Insects, especially mosquitos and ticks, are some of the creatures we try to keep away from us. Getting stung is really unpleasant (and even dangerous if we think of allergies) and we sure do many things to avoid it.
We try to keep insects away and may use different products for this purpose. Does insect repellent sound familiar? Yet, conventional products may contain ingredients which can have side effects.
Instead of choosing this type of products, you can go for a healthier alternative. An organic insect repellent is a good example.
You may think what makes this type of product healthier than the conventional ones. All of this stands in the ingredients used and how they differ.
In order to understand these aspects better, we will discuss them more broadly and explain them clearly. Let’s take a look at them.
Conventional insect repellent ingredients
Conventional insect repellents contain some active ingredients which manage to keep insects away. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamideta-toluamide) is one of them. This is the most used and most effective active component invented by people.
A strong advantage of this ingredient is that it can keep away disease-spreading insects. Here we include mosquitos carrying malaria or ticks with Lyme disease.
Short exposure to this chemical does not cause serious problems. Yet, there are studies which show it can affect the central nervous system.
DEET may not be really indicated for pets. If you spray your dog, for instance, it will lick that area and indigest the product. This can have certain side effects, but the amount for this to happen depends from one dog to another. Some of the symptoms include:
- tremors
- vomiting
- skin irritation
- coordination loss
There are other insect repellent products which contain pyrethrins. This is a pesticide made from the chrysanthemum flower. These products are not as strong and as efficient as DEET ones.
Just as DEET, pyrethrins is not considered poisonous, especially if we’re speaking of exposure to small quantities (less than 2 grams). It has some side effects, though, and some of them are:
- headaches
- nausea
- difficulty in breathing
- coughing
- ringing in the years
Besides these, children under two years old should not be exposed to products which contain pyrethrins. It can also make asthma worse and cause some allergic reactions, especially for people who are sensitive to chrysanthemum and other flowers from this category (marigolds, daisies).
Organic insect repellent characteristics and benefits
Conventional insect repellents are not very dangerous products, but if you want a safer and healthier option, organic insect repellents are a smart choice.
They use different ingredients than the ones we talked before. This means no harsh chemicals or pesticides. Plant-based oils such as citronella or lemongrass are great examples.
Besides going for alternative ingredients, organic insect repellents also come with some amazing benefits for you.
Healthy option for your skin
This is a great benefit if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies. Because organic insect repellents use organic ingredients, you may not have to worry about side effects and irritations.
Although, you should be careful with the ingredients used in these products as well. To be 100%, make an allergy test. Put a small amount of insect repellent on your skin and see how you react.
Safe for your pets
We’ve mentioned earlier your pets may experience some side effects. Organic insect repellents are usually safe for pets and you may not want to worry about using these products around them.
In order to avoid unpleasant situations, you should consult your vet, especially if you are thinking of using an insect repellent for your pets as well.
Note: Always check if the products are certified as organic by an authority. Look on the company’s website or contact them.
Organic insect product recommendations