Hi Moms,
My son (almost 4) is itching his legs like crazy when he comes in from playing outside (he has super sensitive skin to begin with).. At school he had little red dots on his legs (went away the next morning) but the itching has continued... I read that repellent with DEET in it is good for children...
Any suggestions for an all natural bug repellent? I only plan to put it on his legs..
Thanks!
Thanks moms.. I definitely won't be getting anything with DEET in it..
I like California Baby spray. No deet. I find it at Target or Amazon. Smells ok, not sticky or greasy. Keeps the bugs away! Love it!
We accidentaly came across an Avon product, which is a bath oil and works like an insect repellant too. It's Skin So Soft Bath Oil. We love it! (I don't sell Avon) ;-) Hope this helps
Vanilla. Sounds weird, but it works, and you probably have all the "ingredients" already at home!
Fill a spray bottle 3/4 with water. Fill it the rest of the way with vanilla extract. (Imitation vanilla is fine, but it works better with real vanilla.) Spray your child, and watch him be bite-free!!
We use California Baby brand.
Do NOT use DEET! It is a toxic pesticide and should only be considered if you are in an environment that poses a risk of disease through insect bites, and certainly not for young children. Here's the low-down- http://www.sierraclubchinook.org/Pesticides/AboutDEET.html
Go to a health food store or co-op and get an all natural bug repellent. We use Burts Bees Outdoor Herbal Insect Repellent and it works great, but there is a lot to choose from, as long as it's natural your little guy will be protected safely.
The little red dots that go away the next day sound like flea bites. ? If he's getting those from school, I would let them know he is coming home with the bites so they can eliminate the problem. Poor little guy! Good luck!
I had pretty good luck with the Jason's organics one. Caveat - some people hate the way it smells. I liked it though. I got it at drugstore.com.
Good luck!
My son has a terrible allergic reaction to any type of bug bites and I use Off (with Picaridin). In my experience, it’s just as effective as Deet. Here is an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org/family/wnv-jun05.htm
AVON makes an insect repellant that I swear by...Skin so soft Bug Guard Plus-Expedition. The cost is about $15 when not on sale and 1/2 price when on sale. It works great, lasts for hours, is waterproof and has SPF 30.
I spray it on my 4 yr old and 6yr old before they leave for school every morning. Good luck.
My son gets bit like crazy...and we definitely avoid DEET at all costs. We use Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent and it works wonderfully! As long as we coat him well, he stays bite free!
Avon sells SkinSoSoft; and using plain Aloe with several drops of Lemon and Lavendar extract (also great for the hair to ward off Lice) will repel insects. DEET is not good, as it is toxic and will be absorbed when applied.
Contact your local health food store and inquire about products they recommend. Ask also about Aveeno bath (oatmeal) which we use during chicken pox. It will alleviate itching and soothe the skin.
Best wishes, S.
NO DEET- very toxic!
Make sure he eats NO sugar, and then if he takes B vitamins the bugs won't want to bite him.
Sugar makes them want to bite you.
Plant marigolds in the yard- that helps, too.
Best , k
I just ran across this...vinager, but in a bottle and spray on it will work, you will smell of vinager until it dries but once dries you wont smell it anymore. We used it while camping and it worked!
Dr. Schultz's "Bug Block" from American Botanical Pharmacy
Skin so soft oil (the original) , citronella soaps or lotions, daily dose of garlic (I doubt your kid would take it).
I recommend Tough & Tender w/ Sol U Mel. Safer, non-toxic way to repell bugs. It is what we use. Let me know if you want more info.
SwyFlotter by Kiss My Face. I buy it @ Whole foods. Smells nice not like citronella.
Get Vicks VapoRub (or generic mentholatum ointment) & dot by his ankles, backs of his knees, wrists, insides of elbows, & back of his neck - the strong menthol scent will keep most of them away. If he's getting hives on his legs, check with the teacher to see what they are using on the rug - my son was SUPER allergic to the fragranced Lysol his K teacher was spraying on the rug when strep was going around. Good luck -
I use citronella oil on my self and have had great success.
For my son, I usually will put a drop or two on his shirt collar and his socks.
I have heard good things about the Burt's Bees brand stuff.
Good Luck.
I use the california baby bug spray also and it seems to work well and smells good.
