Summer safety: Mosquitoes be gone!

I just noticed that the Weather Channel web site now provides information entitled: "Mosquito Activity Forecast." Worse, in the mid summer, it often reads: "HIGH. Be on the lookout! Lurking mosquitoes likely to be busy."

And, in case that does't serve to completely bum you out, they feel compelled to remind us that "female mosquitoes require a blood meal from time to time." (for the protein to nourish their eggs, which is why the male mosquitoes don't bite).

**********

Loathsome creatures

I have to admit, I detest mosquitoes above all creatures. Consider the following Unidentified Flying Facts about these loathsome insects:

• There are estimated 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1,000 trillion) mosquitoes on planet Earth!
• They've been around for 30 million years, perfecting their ability to detect your heat, light, body odor, and carbon dioxide. All the better to eat you with, my dear.
• Once you are bitten, the proteins in their saliva set up an immune response --> swelling and itching.
• Mosquitoes are the world's most dangerous creatures:
  - The diseases they spread have killed more people than all the wars in history.
  - World-wide, mosquito-spread diseases kill 2 - 3 million people/year by infecting an estimated 200 million/year with malaria, filariasis, yellow fever, dengue fever.
  - Fortunately, in the U.S. mosquito-spread disease is rare; only West Nile Virus and various kinds of encephalitis are of any concern.

**********

Avoiding mosquito bites

I know it's just a matter of time before stories of West Nile Virus and encephalitis hit the news stands and my WebMD Message Board lights up with parental panic. So let's discuss how to avoid mosquito bites for you and your kids (adapted from the CDC):

• When possible, have your kids wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
  
• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when outdoors.
  
• Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening (peak mosquito biting times).
  
• Install or repair window and door screens so mosquitoes cannot sneak indoors.
  
• At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans.
  
• Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water, such as old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles, clogged rain gutters, and trash containers.

**********

Insect repellents

Short of going outside in a bubble (which I wish more kids would do), the best way to avoid mosquito bites is to apply an effective repellent. The most effective insect repellents contain deet (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide).

Is deet safe for kids?

• The risk of adverse reactions and illness from deet, when used prudently and as directed, appears to be very low.
• There is no specific data on the worry of skin absorption of deet in children. However, data on similar chemical suggests that after 2 months of age, there should be no increased soaking through the skin. Therefore, deet is not recommended for use in infants under 2 months of age.

Step-by-step tips on applying insect repellent on kids:

• The concentration of deet in products may range from less than 10% to over 30%.
  
• The major difference relates to how long they are effective. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours; a concentration of about 24% affords an about five hours of protection. Select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time to be spent outdoors.
  
• Deet should generally not be applied more than once a day.
  
• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or to clothing (as directed on the product label), not under clothing, on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin, nor on the eyes and mouth.
  
• When using sprays do not spray directly onto the face; spray on your hands first and then apply to face.
  
• Do not allow children to handle the products. Do not apply to children's hands.
  
• Do not spray in enclosed areas to avoid breathing it in. Do not use near food.
  
• A heavy application is generally unnecessary for effectiveness. If biting insects do not respond to a thin film, then apply a bit more.
  
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water and wash treated clothing before wearing them again.
  
• If you suspect that you or your child are reacting to an insect repellent, discontinue its use and wash the affected skin. If/when you go to a doctwasr, take the repellent with you.

**********

What about "natural" insect repellents? Other insect repellents used in children include those made with Citronella and soybean oil. However, these are not nearly as effective in warding off mosquitoes, do not last as long, and do not protect against most stinging insects, including wasps, bees, and fire ants. Remember, "natural" does not necessarily mean "safer."

Picaridin. A new repellent contains the chemical picaridin. Consumer Reports (Dr. P's bible) found it as effective as deet and states it is "worth a try...if you need just a few hours of protection and if you don't like the odor or feel of repellents containing deet." Apparently, picaridin has been used world-wide since 1998 and the World Health Organization regards the proper use of picaridin as "safe".

Oil of lemon eucalyptus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it considers oil of lemon eucalyptus, like picaridin, as effective against mosquitoes as deet. I haven't had any experience with it and safety data is lacking.

**********

Dr. P's bottom line

These new preparations may turn out to be effective, but none have been as well studied as deet for effectiveness and for potential side effects. For now, I'm sticking with deet.

Remember: A skeeter bite-free summer is a happy summer. Take care!

**********

Want yet more info? Check out the CDC's Website.

Other Summer Tips from Dr. P: Summer Sun Protection

Related Topics: Mosquito Repellents: What Works, Are You A Mosquito Magnet?

Technorati Tags: mosquitoes, insect repellent, West Nile Virus, deet