In Reply to: DEET? posted by Chris on Wednesday, 16. January 2008 at 15:35 Bali Time:
Deet, or diethyl tolumaide, no doubt CAN have harmful effects.
Yet nowadays there is little concern for using common products like Aerogard that do contain Deet. Used appropriately there is low chance for any harmul effects. Adults may experience rash or minor skin problems, but this is only a low percentage. If you have sensitive skin, perhaps test your bug repellant on a small area before using it properly.
Basically, use it as you need, don't drown yourself in it unnecessarily, and don't inhale or ingest it, or spray it your eyes/open wounds, etc etc...
There have been a couple of cases where children (around the age of 3-5) have reacted quite badly to deet, so it's best kept away from children. Some of these cases, required 2 weeks of the child's bedding to be sprayed with strong a concentration of deet insect repellant.
I have no medical training, I'm just an aspiring doctor, so don't take my words as gospel!
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks!