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Bug repellent safety

Insect repellent safety

A bug repellent is a substance that is applied to the skin or clothing to protect you against biting insects.

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The safest bug repellent is to wear proper clothing.

Even with proper clothing, when visiting an area with many insects, bug repellents such as those containing DEET or picaridin should be used.

To avoid toxicity from insect repellents:

References

Fradin MS. Insect protection. In: Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE, Connor BA, Nothdurft HD, Mendelson M, Leder K, eds. Travel Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 6.

United States Environmental Protection Agency website. Repellents: protection against mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods. www.epa.gov/insect-repellents. Updated August 24, 2022. Accessed May 24, 2023.

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Review Date: 4/28/2023  

Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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