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Ask Dr. Sue
SAFETY OF INSECT REPELLANTS
Dear Dr. Sue,
I worry every time I put insect repellent on my
children. Are they really safe?
Dear Mom,
I assume that the types of insect repellent you are
concerned about are those containing DEET, or
diethyltoluamide. I t has been generally assumed that
children can safely use the repellents containing less
than 10% DEET, although the latest research suggests
that lower concentrations may not be safer than the
products with more DEET. (Therefore the
Environmental Protection Agency will no longer allow
claims that certain DEET-containing products are
specifically for children.) It still is not
totally clear how safe DEET is for infants, children OR
adults.
DEET has been used for many years in concentrations as
high as 95%, and there have been relatively few reports
of problems. However, there have been some cases
of various toxic effects, including nausea, explosive
diarrhea, low blood pressure, psychiatric symptoms,
headache, disorientation, agitation, gait disturbance,
seizures, overwhelming allergic reactions (anaphylaxis),
coma and even death.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that DEET
products with concentrations around 30% are generally
safe to use in children as long as the following
guidelines are observed:
-
Do not apply to infants under 2
months of age.
-
Read and follow all directions and
precautions on the label.
-
Avoid the hands and face to reduce
the likelihood of them taking the product into their
mouths.
-
Do not allow DEET to come into
contact with eyes, the mouth, or genitals.
-
Do not use on any damaged skin,
including cuts and sunburn.
-
Spray formulations should not be
inhaled, and should not be sprayed in enclosed areas
or near food.
-
It is safest of all to apply the DEET
only to clothing, and keep it off the skin.
-
Do not allow young children to apply
by themselves.
-
Do not apply UNDER clothing, as the
heat trapped between skin and clothing can cause a
skin reaction, and can make more of the product be
absorbed.
-
After going inside, WASH OFF the
product entirely.
-
Wash treated clothing before wearing
again.
-
Do not use combination products that
contain sunscreen plus DEET. The DEET tends to
degrade sunscreen, making it less effective.
Also, the sunscreen is meant to be reapplied
frequently, and the DEET must not be; using these
products puts your child at risk for both toxic
effects of the DEET and sun damage.
If you still feel uncomfortable using DEET containing
products, consider these alternatives:
-
Dress your child in long sleeves with
cuffs and long pants with tight cuffs or tucked into
socks or shoes.
-
Mosquito netting is inexpensive and
effective and should be used over infant carriers or
other immobile children (including children napping
outdoors, in a sun protected area, of course).
-
Permethrin containing products can be
very effective and have not been shown to be
harmful. Look for permethrin in the 0.5% aerosol
form, and apply only to clothing.
-
A soybean oil product called Bite
Blocker has company data that suggests it is
effective. It is considered to be nontoxic. Unbiased
sources have yet to evaluate its effectiveness. Bite
Blocker is made by Consep, Inc., in Bend, Oregon.
-
Some feel that essential oil
preparations (citronella, cedarwood, geranium, tea
tree, lavender, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, clove
and cinnamon) are effective, but safety studies are
not available. A preparation containing
essential oils, called Buzz Away, has met extensive
testing for efficacy by the Environmental Protection
Agency, and should be available at most healthfood
stores. It has also been tested by The Good
Housekeeping Institute, which rated it as the most
effect natural insect repellent. (Made by Quantum,
Inc., web site
http://www.quantumhealth.com/ or call 1-800-448-1448.
DO NOT rely on Bug Zappers, which more
commonly kill off the good insects (they are far less
attractive to the biting insects than humans are).
The manner in which bugs are killed-- basically by being
exploded-- also means that bacteria inside them are
scattered for quite a distance, an unappealing and
possibly dangerous feature of their use.
For more information, call the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378.
 
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