INSECT REPELLENTS

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INSECT REPELLENTS

• Daniel J. Trozak M.D

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WHAT REALLY WORKS!

• DEET (Ultrathon or Sawyer Controlled Release)
  on exposed sites and permethrin (Permanone) on
  clothing. 99.9 for 8-12 hrs Ultrathon 3.5-4 hrs
  for Sawyers C R
• Picaridin products (Cutter Advanced) on exposed
  skin and permethrin (Permanone) on clothing
  99.9 1.5 hrs.
• Lemon-eucalyptus oil product (Off Botanical) on
  exposed skin and permethrin (Permanone) on
  clothing 99.9 1.5 hrs.
• Soy bean product (Bite Blocker) on exposed skin
  and permethrin (Permanone) on clothing 99.9 1.5
  hrs.

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EPA Guidelines for the Safe Use of Insect
Repellents

• Verify that the product has an EPA approved label
• Read the label before each usage
• Use only as directed and against the insects
  listed
• Keep it out of childrens reach
• Most repellents or their vehicles have
  significant toxicity , if ingested!
• Apply only to body sites listed
• many have significant mucous membrane
  irritancy and would be more readily absorbed when
  applied to or around mucous membrane sites!

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• Avoid application to cuts, open wounds, areas of
  dermatitis
• Do not apply around eyes, mouth or hands of
  children
• Use adequate amounts but avoid frequent
  re-application
• Wash off with soap and water after exposure
• If you suspect toxicity, wash off with soap and
  water and contact poison control. Have the
  product label available.
• For information 24/7 call the National Pesticide
  Network _at_ 1 [phone]

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What Doesnt Work!NEJM V. 347 pp. 13-18, 2002
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References

• Insect Repellents An Overview. J Amer Acad Derm
  36 pp 243-49, 1997
• Insect Repellents. The Medical Letter 31 iss.
  792 pp 45-47, 1989
• The Regulatory Controversies That Surround DEET.
  Cosmetic Dermatology 9, 3 pp 56-58, 1996.
• Insect Repellents. The Medical Letter 45 Iss.
  1157 pp 41-42, 2003.
• Vector Borne Diseases Reaffirm Need for Insect
  Repellent. Skin and Allergy News p 33, September
  2003.
• Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents against
  Mosquito Bites. NEJM 347 pp 13-18, 2002.
• Insect Repellents-Past, Present And Future!
  Pesticide Outlook pp 154-158, August 2001.
• Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than
  DEET. August 28, 2001, WWW.sciencedaily.com
• Medical Pearl Permethrin can prevent arthropod
  bites and stings. J Amer Acad Derm 51 p 289,
  2004.
• Picaridin A New Insect Repellent. J Drugs Derm
  3 59-60, 2004.
• CDC Insect Repellent Update April 28, 2005
  http//www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/Repellent
  Updates.htm
• Picaridin-A New Insect Repellent. The Medical
  Letter 47 Iss. 1210, 2005.