RepellAll - Insect repellents

Insect Repellents

As the name suggests, insect repellents ward off insects, thereby protecting you from insect bites. Normally, insect repellents are specific substances you need to apply on the exposed parts of your skin. Such repellents are most effective against insect-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease, bubonic plague, and West Nile fever.

Types of Insect Repellents

There are different types of insect repellents available. Some of them are made from natural sources like plants while some contain chemicals and are made synthetically. Normally synthetic repellents prove to be more lasting and effective. Yet, there are few plant-based repellents like natural herb mosquito coil and essential oil candle. These plant-based repellents are much better than synthetic repellents.

Insect repellents

Common insect repellents include:

• DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)

• Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil

• Icaridin or picaridin,

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus

• Nepetalactone, popular as ‘catnip oil’

• Citronella oil

• Permethrin

• Basil

• Camphor

• Castor oil

• Thyme

• Peppermint

• Fennel oil

• Rosemary

Working of Insect Repellents

Insect repellents do not kill insects. Instead, these repellents reduce your exposure to harmful insects. Most repellents work by masking your body odor. Applying insect repellents on your exposed skin changes your body odor to the insects in such a way that insects repel at your odor and hence move away. You thereby remain safe from outbreak of any insect-borne diseases.

Normally, insects, bugs, and mosquitoes use their feelers to identify human odor. As repellents change your body odor and you remain protected from insects, it is necessary to reapply repellents soon after a swim or if you sweat excessively. Most insect repellents deliver results only over a specific radius. Hence, even if you are wearing any repellent, you can see bugs and mosquitoes flying near you. However, they do not bite you.

Normally, insect repellents having a higher percentage of active ingredients like N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET, Picaridin, or KBR 3023 provide longer hours of protection. Permethrin is a specific exclusion. This repellent is actually a contact insecticide but proves effective against insect bites.

Precautionary Tips

Most insect repellants are safe for use. You can even use these repellents on skin of children. However, take care to apply only small amounts and preferably do not apply on hands of children, as it could lead to accidental ingestion or eye contact. Also, do not allow children to apply repellents by themselves. Keep repellents out of the reach of children.

You can apply sunscreen after applying insect repellent or the other way round. It is best to follow instructions for application as specifically mentioned. Nonetheless, do not combine sunscreen and insect repellent in a single bottle as both are two completely different substances. Again, you cannot apply repellent as frequently as you use sunscreen.

Sometimes, repellents could cause skin irritation. You should immediately restrict use of the specific repellent. You can try using repellent with lesser concentration of chemical. If irritation persists, it is best to stop use of repellent completely. Pregnant women should take care to avoid exposures to insect repellent as much as possible as the fetus may be vulnerable.

You should read the label of your repellent product carefully before use. Labels and directions for use differ across countries. Manufacturers specifically issue warning labels on repellents that are not safe for use on children.

You need to protect yourself against insect bites through use of insect repellent specifically at dusk and dawn as this is the main feeding time for most insects, bugs, and mosquitoes.

Read more on insect repellents:

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