Tips for Parents in Choosing Insect Repellents

The American Academy of Pediatrics says products containing DEET are among the "the most effective" repellents available and should be used when necessary to protect against insect- and tick-borne disease.

•  The AAP says that products containing up to 30 percent DEET can be used on children.(The AAP formerly recommended 10% as the maximum concentration, which the organization increased in 2004)

•  The AAP says to use DEET-based repellents on children older than two months of age. (The AAP formerly recommended two years as the minimum age, which was revised in 2004)

•  Apply DEET-based repellents sparingly in children and use additional preventative measures

Additional recommendations from the AAP include:

•  Do not assume that, just because insects are not biting you, they are note biting the children.

•  Children under 12 should not apply these products to themselves or others.

•  Keep insect repellents out of the reach of small children and carefully follow label directions when using repellents.

•  Do not apply repellents containing DEET to a child's lips, mouth, hands or eyes.

•  Always check children for ticks after time spent outdoors.

•  Side effects with insect repellents containing DEET are rare and, when they do occur, are most often a skin rash. Experts suggest that this rash is not related to the concentration of DEET in the product and report that the rash subsides on its own when the DEET repellent is washed from the skin with soap and water. If a child drinks an insect repellent product, as with any household product not intended for ingestion, get medical attention immediately.

•  Consult with a physician before using DEET products that contain sunscreen on children under the age of six months

If a child is bitten by an insect, the AAP advises that you should act to relieve the itching, thus helping to prevent secondary infection. The AAP recommends that you do the following:

•  Apply calamine lotion freely onto any part of your child's body except the areas around the eyes and genitals.

•  Call your pediatrician before using any other treatment.

•  Keep your child's fingernails short and clean to minimize the risk of infection from scratching.

•  Have your pediatrician examine any infected bite, because it may need to be treated with antibiotics.

If rashes or flu-like symptoms or signs of infection occur, seek medical attention immediately.

Click here for more Tips