 Insect
Repellents
There
are so many insect repellents out there. What kind is best for my children?
Insect repellents
come in many forms including aerosols, sprays, liquids, creams, and sticks.
Some are made from chemicals and some have natural ingredients.
Keep in mind that insect
repellents prevent bites from biting insects but not stinging insects. Biting
insects include mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. Stinging
insects include bees, hornets, and wasps.
| Available
Repellents |
| What's available |
How well it works |
How long it protects |
Special precautions |
| Chemical repellents
with DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) |
Considered the best
defense against biting insects.* |
3 to 8 hours depending
on how much DEET is in the product. |
Caution should be
used when applying DEET to children. |
| Repellents made from
essential oils found in plants such as citronella, cedar, eucalyptus,
and soybean |
Generally much less
effective repellents; most give short-term protection only. |
Usually less than
2 hours. |
Allergic reactions
are rare, but can occur. |
| Chemical repellents
with permethrin |
These repellents
kill ticks on contact. |
When applied to clothing,
it lasts even after several washings. |
Should only be applied
to clothing, not directly to skin. May be applied to outdoor equipment
such as sleeping bags or tents. |
*In April 2005 the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended other repellents that
may work as well as DEET: repellents with a chemical called picaridin and
repellents with oil of lemon eucalyptus or 2% soybean oil. Currently these
products have a duration of action that is comparable to that of about 10%
DEET. Although these products are considered safe when used as recommended,
long-term follow-up studies are not available. Also, more studies need to
be done to see how well they repel ticks.
The following are types
of repellents that are not effective:
-
Wristbands
soaked in chemical repellents
-
Garlic
or vitamin B1 taken by mouth
-
Ultrasonic
devices that give off sound waves designed to keep insects away
-
Bird
or bat houses
-
Backyard
bug zappers (Insects may actually be attracted to your yard.)
DEET
DEET is a chemical used
in insect repellents. The amount of DEET in insect repellents varies from
product to product, so it's important to read the label of any product you
buy. The amount of DEET may range from less than 10% to more than 30%.
Studies show that products
with higher amounts of DEET protect people longer. For example, products with
amounts around 10% may repel pests for about 2 hours, while products with
amounts of about 24% last an average of 5 hours. But studies also show that
products with amounts of DEET greater than 30% don't offer any extra protection.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30%
DEET when used on children. Insect repellents also are not recommended for
children younger than 2 months.
Tips for using repellents
safely
The following are guidelines
on how to use insect repellents safely.
Dos
-
Read
the label and follow all directions and precautions.
-
Only
apply insect repellents on the outside of your child's clothing and on exposed
skin.
-
Spray
repellents in open areas to avoid breathing them in.
-
Use just
enough repellent to cover your child's clothing and exposed skin. Using
more doesn't make the repellent more effective. Avoid reapplying unless
necessary.
-
Assist
young children when applying insect repellents on their own. Older children
also should be supervised when using these products.
-
Wash
your children's skin with soap and water to remove any repellent when they
return indoors, and wash their clothing before they wear it again.
-
Never
apply insect repellent to children younger than 2 months.
-
Repellents
should not be sprayed directly onto your child's face. Instead, spray a
little on your hands first and then rub it on your child's face. Avoid the
eyes and mouth.
-
Insect
repellents should not be applied on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
-
Don't
buy products that combine DEET with sunscreen. The DEET may make the sun
protection factor (SPF) less effective. These products can overexpose your
child to DEET because the sunscreen needs to be reapplied often.
Published online: 3/07
Source: A Parent's Guide to Insect Repellents (Copyright © 2005
American Academy of Pediatrics)
Healthcare professionals
may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Baby and
Young Child: Birth to Age 5. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP
Bookstore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information contained
in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care
and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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