It is nearly inevitable that kids, who are drawn to the outdoor freedom of summer, are going to deal with mosquitoes and other biting insects. To help keep the bug bites at bay, many parents apply insect repellent sprays to their children. Of the variety of sprays on the market, those containing DEET are shown to be the best at preventing bug bites. However, many parents are unsure of how to use DEET repellents properly.
The Safety of DEET Insect Repellents
It certainly is true that over the years, professionals have questioned whether DEET is safe for use on adults and children alike. In 1998 and 2005 DEET was re-evaluated. It was determined that not only is the chemical is safe for human use, but it is the best product on the market for preventing bug bites. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics maintains that bug repellents only be applied to children one time per day.
Always Follow Manufacturer's Instructions
First and foremost, parents need to make sure that they are using the repellent as intended by the manufacturer. It is profoundly important to read the label, both the directions for use and the warnings. When DEET products are misused, they are more likely to cause harm. Since directions and warnings can vary from product to product, parents should get into the routine of reading the labels of any chemical products they intend on applying to their child.
Choose the Appropriate Concentration of DEET
DEET products come in quite the wide range of concentration levels. At the lower end, DEET levels may be slightly under 5%. At the upper end, it is possible to find 100% DEET concentrations.
However, a higher DEET concentration does not necessarily mean the product will work better. What it does mean that it might work longer. For the most part, children would benefit from using a product that is around 10% DEET. Studies show that this level should work several hours. Higher levels of DEET may be totally unnecessary for children.
Applying the Bug Spray
When parents help children apply bug sprays, it is advisable to make sure that they are not only applying it to the children's exposed skin, but also to their clothing. Additionally, most DEET products are not meant to be applied under clothing. DEET should also not be applied to the hands, near the mouth or eyes, or to open cuts or damaged skin.
Use on Infants
Up until 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that DEET not be used on infants younger than 6 months of age. Following the re-evaluations of the product, they moved the cut off to 2 months of age. However, parents should definitely be cautious about applying it to the hands to prevent ingestion as babies often suck on their fingers.
Combination Sunscreen Products
Though there are several combination insect repellent/sunscreens on the market, parents may want to think twice about using them on children. The reason being, sunscreens need to be applied several times a day, and kids should only receive one application of DEET per day. Though a seemingly convenient product, it may not be practical for use on children.
Washing Up After Use
When the child is done playing outdoors and definitely before eating, parents should be sure to have the child wash off the areas where DEET was applied. Additionally, parents may want to change the child's clothing.
DEET remains the best available product at preventing insect bites. Though deemed safe for use on children, parents should always be clear on how best to apply and use insect repellents. When used properly, children can enjoy the outdoors without the annoyance of itchy bug bites.
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