In the hot summer, it is the season of reptiles and flying insects again. With the emergence of mosquitoes, ants and lice, finding an insect repellent is necessary but also quite troublesome, but the West Nile virus and Lyme disease caused by insects are even more troublesome. Take a look at 15 questions on the safe use of insect repellent to help you through a summer free from insect troubles!
1. Why use insect repellent?
Using insect repellent is an effective way to prevent insect or tick-borne diseases. Mosquito bites can cause West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever and encephalitis, and a small tick can cause Lyme disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends the use of insect repellents to prevent West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. In most cases, malaria in the United States is brought from other parts of the world.
2. Does how play a role in insect repellent?
Many insects, such as mosquitoes, are attracted by the smell of people’s skin and the carbon dioxide they breathe. Insect repellent contains a component that makes people unattractive. But insect repellents do not kill insects. Insect repellents are only effective in a small area of their treated surfaces, so people can still see floaters nearby.
People will need insect repellent very much in the hot months. In the tropics, we may need it every day.
3. How uses insect repellent?
When you are outdoors, you can spray some insect repellent on your bare skin. When you return indoors, wash the sprayed skin with soap and water, especially after repeated application. Do not apply insect repellent to wounds or directly, spray it on your hands and wipe your face but not directly on your face.
Choose one that can protect a lot of time when you are outdoors. It is best to use insect repellent only outdoors to avoid inhaling spray.
4. What else can be done to avoid being bitten by insects?
You can spray insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on your clothes. However, note that DEET will dirty clothes. You can also specially prepare a set of permethrin-containing clothes, insect nets, sleeping bags, shoes and boots. Don’t use picaridine directly on your skin.
You can also limit the time outside, especially at dawn and dusk, the peak period of mosquito feeding.
Is insect repellent safe?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of proven clinical trial products and insect repellents containing active ingredients registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These mosquito repellents containing DEET and picaridine can be used on skin and clothing.
EPA registered insect repellent will not cause serious side effects and must be used according to instructions.
6. DEET is what?
DEET, or N, N-diethylm-benzamide, is the best mosquito repellent. DEET can effectively prevent mosquitoes, ticks, chigger mites, fleas and flies. The concentration range of DEET is from 5% to 100%, but the concentration above 30% has not been proved to be more effective.
The 34% Ultrathon reagent is a long-acting formula that can provide 6-12 hours of protection. Retail brands containing DEET include Off, Cutter and Sawyer.
7. Is DEET safe for children or infants?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that DEET is safe for children and infants over 2 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics said that the insect repellent used by children should not contain more than 30% DEET. Try to avoid long-term overuse or oral administration, which may cause brain damage.
There is no evidence that children who use DEET according to instructions will have serious diseases. However, once they come into contact with wounds, it is best to wash them with soap and water.
8. Should how use insect repellent for children?
Parents should consider their children’s outdoor time, exposure to mosquitoes and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area when choosing to use insect repellent. Key points to keep in mind are:
Spray insect repellent into your own hands and then rub it on your child.
Avoid spraying it on children’s eyes and mouth, and use it as little as possible around their ears.
Avoid insect repellent rubbing on the wound;
Do not use in clothes;
The sprayed clothes should be washed.
Clean your skin when you return to the room.
The insect repellent is kept out of reach of children.
9. Can pregnant and nursing women use insect repellent?
The answer is yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that pregnant or lactating women do not need additional preventive measures when using DEET or PCARRIDIN, but standard preventive measures and usage methods should be implemented. Pregnant or lactating women who use DEET or PCARRIDIN have not reported adverse events.
Pregnant and lactating women have problems with the normal use of any drugs, please contact your healthcare provider.
10. Is picaridin also an effective insect repellent?
Picaridin, also known as KBR3023, is also an effective insect repellent for flies, mosquitoes, chigger mites and ticks when used at a concentration of 5% to 20%. A study shows that Picaridin is as effective as 19% ULTRATHON brand DEET lotion. One advantage of Picaridin over DEET is that it does not damage plastic or fabric.
There are a number of brands of pikaredin available on the skin. These include Cutter and Advanced Natrapel.
11. Are there any natural insect repellents?
OLE, or lemon eucalyptus oil (p-menthane 3, 8-diol), is an EPA registered plant insect repellent. In an experiment to study malaria, OLE provided 6 hours of mosquito repellent effect. Children under 3 years old are not allowed to use OLE. In the United States, OLE was compared with DEET and found to provide mosquito repellent protection similar to DEET.
OLE products include Repel Eucalyptus and Cutter Eucalyptus. But some consumers will complain about the smell of OLE.
12. Is Avon Rejuvenation an insect repellent?
Many skin lotions contain IR3535, which is often sold in combination with sunscreen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend the use of combination products because sunscreens are often more effective than insect repellents. Studies have questioned the effectiveness of 7.5% IR3535.
IR3535 can be added to toner and spray. Products containing IR3535 include Avon SSS Insecticidal Lotion Plus and Bull Frog Mosquito Repellent.
13. Can I spray insect repellent on my clothes to strengthen protection?
Permethrin can be used in clothes, but not directly on the skin. Permethrin is an insect repellent that can be used in clothes, mosquito nets, tents and sleeping bags. It is still effective within a few weeks after repeated washing.
Permethrin can be used as spray for clothes, insect nets, sleeping bags, shoes and boots. One permethrin brand is Sawyer Advanced Garment Mosquito Repellent.
14. What are the common side effects of insect repellent?
If used according to instructions, serious side effects are extremely rare. The most common reactions are skin allergy and eye irritation.
If you suspect that you have skin reactions, please stop using the product, wash with soap and water, and call the local hospital. If insect repellent splashes into eyes, please rinse with water immediately and contact the local hospital.
15. Can I use DEET and sunscreen at the same time?
Yes, but use sunscreen before repellent and follow each product instruction. If you use a combination of sunscreen and repellent lotion, it may be necessary to reapply a sunscreen because sunscreen will be used more frequently. Because it contains mosquito repellent, repeated use of this combination will often lead to toxic and side effects.
Swimming or sweating may reduce the effective time of these products and may need to be reused.