“I always recommend insect repellents that contain DEET for the best protection against insect bites,” says CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo, MD, FAAP, a Baltimore-based pediatrician and founder of CayTer 2 You Baby, a travel baby gear delivery service. DEET is the common name for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide and is largely considered to be the most effective mosquito repellent. Best bug sprays for babies and kids. With nearly 900 reviews on Amazon, the product averages 4.5 stars. Why the Mayo Clinic Diet Is One of 2021's Best, 7 Major Reasons You Should Try Dry January, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Plus, everything you need to know about DEET, picaridin, and what's best for safeguarding against ticks and mosquitoes. But for older kids, Repel’s plant-based bug spray with 30 percent Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus can be a great option. For infants younger than 6 months old, do not use an insect repellent containing DEET. Whether you’re looking for DEET bug spray, a picaridin option or a natural bug spray pick, we’ve rounded up a list of best bug sprays for babies and families. No parent wants to see their kids covered in itchy bug bites, but if you happen to be in an area where insect-related diseases are an issue, keeping bugs at bay becomes an important health concern. When you're not sure where the day will take you, stash these individually wrapped wipes in your bag for on-the-go no-mess protection for 12 hours. Here, top tips from the CDC on what you should and shouldn’t do when applying bug spray for kids. Moreover, picaridin doesn’t have the same neurotoxicity as DEET; it isn’t known to irritate the skin and is considered to be practically non-toxic if inhaled and only slightly toxic if swallowed. Lotions and wipes may be easier to apply on younger kids than sprays, but lotions can take 20 minutes to start being effective while sprays work immediately. Apply products containing DEET to clothes and exposed skin but never under clothing. This bug spray is not only natural but also organic and toxin-free. Below, you'll find some options for bug sprays for kids and babies. Read all instructions about any product usage carefully. To protect the rest of your baby's face, spray the products onto your hands and then rub on your child's skin. Do Not use DEET on the face area or allow children to handle a … Choose a repellent with a low concentration of DEET. You can always double check with your pediatrician before using, especially if your child has sensitive skin. This continuous spray formulation is a rare repellent in that it contains IR3535 without SPF. Insect repellents do not protect your babies against bees and wasps. DEET … The baby bug repellents I recommend. I would always recommend using a baby bug spray that contains effective chemicals like DEET & picaridin, and so would experts like the EWG. Do not spray insect repellent near or on food and drink. DEET is a chemical used in insect repellents. Dos and don’ts of bug spray for kids While DEET bug spray may be considered the best insect repellent for effectively blocking bugs, it isn’t your only option. DEET bug spray is meant to be applied directly to skin and designed to repel insects (not kill them). People say they particularly love its non-sticky formula. The advantage of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is that it’s a plant-based bug spray that actually works in fending off mosquitoes. Don't use near your child's eyes or mouth, or on cut, infected or irritated skin. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using bug sprays that contain 10% to 30% DEET (not to exceed 30%) on children over two months old. “DEET is still the gold standard,” Dr. Kassouf says. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends not using products with a DEET concentration greater than 30 percent on children (and no repellent on children younger than 2 … DEET (N,N -diethyl- meta -toluamide) is a chemical found in insect repellents. 2. The "continuous spray" bottle means you can apply it easily, even when the bottle is tipped upside-down (like when reaching for ankles). According to reviewers, it's super effective at repelling mosquitoes, but has a strong perfume-like odor. It’s … Wondering what’s the best baby-safe bug spray out there? “Picaridin is a newer repellant and doesn’t have as many long-term studies with human use.”. More than 4,000 Amazon reviewers rave about this bug repellent, which is effective for up to 12 hours and won’t harm clothing, backpacks, sunglasses and other accessories. There are 6.5 fl. Note that the percentage … When picking out an insect repellent for kids and babies, your priority should be to choose one that’s registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Babies two months or younger should not be exposed to DEET at all. Apply DEET and other repellents only to clothing and to exposed skin, but never under clothing. Don't spray directly into the face. This 15 percent DEET bug spray, one of Slaughter-Atiemo’s favored mosquito repellent for babies, fights off mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers and fleas (as all repellents made with DEET do). It’s advertised as non-greasy or oily. WIth 30 percent Oil of Eucalyptus (which is a CDC-recommended ingredient), it also repels mosquitoes for up to six hours and has a nice, refreshing scent. Insect repellents containing DEET have been tested and approved as safe for kids older than 2 months. We do not recommend sunscreen-bug spray combinations, as sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly. Apply sparingly to exposed skin. Spending time with your little ones in the Great Outdoors is wonderful—that is, until the mosquitoes come out to play. If you’d prefer an all-natural bug spray with pure essential oils, California Baby offers a bug repellent for babies and kids that’s highly rated (in fact, it’s on Slaughter-Atiemo’s list of recommended bug spray for kids). But if you’re in an area where tick-borne or mosquito-borne illnesses are prevalent, you might want to look beyond the all-natural options. Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus 10% Picaridin Towelettes, 30% Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray, 10% Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Lotion, 20% IR3535 SkinSmart Insect Repellent Spray, 15% DEET Family Care Insect Repellent Spray. 4.4 out of 5 stars with 41 reviews. Picaridin was only approved for sale in the US in 2005, and we don’t know as much about its long-term health effects. Why trust us? Opt for the lowest concentration that’ll offer the length of protection you need. Fans say this DEET-free insect repellent is the best they've ever used and it's suitable for babies three months and up. It’s also non-greasy and sweat-resistant, which is great for active kiddos who are constantly on the move. It is also very gentle and non-irritating, making it a perfect insect repellent for babies. Even a mom whose daughter is allergic to mosquitoes raved about how well this stuff works. Here’s another 12-hour 20 percent picaridin option that parents love. The best part about this bug repellent -- aside from the fact that it really does keep the bugs at bay -- is its sweet tropical scent. DEET will protect you from biting flies, ticks and mosquitoes. In this article: Here’s another excellent plant-based bug spray for kids. Roll-on preparations are preferable to sprays. oz. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission. By messing with the neurons on their antennae and mouths, DEET forces mosquitoes, flies, gnats and chiggers to back up and buzz off. Read the entire label before use – look carefully at the level of DEET or picaridin in the product (see tables below), and use the repellent only as directed by the manufacturer. In fact this long safety track record is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends DEET for infants over 2 months of age. OFF! Your first instinct may be to avoid certain chemicals and reach for a “natural” insect repellent, but the truth is, many ingredients in “natural” products aren’t very effective at repelling ticks and mosquitoes. But is DEET safe? Here’s what to know about baby-safe bug spray, plus our top picks for mosquito repellent for babies and kids. 23. 5. Here’s another 15 percent DEET bug spray liked by Slaughter-Atiemo and parents alike. All of this potential for sickness calls for a heavy-duty bug spray. Cover up - Give bugs a smaller target. While botanicals may seem safer (the EPA classifies them as minimum risk), “plant oils have mainly been found to repel mosquitos only,” Slaughter-Atiemo says, and for shorter amounts of time at that. A simple bug bite may not seem like a big deal, but the health risks of exposure to those two pests are high as both mosquitoes and ticks can carry an array of diseases. This odor-free lotion is as kid-friendly as can be. You can use DEET-containing bug repellents on children ages 2 months and older, but there are some guidelines to follow: Products containing DEET should be used only once per day on children. Note that it’s only okay to use DEET bug spray for babies 2 months and older. Mosquito Repellent Bracelet, PandyCare 15 Pack Mosquito Bands for Adults, Kids & Babies - Premium Quality, DEET-Free Natural Wristbands, Protection Insects up to 300 Hours 4.3 out of 5 stars 206 £10.99 £ 10 . As a parent, you’ll do nearly anything to ensure your kids stay healthy. Download The Appto explore more tools like Planner+ and Food Safety. Here's another great option for DEET wipes — and they're odor-free! Developed by the United States Army in 1946, DEET is the most common ingredient in US-sold insect repellents and generally considered the gold standard in effectiveness. Reviewers say this spray has a strong, refreshing scent that actually does its job. Cutter. 4.9 out of 5 stars with 23 reviews. The bottom line: No matter what repellent you choose, the most important thing is to carefully follow the instructions on the label. If you’d prefer to use a natural bug spray, look for repellents containing Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, another ingredient recommended by the CDC as safe and effective for children 3 and up. Here are 3 great repellents that you can depend on! This is a great choice for families looking for a DEET bug spray but prefer to use a lower-concentrated formula for baby, as this contains just 7 percent DEET. What to know about DEET bug spray OFF! (195 ml) of repellent in the bottle, which will last a long time even if you apply it often. Dina DiMaggio, MD, and Anthony F. Porto, MD, MPH. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular active ingredients in EPA-registered repellents. Amazon reviewers say this 10 percent picaridin bug spray, enhanced with vitamin E and aloe, smells great, absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky mess, and, best of all, is super-effective. If you're worried about spraying DEET around your kids, but want the protection DEET provides, these wipes are the perfect middle ground. It’s also non-greasy and sweat-resistant, which is great for active kiddos who are constantly on the move. “Our evaluation includes ensuring that the registered product does not harm vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women.”. Do not apply to the hands or fingers of young children. In fact, picaridin-based formulas are the best-selling bug repellent for babies and children in Europe and Australia. OFF! 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray, 3 oz. “As a result, they’re less effective and have to be reapplied more frequently,” Slaughter-Atiemo says. The authors of this study estimate that each year around 200 million people use insect repellents containing DEET. Target / Patio & Garden / deet repellent for babies ... Cutter Backwoods High Deet Insect Repellent Spray - 7.5oz. Research has found it to be just as effective as DEET and a safe bug spray for babies 2 months and older. Figuring out which are the best baby-safe bug sprays is only half the battle—the other half is learning how to properly and safely apply the insect repellent. Reviewers swear by this lotion and say it's totally worth the price. It’s recommended as safe for babies as young as two months by both theAmerican Academy of Paediatrics and theNHS Fit for Travel website. $4.89. The spray nozzle ensures that the repellent is very easy to apply. Plus, the small size makes it easy to travel with. Deet is the most widely used insect repellent in the U.S. DEET is the common name for N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is an extract made from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree and processed to up the concentration of PMD, a natural substance that’s highly effective at repelling insects. Read on to learn about alternative bug sprays for babies and kids. And because it comes with a pump instead of aerosol spray, it won’t get in your little ones’ eyes. (Studies have shown that repellent with more than 30 percent DEET doesn’t actually offer any added protection.) Note that Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is not the same as lemon eucalyptus oil, which is a pure essential oil that isn’t formulated to ward off bugs, hasn’t been tested for safety and effectiveness and isn’t registered by the EPA as an insect repellent. 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