DEET Insect and Mosquito Repellent

DEET can be used if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, but you should always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using insect repellents at this time.

If possible, you should avoid travelling to countries that have a risk of insect-borne diseases when you’re pregnant, unless absolutely essential.

DEET can be used on your clothing and works well on clothing made from natural fibres.

Always follow the instructions that are included with your DEET insect repellent to make sure you’re using the right amount and be aware that applying repellents to clothing could result in stains.

Always cover up as much as you can when you’re in an area where insect bites and stings are a risk and don’t apply DEET to areas of skin that are covered by clothing.

DEET works by interfering with receptors on the antennae of mosquitos, deterring them from landing on the skin.

DEET is considered a safe and highly effective insect repellent, however it can sometimes cause odour and skin irritation.

DEET can be suitable for children over 2 months old, but you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products on children to assure their safety.

IR3535 offers similar protection to DEET, another common ingredient used in insect repellents.

While DEET is usually the recommended option for use in countries with a risk of malaria and other insect transmitted diseases, IR3535 is very effective for repelling most species of mosquitoes, ticks and other flying insects here in the UK and in Europe.

IR3535 has also been found to be generally more tolerable than DEET, which is known to cause odour and skin irritation in some cases.

Malaria is a very serious parasitic infection transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito.

Once the infection has entered the body, it travels to the liver then the red blood cells, eventually getting into the bloodstream.

Malaria is preventable and treatable, but there is a higher risk of death in poorer areas of the world where many people struggle to get the healthcare they need to fight the disease.

When you have an insect bite or sting they are usually harmless and will heal in a couple of hours up to a couple of days.

Normally, insect bites and stings are nothing more than an inconvenience, but in places where there is a risk of insect-borne disease, bites and stings could transfer dangerous diseases such as malaria and zika virus.

Most insect bites and stings won’t be serious, but if you’re experiencing lots of swelling and blistering, or if you notice pus, you should seek medical advice.

Phone 999 if you have any of the following symptoms following a bite or sting:

• - Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• - Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• - A fast heart rate
• - Dizziness or feeling faint
• - Difficulty swallowing
• - Confusion, anxiety or agitation