Repellents for insects, how to use them correctly?
During the summer, a visit is usually received from friends whose presence does not end up being well received at all. We refer to insects, those animals that have to fill us with pecks and to make our spleen irritate both the liquid they inject us and the itch they generate, which makes us have to scratch continuously to relieve ourselves.
However, these visits can be counteracted by using certain repellents that keep the aforementioned insects at bay. But, do we know how to use these products correctly? In case you have some doubts, here are some tips from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, AEP, so that if you decide to use these articles, do it correctly.
What are repellents and what types are there?
AEP defines repellents as chemical compounds that, once applied to the skin, prevent insects from attaching to the dermis. In this way it is possible to avoid that they make the sting. There are many of these products on the market, pediatricians point to these as the most used and depending on their composition we find:
- DEET (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide): repellent widely used throughout the world. It is effective against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and flies. They are available in lotions, creams and sprays, these products can contain from 15 to 45% of this chemical compound.
- Picaridin / icaridin: insect repellent widely used, also effective for many types of insects and arthropods.
- IR-3535, pyrethrin, citridiol and citronella: they are other types of topical repellents and proven efficacy.
- Electronics devices They emit sharp sounds and bracelets impregnated with repellents: their effectiveness has not been proven as insect repellents, so the AEP does not recommend its use.
- In areas with too much presence of insects you can spray the clothing with insecticides that carry permethrin, in addition to using repellents in exposed areas of the body.
Can it be used in children and pregnant women?
AEP clarifies that while most repellents can be used in children, it is discouraged to use DEET compound products in children under 2 months. Pediatricians also recommend avoiding these articles as much as possible in children under 2 years old, giving priority to the use of mosquito nets. In other cases, such as icaridin, if its effects have not been studied in children under 6 months, this entity states that some organisms do not recommend it.
The pediatricians They also give a series of guidelines for use in children:
- Do not allow children to apply it, adults should always do it.
- The adult has to throw it in his hands and then apply it on the child.
- Avoid the repellent contact with the eyes and mouth of children. It is also advised to apply it with caution in the areas near the ear.
- It is discouraged to apply it on the hands and fingers of the child since these areas can be put in the mouth.
- Do not apply body areas covered in clothing. If applied to garments, it is recommended to wash them before using them again.
According to AEP There is also no risk of using repellents in pregnant women and during the period of lactation. In these cases, as in the rest of the people, it will be enough to take into account a series of recommendations when using these products:
- Always read and follow the instructions of the repellent.
- If it is the first time a repellent is used, it is recommended to apply a little product on a small area of the skin to see if it produces a reaction or not.
- Use only what is necessary to cover areas not covered by clothing.
- In the case of aerosols, never direct them towards the face. Always apply the repellent on your hands and then spread it around this area of the body.
- Never apply repellent on wounds, cuts or irritated skin.
- After using the repellent and returning home, it is important to wash the skin with soap and water, especially if you are going to use these products for several days.
Can they be combined with sunscreens?
Especially in summer some excursions require that in addition to protecting against insects, we must prevent our skin from sunburn. In this sense the AEP ensures that there is no risk in using both products simultaneously, although specifies that you should apply first the sunscreen and then the repellent, since the sunscreen may contain substances that attract certain insects.
Pediatricians also discourage the use of products that contain a sunscreen and a repellent. The AEP clarifies that this is because anti-insect products do not require as continuous application as sun creams, so a continuous exposure of our skin to its chemical compounds can end up causing irritation and problems in the dermis.
Damián Montero
