Deet

Repellent with the broadest spectrum of activity against insects.

The active ingredient DEET is highly effective in its action on insects. Therefore, products containing this ingredient are recommended, especially for the defence against disease-transmitting insects. Icaridin was developed in 1946 for the US Army. It has been in general use since 1957 in a 20-25% concentration. The protection usually lasts for 4-12 hours.

DEET has been tested for its efficacy against various ectoparasites and compared with the repellent icaridine. A broad spectrum of efficacy was shown against Anopheles mosquitoes, Aedes mosquitoes, Culex mosquitoes and ticks, among others. Compared to Icaridin, it is clearly less skin tolerable. It is not recommended to apply it on large areas of the skin.

The mechanism of action is unknown. Probably, the lactic acid receptor is inhibited at the insects' antennae.

The Repellent should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Occasionally neuro- (encephalopathies) and cardiotoxic side effects have been reported.

Due to the increasing spread of the vectors (mosquitoes) and increased travel activity, mosquito-borne infections - such as leishmaniasis, dengue fever and malaria - represent an increasingly relevant health risk for travellers. In this respect, repellents belong in every travel pharmacy.

In the USA and UK 30% DEET is approved for children > 2 months. The simultaneous application of external agents containing salicylic acid or urea is not recommended.

Contact of DEET with plastic materials should be avoided.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) Protection against mosquitos, ticks and other insects and arthropods. www.cdc.gov
2. Hofmann H (2015) Repellants. In: E v. Stebut (Ed.) Travel medicine. Springer Publishing House Berlin-Heidelberg294-297
3. Care F (2009) Prevention with repellent in children. Arch Pediatr 16 Suppl 2:S115-122.
4. Uzzan B et al (2009) Efficacy of four insect repellents against mosquito bites: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled field study in Senegal. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 23: 589-594.