Insect Repellants & Sunscreens
Insect Repellants:
-
DEET:
- Increasing concentration relates to duration of effect, not effectiveness
- Product choice (DEET concentration)
- 10% DEET --> two hours of protection
- 30% DEET --> five to six hours of protection
- 10%-30% concentrations are safe to use on infants and children
- May be used on infants and children >2 months of age
- Do not apply to hands of infants and young children
- Apply once, although an additional application can be used for extended time outdoors
-
Picardin
- Synthetic insect repellant alternative to DEET
- Provides protection comparable to lower concentrations of DEET --> 1.5-two hours
- Not as damaging to synthetic clothing fibers as DEET
Sunscreen:
- SPF relates primarily to duration of protection, not degree of protection
- Use products with broad UVR (UVB and UVA) protection
- Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide the broadest UVR protection
- Apply an appropriate amount of sunscreen and REAPPLY IT OFTEN (at least every two hours)