Photo Courtesy, Veronica Beltran, CKPG News.

By Veronica Beltran

Bug spray

TYH: ‘Tis the season for the bugs, the bites and the itch: Bug spray

Jun 9, 2020 | 8:00 AM

I love spring. It’s one step closer to summer. But the bugs, ugh, the bugs. I hate those so much!

Luckily, the human race has created several ways to keep the bugs at bay during the time of year when they’re at their peak, and bug spray is one of those.

Patrick Dinelle, Pharmacy Manager at Third Ave. Pharmacy says that while the spray to keep the bugs off is great, we should use care when dousing ourselves in the repellent.

“Bug spray should be used just when you need it.”—Patrick Dinelle, Pharmacy Manager, Third Ave. Pharmacy

If you know you are heading to an area where the bugs will be bad, Dinelle says to spray the repellent on your exposed skin and on the clothes you are wearing. Don’t use it if you don’t have to as it can be a bit irritating to your skin.

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Avoid spraying on wounds or on sunburns, as that could cause further irritation of the area, and even blistering of the skin.

“If you accidentally ingest some bug spray, you should probably call the poison hotline.”—Patrick Dinelle, Pharmacy Manager, Third Ave. Pharmacy

It’s quite possible to get some bug spray in your mouth in the middle of a spray, if you do, Dinelle says calling the poison hotline is a good idea. Stomach upset could be potential side-effect of ingestion.

Your activity level also depends on how often you re-apply bug repellent, the more you sweat, the more you may have to re-apply. Dinelle says application should only be done, up to three times a day.

There are child specific bug repellents which are less concentrated, therefore being less irritating on the skin of those 12 and under.