Mosquito spray is safe for adults, but not so safe for infants.
Mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases and pathogens that can be extremely dangerous, particularly for infants, whose immune systems are not yet fully developed. You may be tempted to use mosquito repellent on your infant, particularly the type that you spray directly on the skin. However, this should be avoided for certain infants. Does this Spark an idea?
DEET
A common ingredient in many spray-on mosquito repellents is a chemical called DEET, or Diethyl-meta-toluamide. It was first developed by the United States military for jungle warfare as an insect repellent. It is believed to work by blocking the olfactory receptors of biting insects from chemicals in human skin, effectively blinding them. The Center for Disease Control has recommended that a 30 to 50 percent concentration of DEET in a spray is effective at preventing the spread of pathogens carried by mosquitoes.
Safety
Mosquito sprays containing DEET should never be used on infants less than 2 months of age. It can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals and it may be impossible to tell in advance if your infant is allergic. The Massachusetts Department of Health recommends that if DEET-based products are applied to children over 2 months of age, the concentration should be no more than 30 percent to lessen the severity of possible skin reactions.
Organic Spray
Natural repellents are available that contain various plant oils like lemon oil or eucalyptus oils instead of DEET or other chemicals. These can be just as effective as DEET-based repellents, but they should never be used on children under the age of 3.
Infant Protection
To protect infants from mosquito bites, New York City Department of Health recommends that babies be dressed in long sleeves when possible. This will block the mosquitoes' access to the skin, keeping them from biting. It also recommends mosquito nets. These thin, mesh nets can be draped over strollers and keep mosquitoes from gaining access to the infant.
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