Insect repellants and kids: Is DEET safe

by Heather Burrows, MD

Summer means sun, backyard barbecues and lots of outside time. And all of those things generally also come along with a generous dose of bugs. Unfortunately for us in Michigan, it’s shaping up to be a buggy summer – especially when it comes to ticks.

The best way to avoid the not-so-fun bugs of summer is to wear long sleeves and long pants, and to avoid dusk, which is often the buggiest time of day.

Bugs tend to like perfumes. Your 8 month old is probably not wearing perfume, of course, but it is worth thinking about the scent of shampoos and lotions you use on your children, as well.

Even if you avoid dusk and wear long sleeves, there are certainly times when you can’t avoid bugs. That’s when many of us reach for bug repellants. The most effective bug repellents contain DEET, hence many parents of our patients ask us the big question:

Is DEET safe for young children?

The answer is yes. Insect repellents containing DEET have been tested and approved when used as directed.

You can use DEET containing bug repellents on kids over 2 months old, but there are some recommendations that you need to follow:

• Products containing DEET should only be used one time per day on children.
• We do not recommend sunscreen/bug spray combinations, since sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly.
• The % of the DEET determines how long it will last, so use the lowest % that you can for your needs. If your kids will be outside for only an hour or two, you can get away with a lower concentration. 6-7% will last for about 2 hours, 20% will last for about 5 hours. Choose a repellant with no more than 30% concentration.
• Apply products containing DEET in an open area with good ventilation.
• Do not apply products containing DEET to broken or sunburned skin.
• Do not apply products containing DEET around the mouth or eyes or hands. I tell parents to spray a hat, let it dry and then put it on their younger child. That will help keep the bugs away from his face.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after applying products containing DEET.
• Wash your child’s skin off with soap and water when he comes inside, and launder clothing before it’s worn again.
• Read labels carefully, and always follow the directions on the packaging of the product you choose.

Other options for bug repellents include products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus or a product called picardin. These products don’t last as long as the 20% DEET, but can be reapplied throughout the day.

Permethrin is an effective repellent for ticks, but it should only be applied to your child’s clothing.

Unfortunately products that contain citronella are not actually effective against bugs.

Take the next step:

• Learn what parents need to know about kids and ticks.
• Read the AAP’s guide to insect repellants.

The new U-M Northville Health Center offers an array services for children, including primary and specialty pediatrics. Conveniently located at 7 Mile and Haggerty Roads. Learn more at uofmhealth.org/Northville or call (248) 305-4400.