Any concerns about using Deet?

[Wild Wild Qwest]

Everywhere I look now, there are specially marked packages of insect repellent to help prevent west nile virus. Sportsmen, Deep Woods, etc... I just bought a package of Repel that has a small non aerosol bottle with 100% deet.  :yikes:

Does anyone wonder if we're all going to be walking around later in life with the Deet shakes?

Hey doc, I can't stop the itching, man!

[tlhdoc]

I try not to use over 30% deet.  With kids especially.  On the though of what happens later in life, I have often wondered about sun screen.  It does something to your skin so you don't burn. what will be the long term effect of it? :yikes:

[Miss-Teri]

What I recently read was deet is fairly safe as long as you don't immerse yourself in it, and try to keep it off bare skin (don't really understand that part...  How do you keep the mosquitos from biting your arms???  Maybe they meant use it sparingly there).  The article said the diseases that mosquitos and ticks can spread are more dangerous than the deet itself.  

It also said deet is the most effective chemical you can use to keep the bugs off, and it also talked about some people being more prone to biting insects because their bodies put out a higher concentration of C02 than others.  So if you think you get bitten more often than other people, you're probably right.

[SkipP]

Everywhere I look now, there are specially marked packages of insect repellent to help prevent west nile virus. Sportsmen, Deep Woods, etc... I just bought a package of Repel that has a small non aerosol bottle with 100% deet. :yikes:
 
Does anyone wonder if we're all going to be walking around later in life with the Deet shakes?
 
Hey doc, I can't stop the itching, man!

Pretty good FAQ here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm  Don't know that I'd use 100% DEET when a lower concentration would be effective. I DO know that any of this stuff needs to be wiped or washed off hands before handling plastics.... like cameras and such.

[calstate360]

There is a good article in our local paper today.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/10129224p-11050010c.html
 
It has a chart that gives the active ingredient in commercial repelents and their active time of use.
Sal

[Dee4j]

well, I'm one of those who use herbal remedies and spraying DEET on my body and my kids just doesn't sit well.  I've always used Avons Skin-so-soft and has always worked well for me. My mom used to have problems with spider bites in the summer from those teeny black spiders that would bite her in her sleep, once she started putting that on before she went to bed the spiders also left her alone. Avon now sells a bug repellent in a spray can.

[vjm1639]

Well, I can't say I have no concerns, but since Deep Woods OFF is the only thing I've found that works for me, I guess I have no choice. I'm one of those bodies with a high content of whatever it is that the mosquitoes love. I think Hubby would say I'm the best mosquito repellant for him..as long as I'm around they bite me and leave him alone!  :eyecrazy:

[HottFamily4]

We just learned about a product called "Burt's Bee's." This is a natural product and it worked great when we were camping down in Savannah as well as other places around GA. Deet works great but I will onl se it if the Burt's Bee's doesn't work (hasn't happened yet).

[vjm1639]

We just learned about a product called "Burt's Bee's." This is a natural product and it worked great when we were camping down in Savannah as well as other places around GA. Deet works great but I will onl se it if the Burt's Bee's doesn't work (hasn't happened yet).

I sure wish the Burt's Bees Herbal insect repellant worked for me....(it didn't) ...it sure does smell better than OFF!!!  LOL  
I love most of the Burt's Bees products though!  Hope it works for you!

[jawilson]

I've always used Avons Skin-so-soft and has always worked well for me.

I can't believe anyone still uses this stuff as a bug repellent. It's been proven time and time again that it does absolutely nothing. It was all a hoax, a rumor that has taken on a life of it's own. Maybe you're just willing the bugs away...  

I do share your concern about DEET. That stuff makes me a bit nervous too, but unfortunately it's the only proven bug repellent. Still don't feel comfortable with it though.

[mowalker]

Here is a link to something we have been using here in "mosquito land" for the last year or so.  It really seems to work!:#
I have been able to find the products and refills at local grocery & drug stores.
 
http://www.mosquitorepellent.com/
 
I really recommend this product after using it for various outdoor activities even other than camping.:! :cool:
 
Ray & Brenda

[MommaMia]

Anybody else ever get the stuff with DEET on your lips?  Wow!  My lips got numb instantly! Numb to the point that I bit at my lip to see how numb it was and bit a nice little chunk right off!  (How dumb was that of me?)  

I can remember watching a report years ago on Dateline or something about some guy who had a severe reaction to the stuff and died within minutes of spraying something that was lke 98% DEET on himself.  Young guy with a family... never had any medical problems.

But we do use products with DEET.  DD is severely reactive to mosquito bites and we must put effective repellant on her.  But we stick to the lower concentrations for the kids.  For us adults, we do use the stronger stuff.  Don't know why.

OFF has a new scented repellant.  It has a nice fresh floral/citrusy scent.  Even the kids commented on how good it smelled.

[Odeanne]

I've used the product Repel with 100% Deet.  I try not to spray it directly on skin, but I spray clothing:  socks, shoes, pant legs.  As a Girl Scout leader we learned to have 4 or 5 bandanas on hand.  We sprayed the bandana with the spray and then tied it around our neck, wrists or ankles.  It works.