| Children | Adults | Teachers | Medical |
OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to control the abundance of mosquitoes emerging since the recent heavy rains, many people are reaching for the insect repellents containing DEET. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center warns that care must be taken when using this or any other repellent or pesticide.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, insect repellents containing a 10 percent concentration of DEET appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30 percent, when used according to the directions on the product labels. DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age. Randy Badillo, a poison specialist for the Oklahoma Poison Control Center, said that “with children, unintentional poisoning from insect repellents usually occurs from overexposure on the skin or ingestion.” Badillo also added, “The most frequently reported symptoms of DEET toxicity in children are tiredness, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures and convulsions.”
When using insect repellents and pesticides, use the following precautions:
• Do not use on children 2 months of age or younger.
• Read and follow all directions on the label.
• Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children, and apply sparingly around the ears.
• When using on small children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child; do not allow young children to handle or apply the product.
• When using sprays, do not spray directly onto face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Do not use under clothing.
• Avoid over-application of this product.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas.
• Do not spray on bedding in sleeping area.
Remember that use of this product may cause skin reactions in rare cases.
If you suspect that you or your child has been unintentionally poisoned or is having an adverse reaction to this product, discontinue use, wash treated skin and call the Oklahoma Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. The poison center is staffed 24 hours a day by specially trained pharmacists and registered nurses. All calls are free and confidential. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in the Children’s Hospital at OU MEDICAL CENTER.
The Oklahoma Poison Control Center web site is provided free of charge to the public as an informational and educational tool. This web site is NOT intended as a substitute for a consultation with the Oklahoma Poison Control Center. The center is a statewide program operated by The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in cooperation with Children's Hospital at the OU Medical Center. Our pharmacists and nurses are specially trained poison experts available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.