Can mosquito repellents with sunscreen ingredients effectively protect you against both mosquito bites and harmful ultra-violet sun rays?
The Consumer Council has surveyed the market for outdoors anti-mosquito products in an effort to heighten consumer awareness in the prevention of Dengue Fever.
Dengue Fever has risen sharply in Guangdong; 70 cases were reported within two days alone earlier this month. There were 276 cases up to September 7 in 2006.
In Hong Kong, the Department of Health reported 24 imported cases of Dengue Fever so far this year.
Using mosquito repellents, anti-mosquito patches and spray while outdoors remains one of the most effective preventive measures against the spread of the disease.
In the survey it was found that a relatively new type of 2-in-1 mosquito repellent lotions with sunscreen ingredients was being marketed for outdoors use.
In the view of the Consumer Council, 2-in-1 repellent products with DEET as the active ingredient may not be suitable for the purpose of some consumers.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have pointed out the considerable differences in the usage instructions between DEET-based insect repellents and sunscreen products.
In most situations, insect repellent does not need to be reapplied as frequently as sunscreen.
So, in a DEET-based 2-in-1 product, you may not get enough sunscreen protection if you use it as an insect repellent. Or, conversely, excessive repellent if you intend it for sunscreen purposes.
The proper application to achieve protection against mosquitoes and the sun while outdoors is to first apply the sunscreen and followed by the insect repellent.
Some people and, in particular, children may be allergic to certain repellent(s). Applying a small amount of the repellent on the wrist before use is recommended as an allergy test.
Mosquito repellent tissues should not be used as ordinary wet tissues for cleaning purposes. When using the products, consumers should avoid contact with the mouth, nose, eyes and wounds.
Consumers should take note in the application of mosquito repelling products, such as anti-mosquito patches and spray, specifically for clothing and the like.
They should take care to avoid attaching or spraying it directly on the skin, and also to ensure that the surface of the clothings treated by these products does not come into direct contact with the skin.
According to the World Health Organization, using pyrethroid-containing insecticides, rather than mosquito repellents for body application, to treat clothings may provide better protection against mosquitoes.
In general, the effectiveness of a mosquito repellent for body use depends on a number of factors: the active ingredient(s) and concentration, weather, personal and environmental factors. It deteriorates over time with most claiming to last for a few hours.
Consumers are advised to always read and follow the usage instructions to ensure the products are used safely and effectively.
Suppliers are urged to provide clear label information about the active ingredient(s) and its content(s), user direction, bilingual safety alert, dosages and the maximum number of doses per day for adults and children, and the contact information of the local agent.
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