Laramie Pediatrics, pc

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A Guide to Insect  Repellents

   With the concern of WEST NILE VIRUS now a problem during spring and summers, careful use of insect repellents is more important than ever.Last year Wyoming had about 250 cases of West Nile, none of them in healthy children or infants. While there is no specific treatment for West Nile, it is preventable using proper insect repellents safely.

Insect Repellents:

   DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-tolumide)) is the most effective repellent available. Other products like Skin-so-Soft and Skinfantastic may work in a few patients, but not as reliably as DEET. Some repellents contain as little as 2-3% DEET, others as much as 90% DEET. There is no difference between how 30% or higher products work. Below 10% the effectiveness goes to zero. 30% is as safe as 10%.

   Safe use of DEET has been a worry for use in infants and children. There is no study showing it less safe than in adults; the only reported toxicity with DEET has been in overdosing or ingestion cases.

   DEET works only when sprayed on skin; it doesn’t work on clothing. It takes 5 minutes or more to bind to skin and is waterproof and only needs reapplying every  6 hours. It’s easily washed off skin with soap and water.

Recommendations:

DEET Repellent Use

   DEET should not be used on infants under 2 months of age. There’s uncertainty about its safety and skin absorption. Don’t use combination products of DEET and sunscreen—their re-application times differ. It is better to use them separately. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before DEET.

   DEET concentrations of 10-30% are the most recommended in infants and children. Using higher concentrations may not be as safe and no more effective. Use lotions instead of sprays so you avoid eye contact.

   You should never apply to mouth, mucus membranes or fingers. Never apply more than once a day in infants under 2 years. It's a good idea to wash DEET off after returning indoors with soap and water.

  You may apply Permethrin (the brand name is called Repel Permanone) to clothing, tents and sleeping bags. It’s an insecticide, not repellant and should not be used on skin, but it stays effective on cloth materials for several days.

Contact our office if you have any questions about West Nile Virus or insect repellents.

Kent M. Kleppinger, MD

Laramie Pediatrics, PC

1252 North 22^nd Street

Laramie, Wyoming, 82072

(307)-745-3704

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Send mail to Klep@Laramiekids.com with questions or comments about this web site.