Insect Repellents

Parenting Tips

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can begin to use insect repellents with DEET on your infant once they are two months old.

Other tips on using insect repellents with DEET on kids:

• unlike sunscreen, insect repellents with DEET should not be applied more than once a day and you should apply it sparingly and only on exposed skin
• do not apply these insect repellents under clothing, on a young child's hands, over cuts or irritated skin, or around their mouth or eyes

Although thought to be safe, if you don't like the idea of using an insect repellent with DEET you can consider using one with picaridin (like Cutter Advanced), or one with oil of lemon eucalyptus, a natural ingredient.

Other natural insect repellents include those with citronella or soybean oil.

Keep in mind that the CDC states that 'non-DEET repellents have not necessarily been as thoroughly studied as DEET, and may not be safer for use on children.'

These tips were submitted by Vincent Iannelli, MD.