Many areas where children like to play harbor ticks, small parasitic arachnids that can latch onto your child and feed on blood. Ticks are not only a nuisance. They also spread diseases, such as Lyme disease. To reduce the risk of a tick bite, child-safe repellents are available. The most widely used repellent approved for kids is DEET, which is available in spray, lotion, aerosol, cream or towelette form.
History
Originally developed in 1946, DEET was first used as an insect repellent for the United States military to protect personnel stationed in areas where insect-borne diseases were prevalent. Dr. Kirby C. Stafford III, Chief Entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, describes DEET as an effective insect repellent with a "remarkable safety record," with fewer than 50 cases of adverse reaction since 1960. Today, DEET continues as the primary active ingredient in the majority of tick repellents available on the market for both adults and children.
Function
According to Science Daily, the most likely reason DEET helps prevent insect bites is that it interferes with chemical receptors in the olfactory system of insects. The chemical composition of DEET blocks the ability of the tick to sense the odor of human skin, thereby making the potential host virtually undetectable to the tick. This can greatly reduce the risk of a tick attaching itself to your child and biting if it does get on your child.
Effectiveness
DEET concentrations in any given product determine the effectiveness of the repellent on children. Repellents with a 10 percent concentration of DEET are effective for about two hours after application, while a 24 percent concentration of DEET provides protection for five hours, on average, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. DEET is not 100 percent effective at preventing tick bites and certain species of ticks, such as the blacklegged tick, are less likely to be affected by DEET, states a report from the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station.
Application
Apply DEET only on exposed areas of your child's skin and the outside of clothing. Do not apply the repellent under clothing. When using a DEET-based lotion on your child, apply the product to your hands first, then to the skin of your child. Avoid applying DEET near the eyes or mouth, or on the hands and feet of infants, who often place them in their mouths. Do not apply DEET on cuts, scrapes or skin that is irritated.
Age Restrictions
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are no legal age restrictions for using DEET-based tick repellents. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, recommends not using products containing DEET on children under two months of age. For older infants, children and adults, products with concentrations of DEET between 10 and 30 percent are effective at reducing the risk of a tick bite.
Precautions
Unlike sunscreens or other skin care products that must be repeatedly applied, DEET is not water soluble and remains on the skin. Do not apply DEET to your child more than once a day. When you return indoors, wash any areas of your child's skin treated with DEET with soap and water. Avoid using DEET-based sprays in enclosed areas or near food or drink items.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Follow Safety Precautions When Using DEET on Children
- Centers for Disease Control: Protect Yourself From Tick Bites
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: Tick Management Handbook
- Environmental Protection Agency: The Insect Repellent DEET
- Science Daily: Chemicals Like DEET In Bug Spray Work By Masking Human Odors
