What to apply to children to protect them from ticks? - briefly
Apply an EPA‑registered repellent containing 10‑30 % DEET, 10‑20 % picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing, following the product’s age‑specific instructions. After outdoor activities, inspect the child’s body and clothing for attached ticks and remove any found promptly.
What to apply to children to protect them from ticks? - in detail
Effective tick protection for minors requires a combination of topical repellents, clothing treatment, and regular body checks.
Topical agents approved for pediatric use:
- DEET formulations containing 10 %–30 % concentration; suitable for children over two months old. Higher percentages provide longer duration but do not increase potency.
- Picaridin at 10 %–20 % concentration; safe for children older than two years and comparable in efficacy to DEET with a milder odor.
- IR3535 at 10 %–20 % concentration; authorized for children of any age and offers moderate protection.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) at 30 % concentration; not recommended for children under three years due to limited safety data.
Apply the chosen product to exposed skin, avoiding eyes, mouth, and open wounds. Reapply according to label directions, typically every 4–6 hours for DEET and picaridin, or after swimming or heavy sweating.
Clothing treatment:
- Spray permethrin 0.5 % solution on shirts, pants, socks, and shoes. Allow treated garments to dry completely before dressing.
- Permethrin remains effective through several washes; re‑treat after five washes or when the smell diminishes.
- Do not apply permethrin directly to skin; it is toxic if absorbed through the epidermis.
Physical measures:
- Dress children in long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes when entering wooded or grassy areas.
- Tuck pant legs into socks to create a barrier.
- Use light-colored clothing to facilitate visual tick detection.
Post‑exposure protocol:
- Conduct a thorough inspection of the entire body within 24 hours of returning from the outdoors.
- Remove attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping close to the skin, pulling steadily without twisting.
- Disinfect the bite site and wash hands.
Choosing a repellent should consider the child’s age, skin sensitivity, and activity duration. Combining a skin‑applied repellent with permethrin‑treated garments offers the highest level of protection against tick bites.