How to choose the right mosquito repellent for children

Which mosquito repellents are suitable for children

The instructions of the American Academy of Pediatrics list A Parent’s Guide to Insect Repellent / American Academy of Pediatrics four effective remedies for bites of blood—sucking insects - mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks and fleas.

1. DEET-based repellents

The more diethyltoluamide the mosquito spray contains, the longer its effect lasts. So, funds with 5% of DEET provide G. Koren, D. Matsui, B. Bailey. DEET‑based insect repellents: safety implications for children and pregnant and lactating women / CMAJ protection up to 2 hours, from 10% — about 3 hours, from 15% — 5 hours and from 30% — 6 hours.

A higher content of the substance does not provide additional benefits, pediatricians do not advise buying such mosquito repellents for children. In addition, DEATH metal repellents are not suitable A Parent’s Guide to Insect Repellent / American Academy of Pediatrics babies under two months old.

2. Picaridin-based products

This synthetic substance acts in much the same way as DETA — it prevents blood-sucking insects from smelling prey.

Funds with 10-20% picaridine provide T. J. Naucke, R. Kröpke, G. Benner. Field evaluation of the efficacy of proprietary repellent formulations with IR3535 and picaridin against Aedes aegypti / Parasitology research 95% protection in the first 6 hours and 85% — 8-9 hours after application.

They are considered safe, but they require strict compliance with the instructions when applying.

3. Essential oil-based products

Repellents with lemon eucalyptus oil or 2% soybean oil can 1. A Parent’s Guide to Insect Repellent / American Academy of Pediatrics
2. M. S. Fradin, J. F. Day. Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents against Mosquito Bites / The New England Journal of Medicine provide protection from bites for 2-3 hours. At the same time, we are talking about insect repellents, and not pure essential oils.

Repellents with 10-12% citronella essential oil are less effective — it works M. S. Fradin, J. F. Day. Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents against Mosquito Bites / The New England Journal of Medicine only about 15-20 minutes, maximum — an hour.

According to the recommendations of Prevent Mosquito Bites / Centers of Disease Control and Prevention From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquito repellents with lemon eucalyptus oil (OLE) and one of its components — paramentanediol (PMD) are not suitable for children under three years old.

In addition, any essential oil can cause allergies in a child, although it is quite rare.

4. Permethrin-based products

Permethrin is a synthetic insecticide and acaricide that kills insects when in contact with them. It protects well from both mosquitoes and ticks.

Permethrin products are intended for the treatment of clothing and shoes, tents and sleeping bags. They should not be applied to the skin or sprayed on an already dressed child.

When using such compositions, it is necessary to process Mosquitoes, Ticks & Other Arthropods / Centers of Disease Control and Prevention things or camping equipment 24-48 hours before use, so that they have time to dry.

Unlike repellents, mosquito repellents with permethrin work really long. Even after washing, the thing treated with insecticide retains its protective properties.

Which mosquito repellents definitely won't help

Experts of the American Academy of Pediatrics do not advise A Parent’s Guide to Insect Repellent / American Academy of Pediatrics spending money:

• for bracelets containing synthetic repellents;
• garlic or vitamin B1;
• ultrasonic devices that supposedly repel insects.

Some fans of eco-friendly ways to fight bloodsuckers have birds or bats at home so that they hunt mosquitoes and flies. But this exotic option also cannot be considered an effective protection against bites.

How to apply mosquito repellents for children

When applying repellents, observe 1. A Parent’s Guide to Insect Repellent / American Academy of Pediatrics
2. Mosquito bite prevention. Protect against mosquito bites when traveling / Centers of Disease Control and Prevention several rules:

1. Read the instructions and follow all instructions. Do not neglect precautions. Do not apply more repellent than prescribed — this will not make the remedy more effective.
2. Use sprays or aerosols only outdoors. In closed rooms, the product may enter the respiratory tract.
3. Monitor the process of applying the repellent, even if the child is old enough to use it on his own.
4. Do not spray the spray in the child's face. First, moisten your hands with mosquito repellent and only then apply it to the skin with stroking movements. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
5. Do not use the repellent on skin areas with scratches, inflammation, irritation. Try to protect such areas in another way.
6. Treat only the outer part of children's clothing and exposed skin. Spray permethrin products only on things.

What to do after applying mosquito repellent for children

If you apply the product for the first time, monitor the condition of the baby's skin. If a rash, redness or other allergy symptoms appear, immediately wash off the composition with warm soap and water and consult a pediatrician.

To reduce the risks, doctors advise avoiding repeated application of the product, so choose a composition that immediately provides protection for the necessary time.

If you combine the DETA composition with sunscreen , first apply the latter, and after 20 minutes — repellent. Then update the product with SPF every 1.5–2 hours and after each bathing or profuse sweating. The repellent does not need to be applied again.

To use the mosquito repellent at a minimum, choose suitable clothing: trousers, a light shirt or a T-shirt with long sleeves, socks and closed shoes, a wide-brimmed hat or cap. If the child is in a stroller, put a mosquito net on it.

When you leave the place with insects, wash off the mosquito repellent from the baby's skin with warm water and soap. Wash his clothes before the next sock.