Bugged Out? Learn How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes

With the unofficial start of summer here — people all over the country are heading outdoors to go camping, hit the beach, and barbecue — but chances are, the majority of these people will likely run into some unwanted guests. No, not your in-laws — we’re talking about mosquitoes.

Not only are they annoying, these little pests can leave you riddled with painful insect bites and even more scary, they can carry the potentially deadly West Nile virus.

But before we get to that, let’s take a look at some ways you can keep these bloodsuckers from “eating you alive.”

Bug Repellents

From bug sprays to citronella candles, you can find a plethora of remedies to keep bugs at bay in your local drug store. However, not all of them are created equal.

“There is only one product you can use to prevent mosquito bites and that’s insect repellent,” Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York, told FoxNews.com. “It’s largely been DEET-containing repellents that have been proven to be effective in protecting us from mosquito bites and other insect bites.”

Basset said DEET works by throwing off the insect’s receptors and disorienting it so that it cannot bite the skin.

If you have concerns about using DEET, especially when it comes to children, Bassett recommends following guidelines put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“The AAP says if you use DEET on your children, don’t use a product containing more than 10 percent, always apply it to yourself first, and never apply it to your child’s hands,” he said.

The AAP also states not to use DEET on children younger than 2 months and for older kids, the agency says parents should only apply repellents containing DEET once a day.

As for adults, it depends on how much time you plan spending in the great outdoors.

“The percentage of DEET you should look for in a product depends on your exposure and how long you will be outside,” Bassett said. “A higher concentration is going to last longer, so you have to read the label which will give you an idea in terms of when to apply it and how long it is going to last.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered these guidelines based on a study from 2002:

— A product containing 23.8 percent DEET provided an average of 5 hours of protection from mosquito bites.

— A product containing 20 percent DEET provided almost 4 hours of protection

— A product with 6.65 percent DEET provided almost 2 hours of protection

— Products with 4.75 percent DEET were both able to provide roughly 1 and a half hours of protection.

If you’re looking for more natural options, Bassett said there are plenty of products.

“There are natural alternatives that contain geranium oil or soy bean oil, and they act as a repellent,” he said. “But you have to check and figure out what your risk is going to be. How long will you be outside? Are you going to be at a backyard barbecue or are you going camping in the woods? Some of the natural products are OK, but you need to read the label to determine if they will be sufficient for your needs. Usually they don’t last as long, where as DEET can last up to seven hours.”

Despite the effectiveness of insect repellents, nothing is 100 percent, which means you will inevitably get bitten. And for some, the results can be pretty painful.

“For the majority of people who have allergies to mosquito bites, the reaction is minimal,” Bassett said. “But if you do have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, which include hives, itchiness in areas other than where you got bit, tightness in the chest, swelling of the tongue and throat, and dizziness, you should seek immediate medical attention.”

Bassett also stressed not to scratch the bites because you could run the risk of getting an infection.

“You can treat a bite with warm soapy water, over-the-counter cortisone steroid creams, ice and cool compresses,” he said.

By the way, the prime biting times are usually dawn and dusk, and mosquitoes love women because they have more estrogen in the skin.

“It seems like women in some instances are more likely to be bitten than men because of scented products they wear like perfumes, skin creams and deodorants, but also because of the estrogen in their skin,” he added.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,593742,00.html

So I've learned to prevent bites by using Off! and Cutter. Wow. Good that I read this.