Insect Repellants

We need 'em. The recommendation for kids is to use a product which contains less than 10% DEET (Diethlytoluamide) and avoid frequent re-applications. Apparently there have been a few cases of neurologic toxicity with DEET toxicity, despite the fact that millions of children have used it without any problems at all. Those products meeting the requirements are Off!Skintastic for Kids, Repel, and Skeedaddle. DEET free products don't work very well.

To prevent bad things form happening because of accidental ingestions of DEET, try these things:

• Only use products formulated for children with less than 10% DEET
• Put the insect repellant mainly on clothing and shoes
• Don't put any of the product on the kids hands. That way they won't eat it or stick it in their eyes.
• Avoid areas that are sunburned or are otherwise irritated because the DEET can be more easily absorbed from those areas.
• If you put the product on the skin, wash it off when the kids get indoors.
• One application can last 4-8 hours. You shouldn't have to put it on more than twice a day. The  combination sunscreen/insect repellant products should be avoided. Sunscreen is meant to be applied frequently and insect repellant shouldn't be. And DEET degrades sunscreen.

Check out the page on insect bites for more information.

updated May 22, 2007