[How to choose an insect repellent]
Insect repellent is an important item for going out this season. Mosquitoes not only make you feel itchy when bitten, but in recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports of mosquito-borne infectious diseases, which had not been prevalent in Japan until now. Insect repellent is necessary not only for camping and barbecues, but also for walking in the park.
What is the difference? How to choose insect repellent
Insect repellents generally use insect repellent ingredients such as "Deet" and "Icaridin".
Some contain natural ingredients such as lemon or eucalyptus oil, but those containing deet and icaridin are more effective against insects.
If you spend a long time in places where you want to be particularly careful about mosquitoes, such as near grass, use insect repellent that is as effective as possible.
■ Icaridin
It is an insect repellent that can be used from babies to adults with little irritation to the skin. It is also characterized by less smell peculiar to insect repellents. It is a new ingredient approved for use as an insect repellent in Japan in 2015.
★ Effective against mosquitoes, blackflies (gnats), horseflies, and ticks .
■ Deet
It is a common insect repellent ingredient used all over the world.
* Effective against mosquitoes, black flies (gnats), fleas, and house dust mites.
Some products are also effective against horseflies, ticks, and bedbugs.
* The types of insects that can be repelled differ depending on the product. For details, please check the efficacy and effect of each product.
★ Insect repellents that use DEET are divided into quasi-drugs and pharmaceuticals depending on the concentration of DEET.
Deet with a concentration of 12% or more is classified as a drug , and only drugs are recognized to be effective against chiggers.
(Tsutsugamushi: A type of tick that cannot be seen with the naked eye. If bitten, it causes tsutsugamushi disease, which causes a high fever and a rash.)
Deet is said to irritate people with sensitive skin, so people with sensitive skin should be careful. There are also restrictions on how many times you can use it, depending on your age.
■ What happens when the concentration of insect repellent changes?
Currently, products with higher concentrations of 15% Icaridin and 30% DEET are available.
The higher the concentration of the repellent, the longer it lasts rather than the stronger it works.
However, if the drug is washed off by sweat, etc., the effect will be weakened. It is important to reapply frequently.
■ Spray? mist? What are the different types of insect repellent?
There are various types of insect repellents, such as aerosol sprays and mist types.
In addition, if you do not want to apply the drug directly to your skin, there is also a sticker type that you can attach to your clothes.
Some contain natural ingredients such as lemon or eucalyptus oil, but those containing deet and icaridin are more effective against insects.
If you spend a long time in places where you want to be particularly careful about mosquitoes, such as near grass, use insect repellent that is as effective as possible.
■ Icaridin
It is an insect repellent that can be used from babies to adults with little irritation to the skin. It is also characterized by less smell peculiar to insect repellents. It is a new ingredient approved for use as an insect repellent in Japan in 2015.
★ Effective against mosquitoes, blackflies (gnats), horseflies, and ticks .
■ Deet
It is a common insect repellent ingredient used all over the world.
* Effective against mosquitoes, black flies (gnats), fleas, and house dust mites.
Some products are also effective against horseflies, ticks, and bedbugs.
* The types of insects that can be repelled differ depending on the product. For details, please check the efficacy and effect of each product.
★ Insect repellents that use DEET are divided into quasi-drugs and pharmaceuticals depending on the concentration of DEET.
Deet with a concentration of 12% or more is classified as a drug , and only drugs are recognized to be effective against chiggers.
(Tsutsugamushi: A type of tick that cannot be seen with the naked eye. If bitten, it causes tsutsugamushi disease, which causes a high fever and a rash.)
Deet is said to irritate people with sensitive skin, so people with sensitive skin should be careful. There are also restrictions on how many times you can use it, depending on your age.
■ What happens when the concentration of insect repellent changes?
Currently, products with higher concentrations of 15% Icaridin and 30% DEET are available.
The higher the concentration of the repellent, the longer it lasts rather than the stronger it works.
However, if the drug is washed off by sweat, etc., the effect will be weakened. It is important to reapply frequently.
■ Spray? mist? What are the different types of insect repellent?
There are various types of insect repellents, such as aerosol sprays and mist types.
In addition, if you do not want to apply the drug directly to your skin, there is also a sticker type that you can attach to your clothes.
What is the best insect repellent to use?
This is the best insect repellent! It's difficult to decide, so let's choose according to the age and usage situation of the person who uses it.
●For regular walks with babies and small children…………Icaridin 5% insect repellent
For those who want something that can be used relatively safely even with sensitive skin …… Ikarijin insect repellent
● Camping with children, for those who want to repel insects for a long time …… 5-15% Icaridin aerosol spray
When you're having a barbecue in a place where you're worried about not only mosquitoes but also various other insects, use Deet's insect repellent (check which insects you can repel).
For adults who find it difficult to reapply frequently, such as long hikes in the mountains or outdoor work, use an aerosol spray containing DEET 30%.
Correct application of insect repellent
●Apply evenly to exposed skin and spread with your hands.
●For the face and neck, spray once onto the palm of your hand. Avoid applying near the eyes and lips.
●If it gets in your eyes, immediately rinse well with plenty of water or lukewarm water.
● Babies often put their hands in their mouths, so avoid applying to their hands.
★Do not use on wounds or sun damaged skin. Also, be careful not to rub your eyes with the applied hands.
How to use insect repellent more effectively
[1] Beware of unpainted areas
Simply spraying insect repellent on your skin may leave some areas unpainted. Be especially careful around your neck and behind your knees.
Spray type insect repellent can be applied more evenly by spreading it with your hands after spraying.
[2] Reapply every 2-3 hours
If the insect repellent ingredient drops due to sweating, rubbing against clothing, or exposure to UV rays, the effectiveness will also decrease. Reapply frequently depending on the situation. Pay particular attention to areas that are prone to sweating (such as the back of the knee) and areas that are difficult to protect against insects with clothing.
* The number of times of use for children is determined for products that use DEET. If you need long-term repellent, use Icaridin Repellent.
[3] When used in combination with sunscreen, sunscreen → insect repellent!
In summer, sunscreen is often used along with insect repellent. Applying sunscreen over insect repellent may reduce the effectiveness of the repellent. It is recommended that you apply sunscreen to your skin first, and then apply insect repellent on top after the sunscreen has fully absorbed into your skin and dried.
Simply spraying insect repellent on your skin may leave some areas unpainted. Be especially careful around your neck and behind your knees.
Spray type insect repellent can be applied more evenly by spreading it with your hands after spraying.
[2] Reapply every 2-3 hours
If the insect repellent ingredient drops due to sweating, rubbing against clothing, or exposure to UV rays, the effectiveness will also decrease. Reapply frequently depending on the situation. Pay particular attention to areas that are prone to sweating (such as the back of the knee) and areas that are difficult to protect against insects with clothing.
* The number of times of use for children is determined for products that use DEET. If you need long-term repellent, use Icaridin Repellent.
[3] When used in combination with sunscreen, sunscreen → insect repellent!
In summer, sunscreen is often used along with insect repellent. Applying sunscreen over insect repellent may reduce the effectiveness of the repellent. It is recommended that you apply sunscreen to your skin first, and then apply insect repellent on top after the sunscreen has fully absorbed into your skin and dried.
