Repellents for personal use are products that are applied to various areas of exposed skin in order to protect it against bites. This type of component is part of the set of measures that must be taken to prevent diseases transmitted by all types of insects, among which are the dengue, zika and chikunguya.
It is important that the use is only in situations in which there is a high density of mosquitoes or one must be outdoors for a prolonged period of time. On the contrary, it is not necessary to use them inside homes. To this end, it is of great importance that homes are protected with rigid mosquito nets, whether made of metal or plastic, on doors and windows, or environmental repellents registered with the ANMAT.
Currently, there are various types of insect repellents on the market, such as sprays, lotions, creams, gels and aerosols. These products may contain different active substances, such as DEET, IR3535 and icaridin. Regardless of this, an important point is the time during which the repellent maintains its effect, which is generally reported on its label.
In this way, once this period has elapsed, it is essential to reapply the product if it is going to continue being exposed. In turn, a new application is necessary after exposure to water or having gone through situations of excessive perspiration. It must also be taken into account that, if you want to use both a sunscreen and an insect repellent, it is necessary Apply sunscreen first and wait 30 minutes and then use repellent. thus maintaining the effectiveness of both products.
In Argentina, insect repellents for use on humans are regulated by ANMAT, and must comply with the quality standards established by this National Administration. On the packaging it is important that the expiration date of the product, indication of net content, country of origin and file number of the manufacturer or authorized importer must be indicated.
Mishandling a repellent, such as ingesting it, can cause serious poisoning. It is suggested to read the label and product information before use. Repellents should not be applied to cuts or irritated skin; Do not apply it near the eyes, nose and mouth or on the hands, especially in children. Also avoid excessive and repeated application. Once use is finished, it is recommended to wash the treated skin with soap and water.
For repellents with aerosol containers, the following warnings are added: do not handle food at the time of application; do not apply directly to the face; Do not spray near flames and discard the product once finished. It is recommended to consult a pediatrician before using them in children under 2 years of age, while they should not be applied more than three times a day in children between 3 and 12 years of age. It is especially important to take all these considerations into account before using any repellent.
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