Don't overuse mosquito repellents
DurgeshNandan Jha
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New Delhi:
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May Lead to Allergic Reaction, Skin Irritation Due to High Toxicity: Docs
Growing awareness about dengue has led to a dramatic increase in sales of mosquito repellents. From mosquito repellent creams to coils, there is a variety of options to choose from. But experts advise caution in selecting repellents due to their high toxic levels.Allergic reaction and skin irritation are some of the most common side-effects of improper usage of repellants.Doctors say the coils emit carcinogenic fumes.
“Last year, I got a few cases of allergic reaction to cream repellants. These were severe and the patients had to be medicated for the symptoms to subside,“ said Dr Charu Goel Sachdeva, senior consultant, internal medicine, at Rockland Hospital. Children are at maximum risk if they ingest the chemical accidentally .
“Most mosquito repellants use synthetic pyrethroids, a structural derivative of naturally occurring pyrethrins (an extract from the flower, chrysanthemum). Some of them also contain DEET as their active ingredient. They should not be used in higher concentrations to avoid toxicity or allergic reactions,“ said a senior doctor. Some studies have also suggested that DEET poison ing can cause neurologica damage leading to disorienta tion, clumsiness when walk ing and seizures. According to Dr Kabir Sardana, dermatologist at Lok Nayak Hospital, one should keep children away from mosquito repel lants. “ Allergic reaction is common in people who apply the repellant on cuts or wounds,“ he said.
To exploit people's fear about chemical repellants, many companies are also marketing herbal alternatives.But the experts say these are less effective and their effect does not last longer.
“The key message should be to use repellants safely .Whether you use it in the form of spray , cream or vaporizer, one must follow the manual,“ said Dr Sardana.
The Indian market for var ious repellants is in the range of over Rs 600 crore with an annual growth of about 10%.With increasing environmental degradation leading to the creation of mosquito breeding grounds, demand is set to increase further, say experts.
“If we keep our surroundings clean, need for medications would be less. Weekly emptying and drying of all standing water sources, good drainage, sealing overhead tanks and eliminating standing water in drains can help much more,“ said a senior corporation official.
“Last year, I got a few cases of allergic reaction to cream repellants. These were severe and the patients had to be medicated for the symptoms to subside,“ said Dr Charu Goel Sachdeva, senior consultant, internal medicine, at Rockland Hospital. Children are at maximum risk if they ingest the chemical accidentally .
“Most mosquito repellants use synthetic pyrethroids, a structural derivative of naturally occurring pyrethrins (an extract from the flower, chrysanthemum). Some of them also contain DEET as their active ingredient. They should not be used in higher concentrations to avoid toxicity or allergic reactions,“ said a senior doctor. Some studies have also suggested that DEET poison ing can cause neurologica damage leading to disorienta tion, clumsiness when walk ing and seizures. According to Dr Kabir Sardana, dermatologist at Lok Nayak Hospital, one should keep children away from mosquito repel lants. “ Allergic reaction is common in people who apply the repellant on cuts or wounds,“ he said.
To exploit people's fear about chemical repellants, many companies are also marketing herbal alternatives.But the experts say these are less effective and their effect does not last longer.
“The key message should be to use repellants safely .Whether you use it in the form of spray , cream or vaporizer, one must follow the manual,“ said Dr Sardana.
The Indian market for var ious repellants is in the range of over Rs 600 crore with an annual growth of about 10%.With increasing environmental degradation leading to the creation of mosquito breeding grounds, demand is set to increase further, say experts.
“If we keep our surroundings clean, need for medications would be less. Weekly emptying and drying of all standing water sources, good drainage, sealing overhead tanks and eliminating standing water in drains can help much more,“ said a senior corporation official.
