Exercise Caution When Using DEET - Helpful Hints For Living Well

One third of the population in the United States uses DEET as the mosquito and other pest repellant of choice. DEET is currently used in hundreds of products with concentrations up to one hundred percent.

In my opinion DEET containing products such as “Off” should be used sparingly and with caution.  I see parents every summer drenching their children in DEET without stopping to consider the possible side effects of prolonged use. With repeated exposure humans may experience headaches, memory loss, muscle and joint pain, and other terrible conditions. These symptoms may not become evident until months or even years of regular exposure.

Studies on rats have shown DEET to cause neurons to die in the brains regions that control muscle movement, memory, and learning.  Rats exposed to an average human dosage perform far worse when performing task involving coordination and muscle control.  More studies are needed to feel comfortable enough for me to use DEET products.

My current suggestions on DEET use:

Use products containing DEET sparingly and infrequently. If you must use it in the smallest amount possible and wipe it off after it is not needed anymore.

Use precaution when using products containing DEET on children. Children are more sensitive to subtle brain changes caused by chemicals because their skin more easily absorbs them. Also, their developing nervous systems are more easily affected.

Never use products containing DEET on infants.

Tags: DEET —