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DEET's Downside
- By Consumer Reports
- Published 10/4/2008
- Organic Baby Skin Care
- Unrated
Because DEET is so successful at repelling mosquitoes and flies, beleaguered outdoors people may be tempted to slather themselves with the stuff. That's not a good idea. DEET is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and medical reports have shown that absorption of DEET sometimes has serious consequences.
Among the most dramatic instances: Six girls under age nine developed toxic encephalopathy, a swelling of the brain that can cause disorientation, convulsions, and death. Three of the girls died. DEET repellents had been applied copiously to most of the girls for weeks or months, and one girl had a metabolic disease that apparently made DEET's effects worse. But another victim had been wearing insect repellent for just two days. More recent reports have noted brief seizures in five males-four boys under age eight and one adult-after they used DEET repellents of varying concentrations, typically only once or twice.
DEET can apparently cause less serious neurological problems as well. Employees of the Everglades National Park have reported episodes of confusion, irritability and insomnia after repeated and prolonged use of DEET. A more common side effect is a rash that can occur in people with sensitive skin. To see if you're susceptible, CU's medical consultants suggest testing a repellent before you need to use it. Apply a small amount to your forearm, then check for redness over the next day or two.
Despite the known risks of DEET, companies are still selling very high DEET repellents: In our shoppers' survey of 42 products, about a third were at least 40 percent DEET; about a fourth were 95 to 100 percent DEET. We tested Deep Woods Off for Maximum Protection, 100 percent DEET, and Repel Sportsmen formula, 55 percent DEET.
Although those products were very effective, fending off mosquitoes for more than seven hours and stable flies for more than 4 1/2 hours, we can't recommend them. They contain much more DEET than most people need. In addition, when it came to repelling ticks, both were as inept as lower-DEET products.
The Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association, a trade group, says that adverse reactions to DEET are very rare and should be viewed in the context of perhaps 200 million people worldwide who use deep repellents each year. Still, it's wise to avoid unnecessary exposure to DEET. You can do that in several ways:
- Use a low-DEET repellent and apply it sparingly. (We found products with 20 to 40 percent DEET that were effective when we used the equivalent of two to four tablespoons for arms, legs and face). If bugs don't respond to a thin film of repellent put on a bit more.
- Don't apply repellent near eyes, on lips or on broken skin. (To apply a spray to your face, spray your palm, then spread the repellent carefully).
- Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and don't use it near food.
- Once it's not needed, wash repellent off with soap and water.
- On children, use a product containing less than 20 percent DEET, and keep it out of their reach. Don't apply repellent to a young child's hands, which often wind up in the mouth.
- Consider treating your clothes instead of your skin. But note that DEET can damage spandex, rayon and acetate.
DEET free insect repellants are available at Atlantis Natural
Among the most dramatic instances: Six girls under age nine developed toxic encephalopathy, a swelling of the brain that can cause disorientation, convulsions, and death. Three of the girls died. DEET repellents had been applied copiously to most of the girls for weeks or months, and one girl had a metabolic disease that apparently made DEET's effects worse. But another victim had been wearing insect repellent for just two days. More recent reports have noted brief seizures in five males-four boys under age eight and one adult-after they used DEET repellents of varying concentrations, typically only once or twice.
DEET can apparently cause less serious neurological problems as well. Employees of the Everglades National Park have reported episodes of confusion, irritability and insomnia after repeated and prolonged use of DEET. A more common side effect is a rash that can occur in people with sensitive skin. To see if you're susceptible, CU's medical consultants suggest testing a repellent before you need to use it. Apply a small amount to your forearm, then check for redness over the next day or two.
Despite the known risks of DEET, companies are still selling very high DEET repellents: In our shoppers' survey of 42 products, about a third were at least 40 percent DEET; about a fourth were 95 to 100 percent DEET. We tested Deep Woods Off for Maximum Protection, 100 percent DEET, and Repel Sportsmen formula, 55 percent DEET.
Although those products were very effective, fending off mosquitoes for more than seven hours and stable flies for more than 4 1/2 hours, we can't recommend them. They contain much more DEET than most people need. In addition, when it came to repelling ticks, both were as inept as lower-DEET products.
The Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association, a trade group, says that adverse reactions to DEET are very rare and should be viewed in the context of perhaps 200 million people worldwide who use deep repellents each year. Still, it's wise to avoid unnecessary exposure to DEET. You can do that in several ways:
- Use a low-DEET repellent and apply it sparingly. (We found products with 20 to 40 percent DEET that were effective when we used the equivalent of two to four tablespoons for arms, legs and face). If bugs don't respond to a thin film of repellent put on a bit more.
- Don't apply repellent near eyes, on lips or on broken skin. (To apply a spray to your face, spray your palm, then spread the repellent carefully).
- Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and don't use it near food.
- Once it's not needed, wash repellent off with soap and water.
- On children, use a product containing less than 20 percent DEET, and keep it out of their reach. Don't apply repellent to a young child's hands, which often wind up in the mouth.
- Consider treating your clothes instead of your skin. But note that DEET can damage spandex, rayon and acetate.
DEET free insect repellants are available at Atlantis Natural
