Protection from mosquito bites is best achieved by avoiding infested habitats (difficult task when living in Sao Paulo), wearing protective clothing (not easy when it´s very warm) and using insect repellent.
As options 1 and 2 are not very feasible, applying repellent to the skin may be the best way to protect against insect bites.
Basically, 2 options are available
Diethyltoluamide (DEET) (sold as OFF, AUTAN, REPELEX) and Icaridin (or picaridin) sold under the name of EXPOSIS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) as a first-line mosquito repellent
BUT, BUT BUT at a concentration of 20% WHICH IS NOT WHAT IS SOLD IN BRAZIL UNDER ANY BRAND!!!!
One of the most widely recommended mosquito repellents internationally is N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (commonly known as diethyltoluamide, or DEET). There are many and varied registered DEET formulations available, ranging from less than 10% through to 80% concentration. There is a considerable body of scientific work supporting their safety and effectiveness, with laboratory and field investigations demonstrating that DEET effectively protects against a range of nuisance-biting and vector mosquito species.
What does the DEET concentration mean?
The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective. A higher concentration does not mean that the product will work better; It means that it will be effective for a longer period of time. Therefore, products containing lower concentrations of DEET may need to be reapplied, depending on the length of time a person is outdoors.
IF YOU BUY DEET IN BRAZIL, READ THE LABEL!!! Given the very low concentration of all repellents, provided protection does not last long enough and we have to reapply it very often. (every 30 mns!!!)
This makes these products totally useless....
IT IS BETTER TO BRING DEET FROM USA (and check for correct concentration on american products) CDC USA recommends at least 20% DEET concentration, and with this level, protection should last a median time of 4 hours. Unfortunatly, brazilian products only have 10% concentration, so don´t buy them.
Picaridin or Icaridin
In Brazil, it is better to buy Picaridin because its concentration guarantees protection for 4 full hours (brand name is EXPOSIS)
Picaridin has been shown in laboratory and field investigations to provide protection from biting mosquitoes.Registered formulations range in concentration from 9% to 20%. Alongside DEET, it has been widely recommended by health authorities internationally. Picaridin-based formulations are generally considered cosmetically more pleasant to use.
Icaridin in Brazil has a correct concentration (25%) and should provide protection for 4 hours. It can be used in babies after they are 6 months old
As options 1 and 2 are not very feasible, applying repellent to the skin may be the best way to protect against insect bites.
Basically, 2 options are available
Diethyltoluamide (DEET) (sold as OFF, AUTAN, REPELEX) and Icaridin (or picaridin) sold under the name of EXPOSIS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) as a first-line mosquito repellent
BUT, BUT BUT at a concentration of 20% WHICH IS NOT WHAT IS SOLD IN BRAZIL UNDER ANY BRAND!!!!
One of the most widely recommended mosquito repellents internationally is N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (commonly known as diethyltoluamide, or DEET). There are many and varied registered DEET formulations available, ranging from less than 10% through to 80% concentration. There is a considerable body of scientific work supporting their safety and effectiveness, with laboratory and field investigations demonstrating that DEET effectively protects against a range of nuisance-biting and vector mosquito species.
What does the DEET concentration mean?
The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective. A higher concentration does not mean that the product will work better; It means that it will be effective for a longer period of time. Therefore, products containing lower concentrations of DEET may need to be reapplied, depending on the length of time a person is outdoors.
IF YOU BUY DEET IN BRAZIL, READ THE LABEL!!! Given the very low concentration of all repellents, provided protection does not last long enough and we have to reapply it very often. (every 30 mns!!!)
This makes these products totally useless....
IT IS BETTER TO BRING DEET FROM USA (and check for correct concentration on american products) CDC USA recommends at least 20% DEET concentration, and with this level, protection should last a median time of 4 hours. Unfortunatly, brazilian products only have 10% concentration, so don´t buy them.
Picaridin or Icaridin
In Brazil, it is better to buy Picaridin because its concentration guarantees protection for 4 full hours (brand name is EXPOSIS)
Picaridin has been shown in laboratory and field investigations to provide protection from biting mosquitoes.Registered formulations range in concentration from 9% to 20%. Alongside DEET, it has been widely recommended by health authorities internationally. Picaridin-based formulations are generally considered cosmetically more pleasant to use.
Icaridin in Brazil has a correct concentration (25%) and should provide protection for 4 hours. It can be used in babies after they are 6 months old
