Concerns about safety of Deet?

[tobes01]

Interesting piece on the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8182052.stm

I've heard similar concerns before, but would have thought we'd have spotted a connection by now...

Tobes

 

[Agile]

Looking at the whole article, added to the millions of applications over the years, I am not conerned.

Yes, it is worrying when you look at what it does to plastic - but it was designed as a plastic softner originally. Equally, there are many chemicals out there which damage other substances, but have no effect to us at all - a bit of water and oxygen causes iron to corrode and turn into red "dust". Do you see me running from O2 or H2O any time soon?

Ag

 

[tobes01]

Quite agreed. After all, ethanol has been shown to have damaging effects on the liver but that doesn't stop most of us from chucking large amounts down our necks

 

[He' s left the building]

From the link: 'In work on rodents at the cellular level, deet blocked an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase... The researchers also found that deet interacts with carbamate insecticides, used in agriculture, increasing their toxicity'

As a precautionary measure I am going to stop using DEET at the cellular level on any rats I encounter, particularly if said rats have been anywhere near agricultural regions where they may have also been exposed to carbamate insecticides.

You know it makes sense

 

[dwardo]

If people dont realise when the DEET based sprays melt the plastic on their watch or clothing then something is wrong
It works great but use it sparingly and try to avoid too much repeated skin contact. This information has been around for ever.
Alcohol and ciggies are also bad for pregnant women and children
I generaly try to avoid it unless things get bad at which point i have considered drinking the stuff! Only kidding by the way....

 

[Noddy]

...............

 

[Tye Possum]

I'm not too worried, maybe I'll regret saying that someday but in the meantime, I'd rather not get eaten alive.

 

[Agile]

Either way, I'm sure Malaria is worse for you, so I'll continue to use it whenever I travel into such areas!

 

[leatherneck]

Whenever I use it, I spray it on my cotton clothes and hat. You obviously can't avoid all contact with the skin, but you can really limit it.

 

[jimford]

Whenever I use it, I spray it on my cotton clothes and hat. You obviously can't avoid all contact with the skin, but you can really limit it.

Stops the embarassment of having you clothes eaten, then!

Jim

 

[He' s left the building]

When I worked in the Caribbean, our local staff would not use DEET without first diluting it with skin moisturising cream or oil. This proved more effective than the neat solution as it was less prone to sweating off.

One of the older chaps would use vaseline/oil on his skin to ward off mossies, the insects would not stay on his skin long enough to bite due to the oil.

 

[para106]

After years of using DEET based stuff I've started using Skin So Soft. Nothing to do with ethics or anything, I just find it works just as well. Another plus is that my skin is now so soft!!!

 

[Toddy]

After last month's disastrous trial with the thiamine HWMBLT bought me the new forumla Autan. No Deet, but Icaridin instead.

http://www.autan.co.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_name=Autan.uk-FAQ

I'm delighted to report that it works, it doesn't melt plastic, it doesn't stink and it doesn't blister my skin

However, he also bought me one of these, just in case

http://www.midgejacket.co.uk/jackets.html

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Crafty]

However, he also bought me one of these, just in case

http://www.midgejacket.co.uk/jackets.html

cheers,
Toddy

As if bushcrafters didn't look wierd enough - you must look like your a bee keeper.

 

[Toddy]

When you face the West coast midge in all it's bloodsucking horror hordes then you can call me whatever you like as I stand there in my Midgie jacket and laugh at you

No jacket = midgie hell
Jacket = no midges but I look ridiculous ?

No contest

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Ruvio]

I think i'll be fine with deet, as long as i dont for instance...lick my arms

 

[Crafty]

When you face the West coast midge in all it's bloodsucking horror hordes then you can call me whatever you like as I stand there in my Midgie jacket and laugh at you

No jacket = midgie hell
Jacket = no midges but I look ridiculous ?

No contest

cheers,
Toddy

Okay, just don't get yourself arrested.

 

[smoggy]

Another "alarm" report.............it's safe as long as used correctly.....and if another method works for you then even better!

I ergularly use a DEET based repelent, but a friend of mine uses 100% Deet, which he obtains when he goes to the states, don't think you can get that here, but then again there are no everglades in the UK!

One does have to take that bit extra care with children as they do tend to "lick their arms"! LOL

Smoggy.