The Truth About DEET and Kids

Mosquitoes, ticks, black flies and other insects are a frustrating part of nature. There is nothing more nerve racking than looking down to see your child's tender skin covered in mosquitoes. Before you reach for the insect repellent to keep the pesky insects away, make sure that you know the facts about DEET.

DEET, diethylltoluamide, is an ingredient in many United States-manufactured insected repellents. When you apply DEET to your child's skin, more than half of the DEET is absorbed into your child's skin and rapidly enters the bloodstream. It is easily absorbed into the skin but hard to get out. Portions of the chemical will be stored in your child's skin for months. Actually, some of the DEET may never be completely eliminated. Frequent use can cause toxic effects and the continued use of DEET has been linked to severe posionings that have caused brain damage in children. More than five thousand poisonings are reported each year, mainly in children under the age of six. DEET can also cause irritability, lethargy, dizziness, headaches, nausea, brain swelling, cardiorespiratory arrest, skin rashes that scar, muscle cramps and convulsions.

DEET repellents come in a range of concentrations-from 7 to 100 percent by volume. Children should never be exposed to more than 10% DEET. Usually products with under 10% DEET will be designated for the use of children. If you must use DEET as a repellent, choose wisely and safely. Under NO circumstance should you expose your child to concentrations higher than 10%. There is simply no need to risk your child's health when there are methods that are equally effective and safer for your child's health.