Insect Repellant
Synopsis of Insect Repellant
Insect repellant refers to any substance used to deter insects from landing on or biting the skin. While not a health condition itself, the use of insect repellants is a preventive measure that reduces the risk of bites that may lead to itching, allergic reactions, or transmission of diseases such as Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika, malaria, or dengue fever.
Repellants work by masking human scent, repelling insects through scent or chemical irritation, or disrupting insect sensory receptors. Many commercial repellants contain DEET, picaridin, or permethrin, but natural options are gaining popularity due to concerns over toxicity and skin sensitivity.
Common biting insects targeted include:
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Mosquitoes
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Ticks
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Fleas
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Flies
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Gnats
When to use repellants:
When spending time outdoors, especially in wooded, grassy, or humid environments, or in areas with known insect-borne disease risks, repellants are an essential preventive measure.
Natural remedies for Insect Repellant
Apply Natural Oils: Such as diluted essential oils from citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, or lemongrass.
Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves, pants, and hats help prevent skin exposure.
Avoid Scented Products: Fragrances in lotions, soaps, and shampoos can attract insects.
Use Fans or Netting: Moving air and physical barriers help reduce insect presence.
Avoid Standing Water: Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds near living areas.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Insect Repellant
activated charcoal
allspice
beta-pinene
betel
black walnut
garlic bulb
Japanese sophora
lavender
monolaurin
peppermint oil
reishi mushroom
vitamin C
vitamin E
zinc
bentonite
typhonium
clerodendrum indicum
paederia foetida
privet
moss
lemongrass
sheep's sorrel
eucalyptus
camphor oil
melaleuca alternifolia
geranium
impatiens
Asclepias cordifolia
Alpha-terpineol
Azelaic acid
Aphid
Abrus
Alchornea
Allspice
Albizia (unspecified)
Asam gelugor
Activated Charcoal
Abrotanum
African Basil
Aloe
allyl isothiocyanate
Alum
American Chestnut
Adsorbant
benzyl alcohol
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Black spruce
Buckthorn Plantain
Benzalkonium chloride
Betel
Balsam Poplar
Brazillian peppertree
Beta-pinene
Bisabolene
Brine
Blend (Mineral)
Birch (unspecified)
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
Balsam (unspecified)
Bear Garlic
Benzyl benzoate
Balsam of Peru
Black Walnut
Cyperus (unspecified)
Candleberry
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
Cajuput
Camphor
Commiphora (unspecified)
Chlorophyll
Cedar
Colombo
Clerodendron
Cottonseed
Camphor
Cedrus libani
Copper
Carminic acid
Castile Soap
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Copaiba Oil
Colocynth
Cicada
Citronella
Chondrus
Desmodium molliculum
Decaglycerol monolaurate
Daphne
Dogwood (not specifed)
Devil's Club
Desmodium (unspecified)
Davilla rugosa
Denatured alcohol
Eastern Red Cedar
Erodium cicutarium
English Horsemint
English Plantain
Echinacea (mixed)
Euphorbia (unspecified)
Fomes fomentarius
Ficus religiosa
Farnesene
Ficin
Fleabane (unspecified)
Fern-leaf yarrow
Fir (unspecified)
Glyceryl monolaurate
gamma-terpinene
Geranium (unspecified)
Glyceryl monolaurate
Geranial
Geranium
Glycerol monolaureate
Glyceryl dilaurate
Guazuma ulmifolia
Honeysuckle
Himalayan Cedar
Hound's Tongue
Henna
Hyaluronidase
Hydrogen peroxide
Isobutylamide
Insect wax
Japanese camphor
Jessica's Sticktight
Lime
Lemon Eucalyptus
Lupulone
Lactoperoxidase
Latex
Missouri Snakeroot
Mountain horopito
Mustard (unspecified)
Mimosa pudica
Monterey Pine
Monolaurin
Nandina
Nonionic surfactant (unspecified)
Osha
Oriental arborvitae
Octyl Glycerate
Peppermint leaf
Pepper Bark Tree
Polypodium
Pellitory
Paederia foetida
Paper mulberry
Pedra hume
Povidone
Pine (unspecified)
P-menthane-3,8-Diol
Polygodial
Pyrophyllite clay
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Red Spiderling
Rhododendron (unspecified)
Rhus glabra
Silver nitrate
Streptomyces (unspecified)
Siberian Fir
Serrapeptase
Sensitive Plant
Salt (sea)
Southernwood
Soapberry
Sheep Sorrel
Silk Tree
Sapindus mukorossi
Sulfur
Sandy Everlasting
Stone Root
Styrax balsam
Silver (usp)
Tillandsia
Tamarix (unspecified)
Tolu Balsam
Thymol
Tansy
Tea Tree
Tea Tree Oil
Three-Leaf-Caper
Terpinolene
Thuja plicata
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wormwood
Wild carrot
Zanthoxylum piperitum
