Best Mosquito Repellent For Baby
The Best Bug Spray For Babies And Kids
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Spending time with your little ones in the Great Outdoors is wonderful that is, until the mosquitoes come out to play. Itchy bugs can be a nightmare for parents. However, if your area is prone to insect-related disease, you need to make sure that the bug spray doesn’t get infected. This is why bug spray should be a part of every parent’s medicine collection. What is the best insect spray for children and babies? We have our top choices for mosquito repellent that is safe for baby and children.
Dos and Don’ts in DEET Bug Spray for Kids Best insect sprays for children
What To Know About Deet Bug Spray
DEET is the common name for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. Developed by the United States Army in 1946, DEET is the most common ingredient in US-sold insect repellents and generally considered the gold standard in effectiveness. DEET bug spray must be applied to skin. By messing with the neurons on their antennae and mouths, DEET forces mosquitoes, flies, gnats and chiggers to back up and buzz off.
But is DEET safe? While rumors about potential DEET dangers have been circulating for years, after much research, the conclusion is that DEET is indeed safe for babies 2 months and older (and everyone else, for that matter), as long as you use it as directed. CharlRee’ SlaughterAtiemo is a Baltimore-based pediatrician, FAAP and the founder of CayTer 2 You Baby. This service delivers travel-friendly baby gear. “DEET has been well researched for human use and is safe and effective for anyone over 2 months of age.” Especially when you need to prevent insect-related diseases, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says DEET is the best bug spray for babies. Lyme Disease can be transmitted by ticks. In addition, mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus and Zika.
DEET can be found in many concentrations. They range from 4 to 100 %. AAP recommends that children aged 2 to 6 months old use bug spray with 30 percent or more DEET. Although the protection provided by different concentrations is nearly equal, there are differences in how much time it lasts. A 10% DEET bug spray protects you for only two hours. The 30 percent protection lasts about five hours. Studies have found that repellents with higher than 30% DEET don’t offer additional protection. You should choose the lowest DEET concentration for you to get the maximum protection. Some people may develop skin reactions from using excessive or high amounts of DEET. DEET bug Spray is safe for infants 2 months or older.
What You Should and Don’t Do When Spraying Bug Spray
Figuring out which are the best baby-safe bug sprays is only half the battle the other half is learning how to properly and safely apply the insect repellent. Here, top tips from the CDC on what you should and shouldn’t do when applying bug spray for kids.
DO keep your infant and young child’s skin covered in lightweight clothing as much as possible, and try to cover exposed skin for example, tucking pants into socks.
Fumed products (e.g., laundry detergents) can attract biting bugs.
DO consider using a mosquito net over your stroller or infant carrier.
Use insect repellent for babies younger than 2 months.
DO select insect repellents which are approved to be used on children. Always follow all directions.
Use sunscreen only. SlaughterAtiemo stated that DEET could reduce the Sun Protection Factors (SPF) effectiveness. Children should not be exposed to DEET as sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently.
We don’t like these things:
Although the creamy oil can be whipped up into a smooth lotion, it might not please everyone.
You won’t find it advertised as a repellent for mosquitoes.
Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil, a mosquito repellent that is lotion-like in consistency, comes in this unique formulation. This cream was specifically designed for children. This means that children can have fun outside without worrying about getting bit by the mosquitoes.
Johnson & Johnson lotions are amazing because they repel insects. It repels pests like mosquitoes and gnats while remaining gentle on the skin and is suitable for both toddlers and infants. It is DEET-free, contains no harsh chemicals, and is suitable for even the most sensitive of skins. It does contain ingredients such as vitamin E and aloe vera, which moisturize your skin and keep it soft and supple.
This cream oil can be applied to the skin of your child or yourself, and you will all be protected from mosquito bites. You can mix the lotion with sunscreens and lotions, so mosquitoes won’t be an issue even during hot days. This lotion comes in an 8 fl. oz. It is 236ml.
Safety and effectiveness considerations
Safety. Safety. The most effective mosquito and tick sprays are made with DEET, Picaridin or IR3535. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus may be an alternative, although it is less effective. According to the EWG and CDC, each of these ingredients has a slightly different safety profile. Let’s take a look at each ingredient individually. It is important to wash any bug spray off your skin before you go to sleep. We also recommend not using the product for more than one day. Negative side effects from bug spray ingredients will be compounded by prolonged exposure. It is believed that the longer it remains on the skin, then the more it absorbs into the body. This is the same issue with even the best baby lotions , which is why we are always so careful about ingredients!
DEET Safety. DEET Safety. This insect repellent has been in use for more than 60 years. It is one of the most powerful and effective. DEET has also been criticized due to reports from 1980 that DEET caused encephalopathy in children. But, there’s no evidence suggesting that DEET may have caused the illnesses. In fact, research from recent years has shown no significant adverse reactions when DEET is prescribed. It is important to remember that DEET can only be used in the recommended amounts. Remember to follow instructions with any bug spray and do not over-apply. DEET, due to its effectiveness is the most recommended bug spray for anyone visiting countries with tick or mosquito-borne disease. DEET should be avoided in children under 6 months. The use of DEET in high mosquito risk areas is encouraged from 6-24 months. A 20%-30% DEET product can be applied with only one daily application. For children between 2 and 12 years old, it is best to use a 20%-30% DEET product, which can be used up to 3 times per day. For teens and adults, it is recommended to use a product containing 30-50% DEET. The application should be based on the product instruction.
Picaridin Safety. Bayer developed this synthetic compound in the 1980s. It was extensively used in Europe and Australia and it only recently came to the US in 2005. DEET is often referred to as a more efficient and pleasant-smelling DEET. It’s generally considered the best DEET choice for children who are sensitive to ticks or mosquitoes. Picaridin and DEET are both extremely safe. There have not been any differences in the rates or toxicity of Picaridin and DEET in safety tests. In general, Picaridin is less likely to irritate eyes and skin than DEET, so it might be a good option for kids or adults with allergies. For children aged 6 and over, it is not recommended to be used.
IR3535 Safety. The 1980’s saw the creation of another synthetic compound by Merck. The synthetic amino acids affect the senses of an insect, making them less likely recognize you as a good meal. Picaridin is more attractive because it doesn’t smell as bad as DEET. The safety profile of IR353535 (similar to Picaridin) is very good. Although it causes mild irritation in the eyes, it does not cause any lasting damage or harm to humans. It’s relatively uncommon (compared to Picaridin & DEET), and is commonly found in Avon Skin-So-Soft bug-repellent sprays & lotions.
Safety of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus This naturally-derived alternative mosquito and tick repellent has received a lot of recent attention, and is one of the four active repellents recommended by the CDC. Lemon Eucalyptus is an oil extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree. It is then refined to enhance the level of a specific chemical (PMD), which is effective in repelling mosquitoes and ticks. The CDC advises against using Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus as a bug repellent. However, synthetic PMD and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus are new products on the market. There are not many safety data available. That is not because there is any evidence of toxicity. It’s because we don’t have any data. As such, we recommend that young children avoid using it until further data is available. Also, it is important to point out that natural Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is not the same in safety or effectiveness as Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, even though some sprays will mix these two ingredients.
Effectiveness. Parents want the best mosquito repellants to be both safe and effective. Independent scientific data is virtually non-existent comparing all-natural mosquito repellents to any of the four CDC recommendations (DEET and Picaridin; IR353535; Lemon Eucalyptus Oil). Another problem is the fact that most of the research done on ingredients and products tends to have been funded by their companies, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of the product without being biased or having conflicts of interests. Picaridin, IR353535, and Oil of Eucalyptus are the best repellents against ticks and moths. Regardless of what you’re using, apply the bug spray or lotion to exposed skin only (arms, legs), never apply under clothing, use sparingly around eyes and ears, don’t spray onto face (use hands to rub on), and spray on the outside of all clothing. These instructions will ensure that the spray is effective and reduces irritation. Let’s take a look at the different effectiveness levels of insect repellents.
DEET Effectiveness. DEET works extremely well to repel both mosquitoes and ticks. DEET is more effective at repelling ticks than mosquitoes. The product also has a longer shelf life. A product with 10% DEET protection will keep you safe for two hours. Each additional 5% in DEET protects your skin by adding an hour. A 15% DEET product is effective for three hours. An 25% DEET product is effective up to five hours. It is safe for up to 6 hours at 30% DEET maximum recommendation for adults.
Best Bug Sprays For Babies
Karen Gill, M.D. Medically reviewed
What we did to choose Safe alternatives.
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Once you’ve adjusted to life with a new human, you may be excited to share outdoor adventures (or just a picnic in the backyard) with your little one. You know that nature can be a great place to nurture your child’s mind and make you feel good. But, it’s also important to remember that there are dangers.
You may be at risk of getting serious bug-borne illness depending on where you live. According to the CDC Trusted Source – bugs are increasing in number and severity than ever before in the United States.
Protecting your baby with insect repellent is possible. There are many choices. We’ve compiled some helpful info about bug repellents for babies, as well as our top favorites, to help keep your little explorer safe and comfortable outdoors.
To compile a comprehensive list of affordable baby repellents, we consulted a lot of parents and analyzed online reviews. However, not all options have been tested by us.
Is There a Safe Mosquito Repellent for Babies?
DEET has been thoroughly researched and proven safe for human consumption.
What can I do to keep mosquitoes away from my baby?
Mosquito netting is a good choice to keep your baby safe indoors and out. Install mesh screens to your windows and doors to keep the mosquitoes away. Nylon insect screens are another good option.
How can I protect my baby naturally from mosquitoes?
- The best mosquito repellent is the one you choose. The best way to protect your little one is by simply including anti-mosquito repellent in the daily regime.
- Avoid fragrances and perfumed products.
- Take care.
- Always have mosquito nets available. September 5, 2019,
.Best Mosquito Repellent For Baby