Babies Insect Repellent

How to Choose a Baby Insect Repellent

• Choose an EPA-registered repellent.
• Look for products that are labeled as “for use on children under 2,” and avoid those that say “children should be supervised when using this product.”
• Apply insect repellents only to exposed skin or clothing, not to hands or hair.

Tips for safe use of baby insect repellent

• Use repellent sparingly.
• Apply repellent to exposed skin, avoiding sensitive areas such as the eyes, mouth and nose.
• If irritation occurs while using an insect repellent on your baby, stop applying the product and wash area with soap and water.
• Wash any remaining repellent off of your baby’s skin when they are no longer needed in order to reduce potential health risks associated with repeated exposure over time.

Always follow label directions.

Always follow label directions. You should always read the label before buying a product, and follow the safety instructions on the label.

• Read the label before using it for any purpose.
• Follow directions for how to apply and use insect repellent products safely.
• Do not use more than is necessary in a given area of your body or clothing (e.g., don’t apply an entire tube of stick repellent onto one arm).

Do not apply insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.

• Do not apply insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.

Insect repellents have been found to be safe for use on children older than 2 months, but only when used as directed. For example, EPA studies have shown that DEET is safe for use on children 6 months or older in concentrations up to 30%. However, the EPA does not recommend using chemical repellents on babies younger than 2 months old due to concerns about their ability to metabolize chemicals and minimize risk of toxicity in infants with immature organ systems (as well as an increased risk of skin irritation).

Insect nets are also an option if you need protection while traveling with a baby or infant. While they may not be effective against mosquitoes carrying Zika virus (or other diseases), they can protect your child from bites by insects like black flies, horseflies and deer flies—all of which can be quite painful!

Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children younger than 3 years old.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and para-menthane-diol (PMD) are common active ingredients in insect repellents. Both substances can be harmful to children under 3 years old, so you should use other types of insect repellent on this age group.

• OLE is a plant extract that’s found in certain brands of insect repellent. It works by irritating the skin, which causes the body to release histamines and other chemicals that make you feel uncomfortable when bitten by mosquitoes or ticks. But when OLE gets into your bloodstream, it causes an allergic reaction called “immunoglobulin E syndrome” (IgE). This means that your immune system thinks the substance is harmful and releases antibodies that attack it—leading to swelling around your airways, difficulty breathing and even death if untreated!
• PMD is another common active ingredient found in many insect repellents today—and despite its name sounding like a safe alternative for babies, it can cause similar problems as OLE does if used on them too soon after birth

When using on children, apply insect repellent to your own hands and then put it on the child. Avoid children’s eyes and mouth.

If you’re using insect repellent on a child, apply the repellent to your own hands first and then apply it to the child’s face. Avoid getting any in the child’s eyes or mouth. If you do get repellent in your child’s eyes, rinse his or her eyes with water as soon as possible.

Do not apply to children’s hands, around eyes or cut or irritated skin. Adults should spray their own hands first and then rub them on the child. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s cut, irritated or sunburned skin.

• Do not apply to children’s hands, around eyes or cut or irritated skin. Adults should spray their own hands first and then rub them on the child. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s cut, irritated or sunburned skin.*

When using any insect repellent, it’s important to read the label and follow directions.

When using any insect repellent, it’s important to read the label and follow directions. Do not apply to broken skin, or near eyes or mouth. Keep out of reach of children. Do not spray in enclosed areas. Wash treated skin after coming indoors; wash treated clothing before wearing again. Do not use under clothing.