Wednesday 20 May 2015

Mosquito Repellent Wristbands

Protect yourself from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.


Mosquito bites are more than just annoying; they can be risky since mosquitoes can carry life-threatening diseases such as West Nile virus. Mosquito-repellent wristbands are marketed as an easy method of protection against mosquito bites. Does this Spark an idea?


Features


Some people choose mosquito-repellent wristbands as a safer alternative to using all-over-body sprays. The bands are usually available in a range of colors. Some contain DEET and others use plant-based oils such as citronella or peppermint as mosquito repellents.


Function


According to the University of Wisconsin's College of Agricultural Life Sciences, the effectiveness of mosquito-repellent wristbands is debatable. They may reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes, but since they are located in only one area of the body, they cannot be relied on for allover protection.


Considerations


A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine states that mosquito-repellent wristbands are ineffective. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has well-established guidelines for the proper use of effective mosquito repellent sprays and lotions (see the Resource section for a link).

Tags: mosquito-repellent wristbands