Bug spray?

PinkeLLe2

What kind of bug repellant do you use on your LO? Last week, within 3 days, I found 2 ticks on DS1 when I picked him up from daycare (Daycare has since treated the playgrounds and I have DS teacher check him when they come inside). Last night, I found this big red bite on is back.   So, he needs something. I've seen California Baby has a bug repellant - anyone tried that? Also, do I apply it directly to his skin or should I just put it on his clothing?

C.Mo

Duplicate

C.Mo

Repellents containing DEET have been given the green light by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children older than 2 months and not above a 30% concentration (it will tell you on the bottle). You can put it directly on the skin, just spray it in your hand first and then pat it on their skin.

DEET and picaridin are going to be the best repellents. Anything other than that just isn't going to be as effective. Lemon-eucalyptus is also good, but it isn't recommended for children under 3. All of these are good tick repellents as well.

Hope that helps! I work with mosquitoes so I get asked this question a lot. 

PinkeLLe2

Thank you!

redhead2466

I have used the California Baby, for myself and DD.  We really like it, and the smell is actually kind of nice.  It uses the scent of the repellant to keep bugs away, so you have to keep reapplying.

I would research a little more about the safety of DEET for your little one.  Personally, I feel that something that's poisonous if applied more than once a day, or if ingested, or a higher than 30% concentration is used, is still poisonous when used as prescribed above.  If you used it once, it probably wouldn't do huge harm, but you're obviously going to be using it daily.  DEET is a neurotoxin, and your child's brain is still developing.

https://www.naturalnews.com/001586.html 

ETA: here's a list of some other safe alternatives:

https://safemama.com/2010/05/04/safemamas-2010-bug-repellent-cheat-sheet/ 

 

C.Mo

redhead2466:

I have used the California Baby, for myself and DD.  We really like it, and the smell is actually kind of nice.  It uses the scent of the repellant to keep bugs away, so you have to keep reapplying.

I would research a little more about the safety of DEET for your little one.  Personally, I feel that something that's poisonous if applied more than once a day, or if ingested, or a higher than 30% concentration is used, is still poisonous when used as prescribed above.  If you used it once, it probably wouldn't do huge harm, but you're obviously going to be using it daily.  DEET is a neurotoxin, and your child's brain is still developing.

https://www.naturalnews.com/001586.html 

ETA: here's a list of some other safe alternatives:

https://safemama.com/2010/05/04/safemamas-2010-bug-repellent-cheat-sheet/ 

 

It really comes down to whether or not you want to be bitten. Those safe alternatives are not proven to be anywhere near as effective as DEET or picaridin. If you don't want to use them, that's fine, but the other stuff isn't going to work as well or as long. DEET was developed in the 50s, and I personally don't know of many cases of negative consequences associated with it.

Here are some good sources (sorry no clicky):

https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm

https://www.mosquito.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40&Itemid=117