Mosquito repellents may irritate your skin, but they're not dangerous.
A mosquito-repellent wristband works by emitting vapors that fend off insects. Wristbands that repel insects are doused in relatively harmless chemicals and can offer some protection around the immediate area. Does this Spark an idea?
Active Ingredients
Chemicals used on bug-repelling wristbands include citronella, DEET and geraniol. DEET is one of the most popular pesticides in the United States and has been deemed safe by the EPA when used as directed. In laboratory testing, citronella shows little or no toxicity to humans, but may cause skin irritation. Geraniol could cause an allergic reaction, as well as eye and skin irritation.
Geraniol
Geraniol is an alcohol derived from plant oils and is known to prevent bites from mosquitoes, fire ants, fleas, gnats, ticks and other insects. It was the first effective alternative to pesticides containing DEET.
Citronella
Oil of citronella, which is derived from two types of dried grass, has been used for more than 50 years as an insect repellent. Citronella does not harm or kill insects, but its aroma interferes with the insect's ability to locate a host.
Efficacy
In one test conducted by a researcher at the Institute of Environmental and Human Health, a volunteer wearing a citronella-soaked wristband received five mosquito bites. On her unprotected arm, she received 14 bites. In an unofficial test of geraniol-soaked wristbands, volunteers reported receiving fewer bites as well.
Tags: derived from, irritation Geraniol, skin irritation, skin irritation Geraniol