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The Amazing Power of Insect Repellents: Why Are They So Important for Preventing Disease?
In our daily lives, insect repellents often become a must-have for outdoor activities in summer. As global climate change and mosquito species change, the demand for these "repellents" is increasing, especially when facing the threat of infectious diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and Zika virus, their role is particularly important.
Insect repellents are not only effective in preventing mosquito bites, but they also reduce the spread of diseases caused by nuisances, which can cause alarming mortality rates in some areas.
Insect repellents are typically applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces to prevent insects and other arthropods from landing or climbing on them. The repellents that exist today can be divided into two categories: synthetic and natural. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluidine) is one of the most effective synthetic repellents, and its effectiveness is closely related to its concentration. .
Synthetic repellents are generally more durable and effective than natural repellents, making them recommended by many experts for epidemic prevention in high-risk areas.
Scientific studies have shown that many insect repellents provide significant protection against specific mosquito species, such as the yellow-spotted mosquito (Aedes aegypti). For example, a 2015 New Mexico State University study found that only one repellent that did not contain DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil, was effective against this mosquito species.
However, not all repellents work as expected. The effectiveness of many natural repellents tends to wear off 30 to 60 minutes after application. Additionally, testing by an independent consumer organization showed that repellents with added DEET or icaridin provided almost 100% protection in the first two hours, while natural products required frequent reapplication.
Safety and considerations for use
Safety also becomes an important issue when using insect repellents. Chemical repellents should be used with caution around children and pregnant women. Because children have more sensitive skin, studies show they may be at higher risk from accidental contact or ingestion.
In the Canadian study, experts recommended that if DEET is used, you should wait 30 minutes before applying sunscreen to reduce the risk of deep penetration of the skin. Independent studies have also pointed out that long-term high-dose exposure to DEET may cause insomnia, mood disturbance and even impaired cognitive function.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DEET use has been associated with a small number of epileptic seizures, but the incidence is negligible relative to widespread use.
Among natural repellents, lemon eucalyptus oil is highly regarded for its low toxicity, while certain plant oils such as citronella and balsam pear offer a short-term protective effect. However, the effectiveness of these natural ingredients may be greatly reduced due to environmental factors, and personal experience shows that the effects vary from person to person.
New repellent methods and future prospects
With the advancement of technology, more and more new insect repellent methods are being created. For example, some sound-based repellent devices are available on the market, which mainly use ultrasonic waves to repel insects, but many studies have confirmed that the actual effect of these devices is minimal.
While these new technologies have captured the attention of consumers, actual research results emphasize that none of them have replaced the effectiveness of traditional chemical repellents.
With the intensification of global environmental and public health issues, research on more effective repellents has become an issue of growing concern. In the future, more repellents based on natural ingredients may appear to meet the market's demand for improved safety. demand. However, during this process, consumers should always remain vigilant to choose the safety protection measures that are most suitable for them.
Have we found the most appropriate means of protection against the threat of mosquito-borne diseases?
