With Spring approaching, mosquito season is just around the corner, and this year the threat is more dangerous than annoying. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just declared the rapid spread of the Zika virus, which is transmitted mainly by mosquitos, an international public health emergency. Since mosquito bites now instill fear in us all, let's talk strategy. According to Dr. Jessica Weiser at New York Dermatology Group, using a high-quality mosquito repellent is one of the best ways to avoid bites.
"There are a few strategies to avoid bites," she says. These are "staying indoors, using screens to prevent insects from entering indoors, dressing in long-sleeve and long-pant light-colored clothing, applying insect repellent, and removing sources of standing water to prevent mosquito breeding."
When looking for the right repellent, the CDC recommends using EPA-registered products. This is important because the environmental protection agency only registers products that are not expected to cause any adverse affects to human health or to the environment.
As for ingredients, Dr. Weiser says, "there are two insect repellents that have been approved and recommended by consumer reports contain either 20% picaridan or 25% Deet. These two active ingredients have shown the best efficacy against the Aedes mosquito."
If you're someone who typically uses all-natural products, be really careful with what repellent you buy. "While all-natural repellents may be helpful, they do not have the same clinical efficacy as some of the chemical based products," warns Dr. Weiser. "There are only two EPA-registered natural oils: catnip oil and oil of citronella."
If you need more direction in choosing your insect repellent, Consumer Reports just released its exclusive test results and ratings of mosquito repellents for free. They conclude that there are five repellents that they can recommend to protect you best against the Aedes mosquitoes, which are the kind that carry Zika.
"Repellent should be applied to all exposed skin surfaces and should be applied onto clothing and not underneath clothing," Dr. Weiser says. "Do not spray directly onto the face — spray into hands and then run into cheeks, forehead, chin avoiding mouth and eyes, and use sparingly on ears."
And when it comes to correct application of repellent, always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label. The CDC recommends the following when using insect repellents:
- Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label). Do not apply repellents under your clothing.
- Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using repellent sprays, do not spray directly on your face — spray on your hands first and then apply to your face.
- Do not allow children to handle or spray the product. When using on children, apply to your own hands first and then put it on the child. Avoid applying repellent to children’s hands because children frequently put their hands in their eyes and mouths.
- Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application does not give you better or longer lasting protection.
- After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days.
- If you get a rash or other reaction from a repellent, stop using the repellent, wash the repellent off with mild soap and water, and call a local poison control center for further guidance. If you go to a doctor, it might be helpful to take the repellent with you.
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