Question: Are Insect Repellents Safe for Kids?
Answer:
Kids hate being bothered by bugs when they play outside, but the thought of smearing their delicate skin with insect repellents makes some parents uneasy too. The American Academy of Pediatrics says these are the safest ways to keep bugs at bay:
- Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks, which can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
- The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over 2 months of age is to use a product containing no more than 30 percent DEET. Check labels on insect repellents when buy; the concentration of DEET may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. (The higher the concentration of DEET, the longer the product's protection lasts.) DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
- Avoid combination sunscreen/insect repellent products. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but insect repellents should only be applied once a day.
- Apply DEET sparingly on exposed skin (do not apply to young children's hands, or around the eyes or mouths of a child of any age). Do not use under clothing.
- Avoid spraying in enclosed areas; do not use DEET near food.
- Children should wash off insect repellents when they come indoors.
- Avoid using scented soaps, perfumes, or hair sprays on your child, or dressing her in bright colors or flowery prints.
- Stay away from areas where insects nest or congregate, such as in stagnant pools of water, near uncovered foods, and in gardens where flowers are in bloom.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics Summer Safety Tips, April 2009.
Follow safety precautions when using DEET on children, American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health, 2003.
