Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Infections - Prevention

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DEET products should never be used on infants younger than 2 months. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, DEET products can safely be used on all children age 2 months and older. The EPA recommends that parents check insect repellant product labels for age restrictions.

If there is no age restriction listed, the product is safe for any age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use concentrations of 10% or less; 30% DEET is the maximum concentration that should be used for children. In deciding what concentration is most appropriate, parents should consider the amount of time that children will be spending outside, and the risk of mosquito bites and mosquito-borne disease.

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When applying DEET, take the following precautions:

• Do not use on the face, and apply only enough to cover exposed skin on other areas.
• Do not over apply and do not use under clothing.
• Do not apply over any cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Parents or an adult should apply repellent to a child and not let the child apply it. They should first put DEET on their own hands and then apply it to the child. They should avoid putting DEET not only near the child's eyes and mouth but also on the hands (since children frequently touch their faces).
• Wash any treated skin after going back inside.
• If using a spray, apply DEET outdoors -- never indoors. Spray repellents should not be applied inside or directly on anyone's face.

Picaridin. Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023 or Bayrepel, is an ingredient that has been used for many years in repellents sold in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. A product containing 7% picaridin is now available in the United States. Picaridin can safely be applied to young children and is also safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin work better than other products for protection against ticks.

Self-Inspection and Tick Removal

Self-Inspection. The tick is unlikely to transmit the infection within 3 days of the bite, but prompt removal is still important. The following tips are important for self-inspection:

• Ticks responsible for Lyme disease are very small and may resemble freckles or scabs.
• People spending time in tick-infested locations should inspect themselves several times a day, including at bedtime.
• Check nonexposed areas, such as the back of the knee, as well as exposed areas. Someone else should check the scalp, back of the neck, and other difficult to reach areas.
• Check clothing as well as skin. A tick on can be hidden in folds or creases.