Essential oils instead of Deet repellent
What is DEET?
DEET is the friendly abbreviation for diethyltoluamide: it is one of the most effective and widely used active ingredients in commercially available insect repellents worldwide. The use of DEET-based mosquito repellents is not recommended for children under 12 years of age: if absorbed, this substance has a high degree of toxicity. Furthermore, if you have sensitive skin, particular attention should be paid to DEET, as there is a risk of skin irritations.
If you still choose a DEET-based repellent, it is advisable to opt for a product that contains an active ingredient concentration of less than 20% and make sure to read the enclosed leaflet carefully.
When was DEET introduced?
DEET was introduced commercially in 1956. Millions of people have used it over the last sixty years, and the incidence of permanent damage directly linked to this substance is certainly extremely limited. However, it is important to limit the use of toxic substances we come into daily contact with: these synthetic molecules can take several days to be eliminated from the body. Furthermore, numerous recent studies show that exposure to DEET can have serious repercussions on the central nervous system: a Duke University study found that animals exposed to DEET in quantities equivalent to human exposure significantly worsened their muscle performance. Researchers at the University of Angers (France) have also confirmed the neurotoxicity of DEET: it appears that this substance inhibits the production of an enzyme by the nervous system - acetylcholinesterase - directly involved in the control of neuronal activity. The Canadian government has for some years applied strong restrictions on the sale of DEET-based products exceeding a 20% concentration of the active ingredient (normally the quantity varies between 10% and 35%).
Alternatives to DEET repellents
Essential oils are a safe, effective, and natural alternative to synthetic repellents. They are produced by plants to protect themselves from molds, bacteria, and parasites or to attract pollinating animals. They are simply "plant chemistry": the effectiveness of essential oils such as Citronella, Peppermint, Lavender, and Geranium, when used correctly, is absolutely comparable to that of many synthetic products. An important difference concerns duration: in the case of an essential oil-based mosquito spray, the product must be used several times a day. For nighttime, however, it is sufficient to spray it generously on pillows and sheets as well as on feet and ankles, thus allowing the oils to fix on the fabric and accompany us throughout our sleep. Some essential oils - such as Peppermint - are surprising parasiticides; they can even prevent the hatching and proliferation of mosquito larvae.
Why choose natural remedies
Rather than "why choose natural remedies" we tend to ask ourselves "why not," when the practicality and effectiveness of the products are absolutely comparable. A spray based exclusively on essential oils can be used on skin, fabric, sheets, in the environment, and in the car by adults and children. A natural product can therefore cover a wider range of applications than almost all Deet-based repellents. All this without considering that by using essential oils, it is possible to benefit from the aromatherapy action of the plants' active ingredients, without causing any harm to the environment.
Even if a natural mosquito repellent requires a few extra sprays, we ask ourselves, "why not choose natural remedies?"
Opinions on DEET
Many people don't attach much importance to using a toxic substance in contact with the skin. It should be taken into account that if a single synthetic product doesn't harm, what is potentially harmful is daily exposure to the hundreds of toxic molecules we come into contact with.
Beyond the myriad of studies, research, and scientific articles that can be found on the dangers posed by DEET, it would perhaps be useful to pause for a second to think about the nature of what we mean by "protection" or "cleanliness." Paying more attention to our consumption choices is much less complex than it seems.
"Sow a thought and you reap an act; Sow an act and you reap a habit; Sow a habit and you reap a character; Sow a character and you reap a destiny." C. Reade
Below are some sources that clearly illustrate different opinions on DEET:
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