Blocking Mosquitoes and Ticks

Five bug repellents scored high marks for preventing bites, but three common choices didn’t make the grade in 2014 testing by Consumer Reports. As a parent and pediatrician, I want a mosquito and tick repellent that is safe, effective, and easy to use. It also helps if it doesn’t smell like bug spray. Why Is Blocking Mosquitoes and Ticks Important? Insect and arachnid bites aren’t just annoying; they are also the cause of hundreds of West Nile virus infections, about 1500 cases of malaria, and about 35,000 cases of Lyme disease diagnosed in the US each year – not to mention the million people who die from malaria each year around the world. Even though most mosquito bites are just an itchy nuisance and most tick bites are barely noticed, it’s important to have a reliable way to block bites when needed. Repellent testing involves daring testers who put their bare arms in mosquito-filled cages and who let ticks crawl on them, while observers record how long it takes the critters to start biting. The top five products prevented bites from ticks and two important species of mosquitoes for at least seven to eight hours of the test. In four of these winners, the active ingredient was DEET:: Off Deep Woods Sportsmen II (DEET 30%) Cutter Backwoods Unscented (DEET 23%) Off FamilyCare Smooth and Dry (DEET 15%) 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8 (DEET 25%) Natrapel 8 Hour (picardin 20%) Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent was included in the 2010 list of recom...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Dr. Greene's Blog Diseases & Conditions Insect Bites & Stings Insects & Animals Liver Outdoor Fun Safety Toxins Source Type: blogs