Travelling and worried about mosquito bites? If mosquitoes are among the main troublemakers on your family holiday, find out how you can use repellents to your advantage.
Going on a family holiday always sounds great, but it's also a time when new concerns and questions arise that you don't usually think about. One of the issues to think about when going on holiday is insect bites and how best to avoid them.
Travel and repellents are an ideal combination that can help you avoid more worrying moments, especially if you take your children with you. But it is important to know: what types of insect repellent exist? What are the best repellents for children?
Among your options you will find spray repellents, roll-on, electric ones and even repellent bracelets. Getting to know them better will help you make a more informed decision, to ensure that summer and repellents are the perfect combination. Come and find out which are the best repellents to take on your family holiday.
What types of repellent are there?
Looking at the types of repellent you will find several types, of which we would like to highlight:
Spirals or Serpentines (electric repellents that spray insecticide);
- Spray or roll-on (which have an immediate protective effect but a shorter duration, with the advantage of being easy to apply and carry);
- Repellent bracelets (whose action is more prolonged but the concentration, by norm, is weaker, being, even so, one of the simple and effective options of repellent for children);
- Citronella-based stickers (a natural substance whose odour, although pleasant for people, tends to keep mosquitoes away).
How long do repellents last?
Currently marketed insect repellents last on average about 4 hours. Even so, since there is a variation in concentration from product to product, it's important that you always read the instructions to understand how long you should leave it between applications.
Other factors, such as body temperature and the tendency to sweat, may cause these times to vary slightly from person to person.
It is important, when applying the repellent on yourself or your children, to follow the instructions for use, paying attention to the dosage and how long it should last.
Advice for use common to almost all these products is to apply the product carefully on the face area, avoiding contact with the eyes, nostrils and mouth. It is also important to wash your hands after application and to take care not to swallow the product or apply it on sore or irritated areas of the skin. Remember also to leave the packaging out of the reach of children.
The main repellents on the market
The main repellents on the market contain DEET (diethyltoluamide), EBAAP or Picardine. Among these, the use of the first is not recommended for children up to two months old, the others being safer options.
Other recommendations on repellents
To guarantee 100% mosquito-proof travel, there are other recommendations you can follow that will help you avoid unwanted insect bites. It is recommended, for example, that along with your repellent, you wear loose-fitting clothing that covers a larger area of your body and that is light-coloured.
Did you know how to act to improve your protection and that of your children? Tell us which repellent you prefer to turn your holidays into a carefree moment and enjoy the best that summer has to offer.
