Sunday, November 22, 2009

Health

Childproof Your Summer: Bug Spray

By Sara Dabney Tisdale
Posted 6/22/07

Keep your kids safe without spoiling summer fun:

8. Pack the bug spray. The most convenient way to keep the ticks and mosquitoes at bay may seem to be the combo sunscreen-repellent formulas. But research suggests that mixing sunscreen and insect repellent may increase DEET absorption and lessen the effectiveness of sunscreen, and some dermatologists worry that reapplying combination products for proper sun protection may lead to excessive absorption of deet. The CDC advises against using combination products.

How harmful is DEET in reality? Mark Fradin, a dermatologist and adjunct associate professor at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill who has researched deet, says there have been only about 50 known incidents in which too much DEET has made somebody sick—and "common sense [wasn't] applied with the insect repellent."

Other ways to childproof your summer:

1. Wakeboarding2. Trampolines3. Sunscreen4. Drowning5. Internet Safety6. Exercise7. Vaccines8. Bug Spray9. All-Terrain Vehicles10. Medications at Camp11. Hydration12. Amusement-Park Rides

advertisement

advertisement

Symptom Search

American Hospital Association Symptom Finder

Discover possible causes of your symptoms.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up today for the latest headlines from U.S. News and World Report delivered to you free.

RSS FEEDS

Personalize your U.S. News with our feeds of blogs and breaking news headlines.

USNews MOBILE

U.S. News daily briefings are also available on your mobile device.

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.