What is deet and should you worry about it?
DEET is the most studied EPA-registered insect repellent active ingredient, effective against mosquitoes and ticks. The CDC reports its efficacy peaks around 50% concentration, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends products applied to children contain no more than 30% DEET.
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Concentration and over-application: The real concern with DEET for families is not that low concentrations are unsafe, it is that higher concentrations add irritation risk without adding protection. The CDC reports that DEET efficacy tends to peak at approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products applied to children should not contain more than 30% DEET.
Short-term irritation: NPIC notes that while uncommon, products with DEET can cause short-term eye or skin irritation. The EPA advises applying repellent only to exposed skin, never under clothing or over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
Carcinogenicity: The EPA lists DEET as not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity, and NPIC notes that none of the common repellent ingredients have been shown to damage genes in lab tests.
Rare neurological effects: EWG notes that in very rare cases DEET has been reported to impair the nervous system, with symptoms including seizures, tremors, and slurred speech, which is part of the rationale for limiting concentration on children.
Gear damage: EWG and REI both note DEET can damage plastic, rubber, and vinyl on clothing, backpacks, glasses, watches, and cameras.
US EPA: DEET is EPA-registered, meaning the manufacturer provided EPA with technical data on effectiveness. The EPA states DEET is approved for use on children with no age restriction and that there is no federal restriction on the percentage of DEET for use on children.
CDC: Recommends EPA-registered repellents and states DEET can be used on children older than 2 months; EPA-registered products are considered safe when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
American Academy of Pediatrics: Recommends that products applied to children contain no more than 30% DEET.
Health Canada / EWG: EWG recommends following Canadian guidance limiting DEET to 30% in any product, with weaker concentrations for young children (5 to 10% DEET for ages 2 to 12, no DEET under 6 months).
How to reduce exposure
Match the DEET concentration to your time outdoors rather than reaching for the strongest bottle: the AAP notes 10% DEET protects for about 2 hours and 30% for about 5 hours, and the CDC reports efficacy peaks near 50% with no added benefit above that. For children, stay at or below the AAP's 30% cap, and per the EPA apply to your own hands first and then onto the child rather than letting children handle the product. Apply only to exposed skin, never under clothing or over broken skin, and wash it off with soap and water once you are back indoors. EWG notes DEET can damage plastics, so keep it away from glasses, watches, and gear.
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DEET is considered safe for most children when used as directed, but not for newborns. The CDC says DEET can be used on children older than 2 months, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products applied to children contain no more than 30% DEET. The EPA advises applying it to your own hands first and then onto the child, rather than letting children handle the product. For babies under 2 months, neither the CDC nor the AAP recommends DEET, so physical barriers like mosquito netting are the safer choice.
More DEET buys you time, not strength, and there is a ceiling. The CDC reports that DEET efficacy tends to peak at approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes 10% DEET protects for about 2 hours and 30% for about 5 hours. For children, the AAP recommends staying at or below 30%, and EWG suggests 5 to 10% for ages 2 to 12. Choose the concentration that matches how long you will be outside rather than the highest available.
The CDC recommends that DEET can be used on children older than 2 months. Below that age, neither the CDC nor the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends DEET. The AAP also notes that it does not recommend insect repellents for children younger than 2 months at all, so for newborns, physical barriers such as mosquito netting over a stroller or carrier are the safer option.
No. Higher concentration extends how long the protection lasts, but it does not make the repellent stronger, and there is a ceiling. The CDC reports that efficacy peaks at approximately 50% and that concentrations above that offer no marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes. NPIC similarly notes products with more than 50% DEET offer no extra protection. Very high concentrations only raise the risk of short-term skin or eye irritation, so the practical move is to match the percentage to your time outdoors.
DEET can cause short-term irritation in some people. NPIC notes that while uncommon, products with DEET can cause short-term eye or skin irritation, and the EPA warns never to apply it over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. EWG notes that in very rare cases DEET has been reported to impair the nervous system, with symptoms including seizures and tremors, which is part of why concentrations on children are limited. The EPA lists DEET as not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. Apply only to exposed skin and wash it off when you are back indoors.