Use DEET Safely

DEET is widely sold in different concentrations, usually as a lotion, spray, or wipe to be used on the skin. While DEET is effective at small concentrations, higher concentrations offer protection for a longer period of time. For example, about 5 percent DEET protects for about 90 minutes, while about 25 percent DEET may provide about five hours of protection. The highest recommended concentration is 30 percent. 

DEET offers important protection, but must be used safely. Here are some tips:

• Apply insect repellents according to label directions, only to exposed skin.
• If the label recommends applying the chemical to your clothing, be sure to follow the instructions.
• Apply only as often as the label recommends. Usually, that means only once a day.
• When you return indoors, shower or wash your skin with soap and water. Wash clothing to remove any remaining DEET.
• When applying DEET to children, apply it first to your hands and then to their faces and skin. Avoid their hands, eyes, and mouths.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products containing DEET not be used on children under the age of 2 months.
• Sunscreens and products containing DEET can be used together. It is better to use individual products rather than a combination product; usually, DEET should be used only once a day while sunscreen needs to be re-applied more often.

If you get insect repellent in your eyes, rinse them in the shower or under running water for 15 minutes, then call the National Capital Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

If someone swallows insect repellent, give them a small amount of water to drink, then call the Poison Center right away.

There are other important steps you can take to avoid insect bites.

To avoid mosquito bites:

• Limit your outdoor time around dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wearing long pants, long sleeves, and hats may also help.
• Mosquito netting can be used on carriages and infant carriers.
• Eliminate sources of standing water in which mosquitoes can breed.

To avoid tick bites:

• Wear light-colored long sleeved shirts and long pants. Tuck pants legs into socks.
• Check all areas of your skin, including your scalp, after returning indoors. If you find a tick, remove it carefully by grabbing the head with tweezers and pulling gently.
• Call the Poison Center for further advice: 1-800-222-1222.