DEET insect repellent, unraveled by a doctor

NI’m a bigger nuisance than a bug bite. (We’ll wait.) Buzzing around the ears and itching at night can be summer least pleasant duo – and figuring out how to make the symptoms stop is just as frustrating.

If this dilemma has you browsing the insect repellent aisle lately, you’ve probably noticed this to be the case a lot of of options to choose from, from different ingredients to different sizes. Do you go for sprays or gels? Do anti-itch sticks really work? And what about DEET?

Originally developed by the United States Department of Agriculture in the 1940s, DEET (or diethyltoluamide) has been the most commonly used active ingredient in insect repellents for decades. DEET has been the subject of much discussion in recent years. With all the buzz, it’s only natural to have questions about this veteran repellent ingredient.

You’re in luck: the pediatrician who comes by Dr. BeachgemMD, has the answers, no need to stick to the shedding boards. The end result? “To effectively protect yourself and repel mosquitoes, DEET-based insect repellents offer a suitable option,” she says.

For simple and effective solutions that work for everyone, every day, Dr. Beachgem to stock up OFF!® repellents– but she wants you to be notified first.

She breaks down the benefits of DEET *and* corrects the most common misconceptions about it, so you can spend less time whacking it and more time enjoying the dog days of summer. These are the must-know deets about DEET.

The benefits of DEET

Many insects, including mosquitoes, have receptors on their antennae that help them detect body heat, carbon dioxide, and skin chemicals in their prey (uh, us). DEET confuses these insects by disrupting their receptors and stopping them from landing on you. It’s like an invisible mini force field, right above your skin.

Additionally, DEET has a history of providing long-lasting protection against mosquitoes and is still used today. Exhibit A: The United States Department of Agriculture originally developed DEET for the US military as a way to help protect soldiers stationed in insect-infested areas.

The most common misconceptions about DEET

Despite its benefits and prevalence (approx a third of Americans protect themselves with DEET-based insect repellents every year), there are many DEET myths worth debunking.

First of all, Dr. Beachgem that there is a lack of understanding about how DEET actually works – and how to properly read its labels. “The percentage of DEET you see on the label refers to the concentration of the active ingredient in the repellent, which coincides with the amount of time you are protected from insects,” she says. OUT!® Deep Woods® provides up to eight hours of protection with 25 percent DEET, while the Family care collection includes insect repellents that contain between five and fifteen percent DEET for two to six hours of protection. That’s a lot of fresh air and itch-free time to enjoy yourself.

However, the biggest misconception about DEET is that it is not suitable for regular use. In reality, the ingredient is both CDC recommended And EPA registered to keep you protected. According to the CDC, DEET provides effective and reliable protection against mosquitoes. Additionally, the World Health Organization and the CDC have declared DEET effective at repelling mosquitoes, including the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can transmit the Zika virus, dengue or chikungunya.*

*Please note that the EPA, WHO or CDC do not recommend or endorse any commercial product, brand or manufacturer.

So next time you go outside, skip the guessing game and grab a DEET-based repellent. With the facts on your side, you can keep the annoying nuisance at bay and concentrate on enjoying every sun-drenched moment. After all, your summer should be full of memories, not mosquito bites.