No items found.

Drugs.com : It’s Buggin’ Me! How to Safely Use an Insect Repellent

Why Should I Use an Insect Repellent?

The use of insect repellents is a safe and effective way to prevent insect and tick-borne diseases.

Mosquito bites can lead to:

  • West Nile virus
  • Zika virus
  • Malaria
  • Dengue fever
  • Encephalitis

while the small deer tick can cause Lyme disease. Other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Powassan virus, Ehrlichiosis, African Tick-Bite Fever and Encephalitis.

American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is caused by a parasite spread by triatomine bugs in parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America, especially rural areas.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends the use of insect repellents to prevent transmission of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Most cases of malaria diagnosed in the U.S. originate from other parts of the world.

Read the full article on Drugs.com here.

LAST UPDATED

October 21, 2023

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Drugs.com

Media Mentions from Drugs.com

Drugs.com is the largest, most widely visited, independent medicine information website available on the Internet. Our aim is to be the Internet’s most trusted resource for drug and related health information. We will achieve this aim by presenting independent, objective, comprehensive and up-to-date information in a clear and concise format for both consumers and healthcare professionals.

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

It absolutely works like a charm whether you’re sitting in the backyard or hiking deep in the woods.

Diva Anwari
Contributor for MSN.

Media Mentions

If you have some that isn’t pre-treated with permethrin, you can buy some to spray on your own netting/clothing before use.

The RV Geeks
Contributor

Media Mentions

“We tested this bug repellent on park outings and used it for a long day of yard work. It earns high marks for effectiveness, keeping us protected from any bug bites, even despite exposure to sweat,” The Spruce says.

Dawn Magyar
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com