Is deet in insect repellent harmful? Is there an alternative?

I've read internet articles stating deet can be a harmful chemical. My insect repellent contains deet and I'm worried about it.





Is there an effective alternative to deet or does nothing else work as well? Is there another product I should try?Is deet in insect repellent harmful? Is there an alternative?
Deet can be a harmful ingredient in the insect repellents because it has been proven to enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin and cause side affects such as rashes and hives, uncontrollable twitching, and muscle spasms which can lead to death. I've used deet products multiple times though and haven't experiened any of those things, but you never know. Make sure after the use of every application though to wash it off good with soap and water.


Some alternatives to deet are citronella oil, icaridin, and permethrin. Also, some good deet-free products to use are Skin So Soft by Avon and Picaridin.Is deet in insect repellent harmful? Is there an alternative?
its pretty safe unless youre using the relaly strong 70% stuff and pretty much trying to inhale it. there is another repellant called picardin that is newer, it works just as well and it stinks less and feels less gunky i think theyre both pretty safe though. most of the other crap like lemon eucalpytus and citronnella are only good for maybe half an hour to an hour or dont work at all.
Wow, that is a good question. We're out in mosquitoes quite a bit at night lately. I'd rather not use any chemicals.





I have heard, but have not yet tried the following remedies to keep mosquitoes and biting flies away:





A clothes dryer sheet kept on your person (?? maybe clipped to your shirt or jacket?





Also, CO2. Word is that CO2 our bodies give off is what attracts the biting insects. When dry ice 'melts' it gives off CO2, so dry ice near you is supposed to (??!!?) attract the bugs and keep them off of you. Rumor (as of yet, unverified) has it that meat is shipped in dry ice to keep it cold so a butcher shop/department may have some.





HTH.
We don't use any repellants with deet - it can cause cancer. There are several insect sprays that are non-deet (I think some of them have a citronella base) and they work well.