Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Published : September 25, 2015 6:32 PM IST
Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance, but they can transmit diseases like malaria and dengue due to which hundreds of people die every year. The thought of going out without using a mosquito repellent and being a blood buffet for these insects is a nightmare. But have you ever wondered that if the repellent annoys the mosquito, it can also hurt you?
Like any other commercial creams, mosquito repellents also contain chemicals that can be harmful to your skin if you use it copiously. Some of the ingredients found in the repellents are toxic in nature, and you need only to use it occasionally for a short period. The ingredient DEET in the repellents is absorbed fairly quickly by the skin causing skin irritation[1]. Mosquito repellent creams can also cause irritation in the eyes especially if it gets into the eyes. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water and contact your doctor.
Some people are also allergic to certain chemicals in the mosquito repellent creams so it would be wise if you read the label and the package before purchasing the product. If you think, you have an adverse reaction, discontinue the use of the product immediately and wash the affected area with soap and water. The mosquito repellents contain chemicals and plants sold in the market in the form of roll-ons, creams, and lotions. While buying a mosquito repellent look for the following ingredients in it:
It would, however, be a better idea to use sprays on your clothes than using the mosquito repellent cream. Sprays are especially available for clothes, shoes, and mosquito nets.
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[1] McHenry, M., & Lacuesta, G. (2014). Severe allergic reaction to diethyltoluamide (DEET) containing insect repellent. Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 10(Suppl 2), A30.
[2] Mittal, P. K., Sreehari, U., Razdan, R. K., Dash, A. P., & Ansari, M. A. (2011). Efficacy of Advanced Odomos repellent cream (N, N-diethyl-benzamide) against mosquito vectors. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 133(4), 426 430.
