Keep your baby safe from pests and chemical pesticides.
Insect repellents for use on babies should provide adequate protection against insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. DEET is most effective against mosquitoes and ticks, but health risks are associated with overexposure to chemical-based repellents. Babies are especially vulnerable to adverse health effects, such as rashes and seizures. Chemicals with less potency, and plant-based insect repellents, are safer alternatives for babies, but each offers less protection than DEET, and each also carries some risks. Does this Spark an idea?
DEET
DEET insect repellents contain a concentration of 10 to 30 percent of the chemical. Infants under the age of 2 months should not use any repellents containing DEET. Older babies can use repellents containing minimal amounts of DEET, and it should be applied sparingly. It should not be applied to an infant's hands or near his eyes or mouth. The repellent's effectiveness should last for about two hours, and it should not be applied more than once a day on an infant.
Picaridin
The Centers for Disease Control recommends Picaridin as a DEET alternative for infants as it is considered to deliver fewer health risks. Picaridin is an ingredient in some insect repellents in concentrations of 10 to 20 percent, but like DEET it should not be applied more than once per day on infants.
Permethrin
Permethrin is a repellent that is used on clothing and on camping and outdoor gear. It is available commercially in spray form. It should be sprayed on clothing only, instead of on skin, and the protection lasts through several washings. Extra caution should be taken with infants, as they sometimes chew or suck on their sleeves or blankets.
Plant-Based Repellents
Read labels carefully on plant-based repellents for guidelines on age restrictions. Many contain oil of lemon eucalyptus as a non-chemical alternative to DEET, but they are not recommended for children under the age of 3 years. Citronella-based repellents should not be used on babies under the age of 6 months.
Prevention
The best protection against insect pests for infants is to avoid exposure to them. Strollers and baby carriages should be covered with mosquito netting. To avoid attracting insects, avoid spraying perfumes or hair spray near children, and don't use scented soaps or lotions on them. Avoid dressing infants in bright colors or flowery patterns. Sunscreens with insect repellents included should not be used, since sunscreen has to be reapplied periodically. Be sure to wash repellents off skin when you return home, and wash any infant clothes that were treated with insect repellent.
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