Consumers: Use Caution When Applying Insect Repellents Containing DEET

Improper use of repellents containing DEET can be harmful to children

June 25, 2007 -- LANSING - The Michigan departments of Community Health and Agriculture remind consumers to use caution when applying insect repellents to avoid mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks. Excessive use of products containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) can result in adverse health effects, particularly in children, if not applied correctly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Environmental Health said repellents with low concentrations of DEET can be applied to infants more than two months old. For children, insect repellents containing DEET, with a concentration of 10 percent, are as safe as other products when used according product labels.

When using a repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and rub your hands on the child. Avoid a child’s eyes and mouth and use it sparingly around their ears. Do not apply repellent to a child’s hands or allow young children to apply it themselves. Keep repellents out of reach of children, and do not apply repellent to skin under clothing.

The following guidelines help reduce the risk of adverse affects of insect repellents:

* Read all the label directions before using the product, follow them carefully and make sure it’s registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or MDA.
* Use repellents sparingly. Low concentrations (10 percent or below) are effective and may be preferred in most situations. Start with a low-concentration product and reapply if necessary.
* Once the child is back indoors and/or the repellent is no longer necessary, wash the treated skin with soap and water.
* Do not use repellents on broken, irritated skin or apply to eyes and mouth.
* Do not apply to a child’s hands that often end up in their mouth. Avoid breathing sprays and do not use near food.

Although reactions to repellents are rare, exposure to excessive levels of DEET may cause headaches, restlessness, crying spells, mania, staggering, rapid breathing, convulsions and possibly coma. Consumers should immediately stop using a repellent if they experience any of the above symptoms and contact a poison control center or emergency room if swallowed.

For more information, or to find out if a repellant is registered, please call MDA at (517) 373-9750.

Source: Michigan departments of Community Health and Agriculture