To 100% Deet or 30% Deet?
Nov 16th, 2008 | 03:21 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2008
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To 100% Deet or 30% Deet?
Hi Forum,
Curious if anyone has any experience using 100% Deet? I've purchased Ben's 100% Deet and Ben's 30% Deet. We'll be traveling in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. I'm guessing we'll only really need the spray in Chiang Mai at night. But want to be safe when we go on the Elephant and River rides during the day as well. We've read on this forum to bring/use 100% Deet; however, we've heard from the guys at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) that we should not spray directly on our skin and should only be sprayed on clothing...that 100% deet actually can burn your skin and is strong enough to melt plastic. The back of the package actually says: "Keep off synthetics, plastics, furniture and painted surfaces. May damage leather...If you suspect a reaction to this product, discontinue use and call your local poison control center." Can this really be safe on skin!? Curious what people's experiences have been with Deet and what's best to use in Thailand 100% or 30%...or the standard less than 10% you'd find in any drug store Cutter or Off product.
Curious if anyone has any experience using 100% Deet? I've purchased Ben's 100% Deet and Ben's 30% Deet. We'll be traveling in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. I'm guessing we'll only really need the spray in Chiang Mai at night. But want to be safe when we go on the Elephant and River rides during the day as well. We've read on this forum to bring/use 100% Deet; however, we've heard from the guys at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) that we should not spray directly on our skin and should only be sprayed on clothing...that 100% deet actually can burn your skin and is strong enough to melt plastic. The back of the package actually says: "Keep off synthetics, plastics, furniture and painted surfaces. May damage leather...If you suspect a reaction to this product, discontinue use and call your local poison control center." Can this really be safe on skin!? Curious what people's experiences have been with Deet and what's best to use in Thailand 100% or 30%...or the standard less than 10% you'd find in any drug store Cutter or Off product.
Nov 16th, 2008 | 06:38 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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I don't know where on this forum you read to use 100% deet. As the guys at EMS told you, 100% deet is not for application to the skin. Use a deet product with 20-50% deet; really the 30% deet is ideal. Products with this level of deet are safe for application to the skin as well as being the most effective repellant.
Don't buy a product with less than 10% deet. You should be able to find many products with 20-50% deet, most are in the 20-35% range. There are both Cutter and Off products with the appropriate percentages of deet.
There is a new repellant which is also effective called picardin. It has to be reapplied more often, but some people prefer it.
You will need the spray in CM. You may need the spray during the day as well as at night depending on where you are. Any time you notice mosquitos, use the repellant. You may need the repellant in some parts of Phuket.
Don't buy a product with less than 10% deet. You should be able to find many products with 20-50% deet, most are in the 20-35% range. There are both Cutter and Off products with the appropriate percentages of deet.
There is a new repellant which is also effective called picardin. It has to be reapplied more often, but some people prefer it.
You will need the spray in CM. You may need the spray during the day as well as at night depending on where you are. Any time you notice mosquitos, use the repellant. You may need the repellant in some parts of Phuket.
Nov 17th, 2008 | 07:29 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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We have used 100% DEET directly on our skin in the past without problem, and it has been effective.
Contrary to EMS, EPA http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsh...icals/deet.htm does not say that 100% should not be used on the skin, and Consumers Reports (June 2006) says that OFF Deep Woods 98% is most effective insect repellent that they tested.
Having said that, we use Ultrathon, made by 3M, as it has 34% DEET, and is a cream which is portable and feels better. It is rated second, just below OFF Deep Woods. I get it at Walmart.
Contrary to EMS, EPA http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsh...icals/deet.htm does not say that 100% should not be used on the skin, and Consumers Reports (June 2006) says that OFF Deep Woods 98% is most effective insect repellent that they tested.
Having said that, we use Ultrathon, made by 3M, as it has 34% DEET, and is a cream which is portable and feels better. It is rated second, just below OFF Deep Woods. I get it at Walmart.
