Pharm
Mosquito Repellant
search
Mosquito Repellant
, Diethyltoluamide, DEET
See Also
Prevention of Vector-borne Infection
Vector-Borne Infection
Pesticide
Permethrin
Epidemiology
DEET used by 200 Million persons worldwide
Used by 38% of U.S. population
Only 30 adverse events reported between 1966-1997
Indications
Prevention of Vector-borne Infection
in endemic areas
Prevention of
Insect Bite
Mechanism
DEET concentration above 10% lasts longer, not better
Insect
repellents work as a chemical barrier
Block
Mosquito
's detection of prey
Adverse Effects (DEET)
Gene
ral
Concentration >15% associated with adverse effects
Most DEET preparations safe
Local Effects
Mild skin irritation
Cornea
l irritation
Mucosal irritation
Serious effects with excessive use under
Occlusion
Neurologic
CNS Depression
Seizure
s
Cardiovascular
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Other effects: Gastrointestinal
Nausea
and
Vomiting
with ingestion
Efficacy
DEET is effective against
Mosquito
es, ticks, lice, fleas
Technique
Apply every 1-2 hours during exposure
Apply
Sunscreen
before (under)
Insect
repellent
Do not apply repellent around eyes and mouth
Concentration up to 30% may be used over age 2 months
Preparations
DEET concentration affects duration of activity, not the effectiveness
Duration 2 hours: 6% DEET
Duration 2-3 hours: 10% DEET
Duration 3-5 hours: 20% DEET
Duration 5-6 hours: 30% DEET
Longest acting and most effective agents
Ultrathon (34% DEET): 12 hour protection claimed
Deep Woods Off (23% DEET): 200-360 minutes protection
Sawyer Controlled Release (20% DEET): 180-325 minutes
Slowly releases DEET in response to sweating
Lower toxicity due to slow release
Off Skintastic (6.6% DEET): 90-170 minutes protection
Moderate duration of activity and effectiveness
Avoid combined
Insect
repellent with
Sunscreen
(
Sunscreen
needs more frequent application)
Bite Blocker Kids (2% Soybean oil): 16-195 minutes
Off Kids Skintastic (4.75% DEET): 45-120 minutes
Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus (7.5% IR3535): 10-60 min
Shortest duration and minimal activity (<5 minutes)
Natrapel (Citronella)
Herbal Armor (Citronella)
Green Ban for People (Citronella)
Buzz Away (Citronella)
Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard (Citronella)
Skin-So-Soft
Bath Oil
Skin-So-Soft Moisturizing Suncare (Citronella)
Gone Original
Wrist
band (9.5% DEET)
Repello
Wrist
band (9.5% DEET)
Gone Plus Repelling
Wrist
band (Citronella)
Alternatives to DEET with similar efficacy to DEET 10%
Pica
ridin 7% (e.g. Cutter Advanced)
Less irritation and better smell and feel than DEET
Duration of effect is 2 hours
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil 30%
Do not use in children under age 3 years (not studied)
Precautions
Limit DEET concentration to less than 30 to 35%
CDC recommends DEET 35% for
Malaria
prevention
Management of toxicity
Skin
Decontamination
Seizure
management with
Benzodiazepine
s
Supportive management
References
(2005) Prescriber's Letter p. 36
Fradin (1998) Ann Intern Med 128(11):931-40 [PubMed]
Fradin (2002) N Engl J Med 347:13-8 [PubMed]
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