DEET is one of the few repellents proven to be effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and other pesky insects. But given the strength of this chemical, how safe is DEET for humans?
DEET, which chemists call N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, is found in at least 120 products registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These products include insect repellent sprays, sprays, lotions, and wipes.
Since DEET was first publicly introduced in 1957, the Environmental Protection Agency has conducted two extensive safety reviews of the chemical.
But Bethany Huelskoetter, APRN, DNP, a family medicine practitioner at OSF Healthcare, says some patients avoid these products, preferring those marketed as “natural” or “herbal.”
While these alternative repellents may be marketed as less toxic, their repellent effects are generally not as long lasting as DEET.
”Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid chemical repellents. DEET is a very effective repellent. Of all the repellents on the market, DEET is the best value for the money,” Huelskoetter told Verywell.
Use an effective repellent to reduce the risk of itching and discomfort from insect bites. But it can also be a preventative health measure: Nearly half a million people develop Lyme disease each year after a tick bite, and an estimated 7 million people have developed the disease since the mosquito-borne West Nile virus first appeared in the U.S. in 1999. People infected with the virus.
According to Consumer Reports, DEET is consistently rated as the most effective active ingredient in insect repellents at concentrations of at least 25%. Generally speaking, the higher the concentration of DEET in a product, the longer the protective effect lasts.
Other repellents include picaridin, permethrin, and PMD (oil of lemon eucalyptus).
A 2023 study that tested 20 essential oil repellents found that essential oils rarely lasted longer than an hour and a half, and some lost effectiveness after less than a minute. By comparison, the repellent DEET can repel mosquitoes for at least 6 hours.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), adverse effects from DEET are rare. In a 2017 report, the agency said that 88 percent of DEET exposures reported to poison control centers did not result in symptoms requiring treatment by the health care system. About half of people experienced no adverse effects, and most of the rest had only mild symptoms, such as drowsiness, skin irritation, or a temporary cough, that quickly went away.
Severe reactions to DEET often result in neurological symptoms such as seizures, poor muscle control, aggressive behavior, and cognitive impairment.
”Considering that millions of people in the United States use DEET each year, there are very few reports of serious health effects from DEET use,” the ATSDR report said.
You can also avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and cleaning or avoiding any insect breeding areas, such as standing water, your yard, and other areas you frequent.
If you choose to use a product containing DEET, follow the directions on the product label. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should use the lowest concentration of DEET necessary to maintain protection — no more than 50 percent.
To minimize the risk of inhaling repellents, the CDC recommends using repellents in well-ventilated areas rather than in enclosed spaces. To apply to your face, spray the product on your hands and rub it onto your face.
She adds: “You want your skin to be able to breathe after application, and with proper ventilation you won’t have skin irritation.”
DEET is safe for children, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children under 10 not apply repellent themselves. Children under two months of age should not use products containing DEET.
It is important to call a poison control center right away if you inhale or swallow a product containing DEET, or if the product gets in your eyes.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to control pests, especially in areas where mosquitoes and ticks are common, DEET is a safe and effective option (as long as it’s used according to the label). Natural alternatives may not provide the same level of protection, so consider the environment and risk of insect-borne diseases when choosing a repellent.
Post time: Dec-03-2024