Itching for Insect Repellent? Tips for Staying Bug Free

Your local pharmacy or discount chain store has shelves filled with insect repellents claiming to be long lasting, non-greasy, organic, fresh scent or chemical free.

There are those that come with different amounts of DEET and others that come in a variety of dispensers, including table-top candles and tiki torches, pumps and mists and the most recent trend: a clip-on fan.

If you're itching to find the right insect repellent that works for you, Dr. Jeffrey Band, director of Infectious Disease and Travel Medicine at , Royal Oak, offers some advice on protecting yourself against mosquitoes and getting those little buggers to buzz off.

Dress appropriately
If you are outdoors during early morning or dusk, in areas attracting mosquitoes such as gardens, wooded areas or near still water, then you’re in the right place at the right time for mosquitoes to feed. Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. You’ll get fewer mosquito bites.

If you’re camping or in areas where exposure to mosquitoes is intense, Band recommends using permethrin. It is an unscented chemical that can be sprayed on clothing or on other materials.

"Permethrin is active in repelling or killing mosquitoes. Once it is embedded in the clothing fibers, it lasts even with washing and drying for up to 10 cycles," Band explained.

Avoid perfumes and carry a lucky charm
No one really knows why mosquitoes bite some people more often than others. Mosquitoes feed on blood and are attracted to people by their scent and body heat. “It appears those who are most often bit wear perfumes, heavily scented lotions or shower less often and sweat heavily. However, they are probably just unlucky,” he said.

Relax: DEET is OK for anyone age 2 months and older 
When DEET, a synthetic chemical used in insect repellents, first came to market more than 50 years ago, its earlier formulas were of very high concentration.

“When choosing products, the best repellents available are those that contain DEET. The key is to use the right concentration — no one needs to use higher than 35 percent,” Band said. “It has been proven safe in children as young as 2 months of age and in pregnant women.”

Despite its widespread use and the formulas available, DEET has rarely, if ever, been linked to health problems. Repellents with 100 percent DEET do not work any better than products with lesser amounts. "If you want protection while avoiding higher exposure to the chemical, choose products with lower amounts," Band said..

Read the labels of insect repellents
While there are many types of insect repellents and applications, from foggers to clip-on fans, the only proven repellents are those with DEET. Read the active ingredients listed on the product’s label. 

“For 10 to 12 hours of protection with a single application, use repellents that have DEET. If you are looking for an alternative to DEET, other effective insect repellents that provide several hours of protection include products with picaridin, an odorless plant-derived chemical or oil of lemon eucalyptus, the only plant-based insect repellent recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," Band explained.

Apply insect repellent after sun block
Protect yourself from bug bites and burns. For maximum protection, it’s best to apply a light layer of insect repellent to exposed areas of the body after you put on sun block. Sun block may inactivate some of the properties of the repellent. The scented blocks may attract mosquitoes.