not use. Here are a few tips for using insect repellants in your family:
Why should I/my loved ones use insect repellant?
Mosquitoes can carry viruses, like West Nile virus, that can occasionally infect people when they are bitten. Wearing an insect repellant allows people to enjoy the outdoors while reducing the possibility of getting bitten by mosquitoes.
When should I apply insect repellant? How often should I apply/reapply it?
You should apply insect repellant when you are going to be outdoors. Mosquitoes typically bite at dawn and dusk, but some may bite all throughout the day. Reapplication depends on the person and the activities they are performing. Reapply the repellant whenever the mosquitoes start biting again. This may be more frequently if you are sweating or getting wet because you are washing off the repellant.
Is there a bug repellant that is superior?
The CDC recommends using products that have been shown to work in scientific trials and that contain active ingredients which have been registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as insect repellents on skin or clothing. Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, the CDC believes that two ingredients have demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the scientific literature. Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others:
DEET
Picaridin
Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant- based repellent, is also available
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for use. However, it was found that when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US, it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.
Is there a specific concentration I should get?
Typically, the more active ingredient a product contains the longer it provides protection from mosquito bites. However, the concentration of different active ingredients cannot be directly compared (i.e. 10% concentration of one product doesn't mean it works exactly the same as 10% concentration of another product).
DEET is an effective active ingredient found in many repellent products and in a variety of formulations.
A product containing 20% DEET provided almost 4 hours of protection
A product with 6.65% DEET provided almost 2 hours of protection
*These protection times are results from one study. Actual protection will vary widely based on conditions such as temperature, perspiration, and water exposure.
Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors. A product with a higher percentage of active ingredient is a good choice if you will be outdoors for several hours while a product with a lower concentration can be used if time outdoors will be limited.
Can insect repellants be used during pregnancy, breast-feeding, or children?
Yes, insect repellants, including those containing DEET, are safe to use in pregnancy, lactation, and in children older than 2 months of age. There is no evidence about what concentration of DEET is safe in these conditions, but the risk of acquiring a disease from the mosquito is greater than the risk of complica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tions from using DEET-containing products. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Environmental Health recently updated their recommendation for use of DEET products on children, citing: "Insect repellents containing DEET with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels." The AAP and other experts suggest that it is acceptable to apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET to infants over 2 months old.
Repellent products that do not contain DEET are not likely to offer the same degree of protection from mosquito bites as products containing DEET. Persons who are concerned about using DEET or other products on children may wish to consult their health care provider for advice. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) can also provide information through a toll-free number, 1-800-858-7378.
|
|
|
|
|
|
