SANITATION, ARTHROPOD AVOIDANCE, AND WATER DISINFECTION - Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities - page 63

of DEET are essentially totally safe when applied as directed. Complications such as those
listed have followed inappropriate use.
The American Academy of Pediatrics changed its recommendations in 2003. That or-
ganization now considers 30 percent or less concentrations of DEET safe (instead of less
than 10 percent, its former recommendation) and considers such preparations safe for in-
fants as young as two months. (Its former recommendation limited application to children
older than two years.)
In studies of picaridin required for EPA approval, that agent was found to be essentially
nontoxic. Picaridin is currently available in preparations that range in concentration from 7
to 14 percent and would be expected to last as long as DEET-containing products with the
same concentrations. Some commentators state it is not as consistently effective as DEET.
Some individuals do not like to use DEET because they find the product oily and the
odorobjectionable.DEETalsoisreportedtodamageplasticssuchaswatchlensesandeye-
glass frames, certain fabrics such as rayon and spandex, and painted or varnished surfaces.
Boosters of picaridin claim that it is odorless and not sticky.
Application of Repellents
Repellents should be applied to exposed skin but not under clothing. A light application
is effective; increasing the amount of repellent carries no benefit. Spray repellents should
not be applied in quantities that drip from the skin. Spray repellent should be applied to the
face by spraying it on the palms and rubbing the face so that contact with eyes and mucous
membranes is avoided.
Repellents shouldnotbeappliedovercuts;wounds;andinflamed, irritated, oreczemat-
ous skin. Complete skin coverage is not required for the repellent to be effective. After the
repellent is applied, it should be wiped from palmar surfaces to prevent inadvertent contact
with the eyes, mouth, and genitals.
Young children should not apply repellents themselves. To prevent subsequent contact
with mucous membranes, DEET should not be applied to a child's hands.
SimultaneousapplicationofaDEETrepellentandasunscreenreducestheeffectiveness
ofthesunscreenbyasmuchasone-third,andmorefrequentapplicationofthesunscreenis
required to maintain its effectiveness. Combination products that contain both insect repel-
lent and sunscreen should be avoided. Proper use of sunscreens requires frequent reapplic-
ation, but insect repellents should only be reapplied when their effectiveness seems to be
waning.
Insecticides
Permethrin(tradename:Permanone®)isapesticide derivedfromchrysanthemums that
is highly effective against arthropods when used on clothing. This agent kills insects so