There are several types of bug repellents. If you live in a geographic area where there are not many mosquitoes, you may decide to use a mild, natural repellent such as natural oils, but for those living in areas heavy with ticks and mosquitoes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a product with at least 20% DEET that protects for several hours.
According to a recent report by the CDC, there are several types of repellents that work well and are not very toxic-when used as directed. Here are the 4 ingredients the CDC recommends for protection against vector borne diseases;
1.Picaridin 20% found in products such as Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan (for use outside the United States)- is not strong in odor or irritants, provides all day protection from mosquito and ticks, but was NOT found to be as effective as DEET in some studies.
2.DEET 20%-has been commonly criticized for causing severe neurological symptoms such as seizures, but according to the CDC, DEET is a “reasonable” selection when considering the alternative risks of Lyme and West Nile. The rate of adverse effects in DEET was determined to be very low in an EPA study-one per one hundred million people were adversely affected.
3.IR3535 products such as Coleman Skin Smart and Skin So Soft Bug Guard- were found to be safe overall, but just like DEET they can cause eye irritation. The report also stated that this product can “melt plastic and damage fabric,” and it must be used in concentrations higher than 20% to be effective.
4.Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus products such as Repel and Off Botanicals -according to the CDC report eucalyptus extracts are the most effective of all the botanical products. Products containing 30% “Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus” were found to provide as many as six hours of protection. This product was found to irritate the lungs and was NOT recommended on kids under 3.
The CDC report warns consumers to avoid DEET products with any more than 30% concentration, stating these products offer longer periods of protection, NOT better protection.
As with the use of any chemical product, always consult the physician before using a commercial brand of repellent.
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