By Sam Bennison
To Your Health

A spray a day keeps the bugs away

Jul 23, 2024 | 5:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance but can also lead to diseases even in Canada. Bug repellant can keep them off but what should you choose?

If you’re looking for a spray there is Deet and Icaridin. Deet works by making it harder for bugs to smell humans and bite them. While Deet can be used for adults, Brett Chiasson, a pharmacist at Third Ave Pharmacy, says Icaridin is recommended for kids 6-months-old to reduce any risks that are associated with Deet such as neurological disorders.However Icaridin should not be used on children younger then six months.

Icaridin also lasts longer than Deet.

“20 per cent Icaridn lasts for about eight hours. Whereas, the strongest Deet that you can find is about 30 per cent and it only lasts for about four to six hours,” says Chiasson

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Chiasson also recommends applying bug spray 15 minutes before exposure that way it has time to soak in. While, both swimming and sweating can wash off bug spray, but it is important not to reapply too many times as it could irritate your skin.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com

by Sam Bennison

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