• How safe are diverse forms of mosquito repellents for babies?
  • Tips for safe usage of insect repellent for babies
  • Insect repellents deemed ineffective

Waking up to niggling red-colored mosquito bites on your piffling i's face up is unnerving for sure. This mail on mosquito repellants for babies will help yous prevent these. No affair how many musquito nets or covered clothes y'all employ, the mosquitoes always seem to find a style around them. Information technology is mosquitoes and other insects and bugs that never get out a take a chance to creep upwardly those open areas and go out a mark of their presence.

In such cases, mosquito repellants might come in handy. Just before using any ointment or repellant cream on your babe's skin, it is advisable to bank check for allergic reactions. And then which repellant do y'all choose for your babe?

Read on to know about the diverse types of mosquito repellants available and the ones that are condom to be used for your infant.

How Condom Are Various Forms Of Musquito Repellents For Babies?

Mosquito repellents come up in different forms and packages. Some repellents seem ostensibly harmful to the infant's wellness (such as the smoke-making mosquito coils), while some seem to be safe (mosquito bands). We look at these various forms of mosquito repellents and tell you which ones are safe to use for your babe.

i. Musquito coils

Let u.s.a. begin with something that you lot must never use as a mosquito repellent for your babies. Coils are flattened incense that are burnt to release mosquito repellent smoke. This tin can finer drive away insects from a localized area only the smoke can cause respiratory irritation in the baby. If your baby already suffers from respiratory problems, and so the smoke from a mosquito curlicue will surely aggravate the condition.

Verdict: Not safe for babies of any age. As well being a burn hazard, burnt coils release fume that contains carbon monoxide and other diverse fumes. These fumes can be harmful to your baby's health as his lungs are tiny and underdeveloped. Moreover, a study has found that inhaling smoke from ane burnt mosquito curlicue is equivalent to inhaling smoke from as many equally 137 cigarettes (ane) ! That is surely quite unsettling.

[ Read: Treatments To Bug Bites In Babies ]

2. Mosquito repellent lotions

The lotions are user-friendly and portable, and hence are a favorite with many mothers. Mosquito and issues repellent lotions, creams, and gels are topical ointments practical straight to the exposed skin. They also work well in repelling other insects such as flies and crawling bugs because the active ingredient in these ointments usually is DEET, picaridin or IR3535.

While these chemicals are effective against insects, information technology calls for caution. DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are all non recommended for babies less than ii months of age (two).

Also, you should avoid products that have more than than 30% DEET. In fact, x% DEET is as constructive as 30%; and then go for a production that has the ingredient within this range.

A study by the independent organization Consumer Reports showed that picaridin is safe for babies (three). IR3535 was too constitute effective only offered protection for just three hours.

Verdict: Prophylactic for babies older than two months when used every bit per manufacturer'due south instructions. Musquito repellent lotions should never be applied effectually the infant's eyes and oral fissure. Likewise, exercise non put it on his hands where in that location is a risk of ingestion. Always test a small spot on the baby's skin before applying on the rest of the body. This will let y'all know if the baby has an allergy to the ingredients used in the product. Do non use a mosquito repellent cream to a baby younger than two months.

[ Read : Chicco Anti Mosquito Gel Review ]

3. Mosquito repellent liquid vaporizer and mats

Liquid vaporizer and mats are known for their convenience of 'plug and play'. They use heat to vaporize the insect repellent, which then dissipates into an surface area. They are mostly made of household insecticides allethrin, prallethrin and permethrin that repel insects when sprayed in the vapor form.

Allethrin is known to be toxic when information technology comes in contact with peel, but has niggling toxic effect when inhaled (4). Prallethrin has low toxicity to mammals (5). Permethrin is said to have similar low toxicity and there is no bear witness that it could be extremely toxic for babies (half dozen).

Therefore, it tin can be said that in that location is no conclusive indication of negative health effects due to long-term inhalation of these compounds. However, the chemicals can affect babies differently than adults.

Verdict: Generally safe when used with circumspection and subsequently reading manufacturer's instructions. Avoid using liquid vaporizers and mats when the baby is in the room. Instead, use them before he is brought into the room. Always place the vaporizer abroad from the baby's bed, and close to the entry indicate of mosquitoes such as windows. Do not employ information technology anywhere around babies younger than 2 months since they can exist sensitive even to the slightest corporeality of insecticide fumes.

[ Read: Baby Skin Allergies ]

4. Musquito repellent sprays

Mosquito repellent and bug repellent sprays are aerosol-based sprays that comprise compounds like to those present in vaporizers like allethrin and prallethrin. In addition to these compounds, sprays too utilise the compound deltamethrin, which is chemically similar to allethrin. It has the same level of toxicity as allethrin thus making musquito repellent sprays quite similar to vaporizers. Deltamethrin is not known to cause whatsoever serious long-term effects on usage although babies tin exist sensitive to information technology (vii).

Sprays tin can piece of work faster than vapors and this is accomplished past dissolving the active ingredient (the insecticide) in a volatile solvent similar dichloromethane (DCM), or methylene chloride. Long term inhalation of this compound has been linked to carbon monoxide poisoning (8). And that is not encouraging.

Verdict: Non safe for babies. Insect repellent sprays may work faster but the chemic can harm your baby's health. Moreover, most sprays have a pungent smell due to the presence of kerosene, some other insecticide. Kerosene is proven to be toxic to the body when inhaled in the grade of vapors (nine).

[ Read : Tiger Lotion Mosquito Repellent Spray Review ]

v. Natural insect repellents like essential oils

You find a plethora of essential oils in the market to naturally repel mosquitoes and other insects. They are normally sold dissolved in a topical ointment base and prove to be DEET-gratis insect repellent for babies. Several bootleg and Ayurvedic insect repellents also use essential oils. Although they are natural, they may not exist safe for babies. For example, i of the nigh common essential oil used in mosquito repellents is lemon eucalyptus oil and its synthetic variant is PMD. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that it must non be used on the pare of children below three years of age (10). It is mainly because their peel is underdeveloped to handle the natural chemic compositions of the oil.

There are also other essential oils like cedar, lemongrass (known as citronella oil) and rosemary. But consumer study of over-the-counter essential oil-based insect repellent lotions found that these essential oils were ineffective in protecting against insects with the exception of lemon eucalyptus oil. Even if they offering protection, it is for a footling time. Essential oils, in general, provide protection against insects for no greater than two hours (11).

Verdict: Safe or non safe depends on various factors including the blazon of essential oil, mode of application (on skin or through spray) and whether the babe is sensitive to essential oils or not. Lemon eucalyptus oil should non be used for children below 3 years of historic period, as mentioned earlier. The constructed version of lemon eucalyptus oil called PMD (p-Menthane-3,eight-diol) is ordinarily found in anti-mosquito wipes for babies. It has the same properties every bit the natural version; therefore, it tin be a potential allergen.

When it comes to essential oils similar cedar, lemongrass (known as citronella oil) and rosemary, then the usage can be subjective depending on whether the baby is sensitive to information technology or not. Oil of lemon grass/ citronella is known to be a dermal and respiratory irritant (12). Some babies can be sensitive to the topical version of the essential oil just may not prove whatsoever adverse effects to the vapor form.

Thus always check if the baby is comfy with the essential oil-based repellent and consult a dr. if yous take whatever queries. Either style, essential oils are never safe for babies younger than two months old.

[ Read : Tiger Balm Mosquito Repellent Patch Review ]

6. Mosquito patches and fabric roll-on

Mosquito repellent patch is like a bandage that is laden with an insecticide. The effectiveness of the patch decreases as the chemical slowly evaporates in the air. Mosquito repellent bands and bracelets work on a similar principle and can be refilled with a small tablet.

Fabric roll-ons await like deodorant roll-ons that tin can be rubbed in small portions on clothes leaving small amounts of insect-repellent. These are all portable musquito repellent solutions similar to mosquito repellent lotions.

There are a diverseness of musquito patches and ringlet-ons available for babies and more often than not have the same ingredients every bit in lotions. A patch should never be stuck to the skin or the clothes of the baby. It may should be stuck to an object shut to the baby still abroad from his reach. Manufacturers of insect repellent scroll-ons recommend using it on cots and strollers instead of dress for babies younger than two years.

Patches containing DEET or picaridin should exist avoided for babies younger than two months former. Many patches comprise essential oil as an insecticide and as mentioned earlier, you lot must exist careful about their usage since they can be potential allergens.

Verdict: Safe depending on the ingredients. Ever look at the label for the agile insecticides used in the patch or roll-on. Every bit always, never use these for babies younger than two months of age.

[ Read: How To Treat Bedbug Bites On Babies ]

vii. Mosquito nets and musquito bats

Physical barriers are the safest and most cost-constructive means of protecting your baby confronting mosquitoes and other insects. Mosquito nets are one such example that come up in numerous sizes and tin be customized to meet the requirements of your baby's crib. They can exist used 24 x 7 without worrying about your baby existence exposed to any harmful chemicals.

Electronic musquito killers such as electrical bats and mosquito trapping night lamps are equally safe as long every bit they are kept away from the babe's reach.

Verdict: Safest means of repelling insects for your lilliputian i. Electrical musquito repellents should exist placed away from the infant's reach and preferably used when a parent is present in the room. Mosquito nets work bully. They are an effective ways of protection against mosquitoes and are fifty-fifty vouched past the World Health Organization (13).

Nets must be periodically checked for whatever tears or openings. Sure mosquito nets are sprayed with insecticides and are skillful only can exist avoided since the baby may grab the cyberspace once in a while thus causing the risk of ingestion through hands.

Mosquito nets are the best insect repellents if your baby is younger than two months of historic period.

In short:

Here is the list of the insect repellents that are safe, non-safe or perhaps-prophylactic for babies:

Insect Repellent Safety
Mosquito nets and mosquito bats Safest
Mosquito patches and fabric whorl-on Condom depending on the ingredients
Liquid vaporizer and mats More often than not rubber when used with caution
Essential oils based repellents Condom or not safe depending on the oil
Musquito repellent lotions Safe merely for babies older than 2 months
Mosquito repellent sprays Not safe
Mosquito coils Not prophylactic

Tips For Condom Usage Of Insect Repellent For Babies

Here are some points you must keep in mind while using insect repellent for babies:

  • Read the instructions and safety information label on the outer packaging of the repellent. This volition give y'all an idea of what went into the making of the repellent and whether information technology is generally safe for a infant.
  • Never apply an insect repellent effectually cuts and wounds since information technology may enter the body.
  • Exercise non apply an insect repellent on the baby's confront and palm since information technology can lead to accidental ingestion.
  • Do not use products that combine DEET with sunscreen. DEET generally reduces the effectiveness of sun protection factor (SPF). This means i may have to employ more sunscreen to protect from sun. This is okay for adults just for babies it may overexpose them to DEET, which is not good for their peel.
  • Always go along an insect repellent, including the outer packaging, away from a baby's achieve.
  • End the usage of an insect repellent immediately if you dubiousness that the baby is showing an allergy (such as rash) towards it.
  • Read the manufacturer'south communication on the packaging for an allergic reaction and also consult your doc.

[ Read : Babyhug Premium Gadda Fix Reviews ]

Insect Repellents Deemed Ineffective

Some mosquito and bug repellents available in the market place are basically ineffective. Hither is a list of insect repellents, which the American Institute of Pediatrics has found to be ineffective:

  1. Wristbands: Wristbands are often soaked in chemical-based insect repellents and sold as effective insect repellents.
  1. Ultrasonic devices: These devices merits to emit audio waves of ultrasonic frequencies that can keep insects at bay.
  1. Backyard bug zappers: It looks similar an electronic lantern with a bright luminescent bulb at the centre. When the insect approaches the seedling, it is zapped by the external metal mesh that is electrically charged. Contrary to their merits of being an insect repellent, they really end-up attracting more insects to your house.
  1. Bird or bat houses: Many species of birds and bats are insectivores, which means that they consume but insects. While this may audio an eco-friendly solution, in that location is very trivial credibility attached to using birds and bats around human habitats to prevent insect infestation.
  1. Garlic or vitamin B1 consumed orally: Another colloquial mosquito repellent hack that has little scientific backing.

[ Read: Natural Remedies For Mosquito Bites In Babies ]

Remember, insect repellants are meant to go along your baby safe from insect bites merely cannot exist harmful themselves. If you want to try some home remedies, and then you may dab lavender essential oil, diluted with aqueous foam or vaseline, behind the baby's ears and wrists. If the infant is younger than three months, then you may attempt citronella essential oil diluted with another oil or water, lavender oil or vanilla essence. However, their effectiveness may vary from one infant to some other.

Keep the windows and doors closed, especially during that fourth dimension of the mean solar day when the musquito move is the maximum.

Is at that place an insect repellent yous tried and worked corking? Do share it with us past leaving a comment beneath.

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  • Reviewer
  • Author

Dr. Vineet Kwatra took his medical caste from Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) Medical Higher and Research Institute, Aurangabad in 2001. He is a life fellow member of the Indian Academy Of Pediatrics (IAP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP). With two decades of feel in the field, Dr. Kwatra currently practices at Good for you Steps Child Clinic, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon.

Rohit Garoo is a zoologist-botanist turned writer with over 8 years of experience in content writing, content marketing, and copywriting. He has also washed an MBA in marketing and human resources and worked in the domains of market research and eastward-commerce. Rohit writes topics related to health, health and development of babies. His articles featured on several notable websites, including... more