Could Bug Repellents Be Harmful To Children?

Parents Should Look For Sprays With Low Percentage Of DEET

CLEVELAND -- There is a lot of confusion and controversy right now over what kind of bug repellent kids should use.

With West Nile virus lurking, parents don't want to make any mistakes, but they don't want bug spray to put their kids in jeopardy, either. A lot of people don't know which type of bug spray they should use.

"We kind of just get whatever's at CVS or whatever's at the drugstore," one parent said.

Experts said the first step to get rid of mosquitoes is to use repellent. The second is to look for the chemical DEET on the can. Health officials say it's the most effective ingredient available.

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A repellent should contain DEET, but only a low percentage of the chemical, according to officials at the Poison Control Center.

"Where we can get into trouble is when we use those DEET-containing insect repellents that are 50, 70 and even 100-percent DEET," said Dr. Michael Reed, of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland. "That is way too concentrated and should not be used."

Doctors said to stick to repellents that have 10 percent DEET. Parents want to protect their kids from West Nile virus, but too much DEET is a bad thing.

"It can lead to difficulty in walking and keeping our balance," Reed said. "We could have seizures, but those are extremely rare."

The possibility of getting bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile virus is also extremely rare, but parents shouldn't take any chances.

Anytime children use bug repellent with DEET, it should be washed off them when they come inside.

There are natural repellents containing citronella, which is safe, but experts say they wear off in about 10 minutes.

They said products containing DEET is still the way to go, because they will last at least 1½ hours.

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