Insect Repellent For Babies
A Complete Guide to Insect Repellent for Babies
When spring arrives, you know that insects are not far behind, making it a good time to find an answer to the question: What is the best insect repellent for babies? The most bites come from mosquitoes and these nasty insects can carry such diseases as West Nile virus, malaria, and yellow fever.
Some babies and toddlers, just like many older children and adults are like magnets for mosquitoes and other biting insects. Children often scratch these bites to stop the itching and it can cause swelling and infection. The insects are attracted to smells given off by humans. Most scientists believe the biggest attraction is carbon dioxide.
When it comes to infants six months and under, no insect repellent for babies should be used. The skin of newborns is simply too sensitive. The CDCP, Centers for Disease control and Prevention, recommends that for children, ages six months to two years, no more than one application per day of insect repellent should be applied.
When it comes to what to use for an insect repellent for babies, there is much controversy. The most popular insect repellents and probably the most effective ones contain DEET ((N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide). Repellents contain DEET usually have from a low of 10% to a high of 30% DEET. This insect repellent is effective against mosquitoes as well as fleas, ticks, and biting flies. A 10% DEET repellent protects for around two hours.
DEET is approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for use in children over the age of two months and for adults. If your child is under two months and you need to go outside, you can try a solution such as covering your baby’s stroller or carriage with mosquito netting. Keep your baby covered with clothing to prevent bites as well.
Several organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, do recommend DEET protection on children but advise never going over 10%. Also, do not use DEET with a sunscreen.
There are a few other choices when it comes to insect repellent for babies two months and over. Essential oils from plants can also protect against insect bites. These include cedar, eucalyptus, citronella and soybean. These repellents only last for a short time, such as under two hours.
Permethrin is very effective against fleas and ticks and protecting from Lyme disease. It has a few drawbacks, however. It cannot be applied to the skin, only clothing and it doesn’t work at all against mosquitoes. It is a good chemical for spraying the outside of a tent or sleeping bag.
The newest insect repellent has not yet been tested enough to prove if it works safely as an insect repellent for babies. Thought to be as effective as DEET overall, Picaridin has no color or odor. More research is needed on this substance, also known as KBR3023. While the CDC has given Picaridin the go ahead as a DEET substitute, it is not yet recommended at all by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
When using DEET or other insect repellents on infants and children, never spray it directly on the skin. Spray or rub it first on your own hands and apply it to the child. Always keep repellents away from the child’s hands, mouth, nose and eyes. Do not use an insect repellent near food and always wash it off immediately when you come in from the outside.
Ways to naturally avoid mosquitoes include staying in during the hours of dusk and dawn, wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts. And, don’t spend time near standing water. Be as safe as you can with insect repellents for babies and, for that matter, all insect repellents. Use them as sparingly as possible.