Ah, the great outdoors.
We were meant to be outdoors, watching the sun rise and sunset, and all of the glorious daytime in between. But there is nothing more annoying that when you are out enjoying the beauty around you and the wonderful friends and family, then the high pitch buzz of what I refer to as the “flying vampires”. AKA….mosquitos! Those pesky, annoying, itch inducing blood suckers can cause us to do some crazy things. Randomly slap at yourself so you family thinks you might be crazy. Step into the smoke of your campfire to find relief from the flying invasion. Cover up so you can only see your eyeballs, even though it is horribly hot. Or, spray toxic poison on your body so they (the flying vampires) will leave you alone.
Wow! So what are we to do? It is a fact that those flying blood suckers spread disease to us convenient human hosts. I won’t even mention the insane itching that happens later and the occasional infection that may occur when you over itch and break the bite open. I recall as a young one being sprayed head to toe when we were out camping and water skiing. I have a personal, psychological issue with bugs so I always wanted an extra spray. I don’t recall being instructed to wash it off when I went to bed. I didn’t do that until I was an adult. In my child’s mind, that was just extra “scary bug protection”! I always hoped that the inventor of the “magic spray” made a lot of money from my unknowing brain.
My adult brain now understands the health impact using mosquito repellant can have. Did you know that the repellant containing DEET (n, n-diethyl-meta-toluamide) was originally developed in 1946 by the US Army because of “jungle warfare” in the 2nd world war? It must have been VERY buggy for the US to devote time and money to deal with this issue! Yikes! Now there is approximately 200 million propellant based repellant made each year. (Side note, the “propellant” is usually something we have to detoxify too.) It has been estimated that there have been 8 billion doses used over the last 50 years. I know I am definitely a part of that number. And is often the case, it has not been studied in conjunction with other chemicals. It is common knowledge that when you start with one “ingredient” and you add another, you get a different outcome. Same is true with chemicals.
So it is the chemical in the mosquito repellant that contains DEET that really does the job with keeping the “flying vampires” away. It is now available in lotions, creams, soaps, semisolid sticks in addition to aerosols. Typically in an over the counter product the concentration ranges from 10 to 20%, but the army may use a 75% solution which you can often find at camping stores.
So what is the big deal? I know back in the day, if it was around and it would protect me from getting bit, then pass it over so I can spray and protect myself. Yup, now for the reality of what may be occurring in you or your children.
- Insomnia
- Mood disturbance
- Impaired cognitive function/brain fog
- Possible seizure link
Remember, it is really up to how well you are able to detoxify the chemicals that we become exposed to. That determines if you will be one of the people who have a reaction. Something to think about, right? Children detoxify too and if we start loading up their detox factory early, you may be setting them up for some less that optimal health down the road.
So what are we to do? There doesn’t seem to be any win, win solutions here. Well, the good news is there are better options. Companies are making “DEET free” products. Here are a few that you might find in your local store.
- Avon Skin So Soft
- OFF! Botanical Plant Based Insect Repellant
- Cutter Advanced Insect Repellant
- Lavender Spritz (we carry this in the office)
- Bull Frog MosquitoCoast
- Citronella Candles (the smell from these usually triggers a headache in me….:( )
FYI, some of the above will have other not so favorable ingredients in them, like plasticizers, but DEET is a bad boy of chemicals because in inhibits a central nervous system enzyme – acetycholinesterase in insects and animals. We are one big animal, so that will apply to us as well.
Here are some tips if you need to use a DEET product.
- Try to not reapply.
- Do not get a sunscreen with DEET in it. You apply sunscreen more frequently.
- Take the time to wash it off once you are inside. Especially your children!
- Do not use it under your clothes.
- Take you detox support products so your detox factory has the tools it needs to detoxify DEET!
Life is a delicate balance, but when it comes to mosquito’s, for me it’s “game on”! I don’t like getting bit, but I also don’t like increasing my toxic burden either. Only you can decide what the right decision is. Personally, I will be using the Lavender Spritz the next time something wants some of my blood!
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this email is for informational purposes only and has been compiled from years of practice, study and experience by Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC. This information is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for the advice from your physician or any other health care provider, or any information contained in or on any product label or packaging. Do not use information in this email for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease. Always speak to your health care provider before taking any nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement. If you have or suspect that you have a health problem, contact your health care provider immediately. Do not ignore seeking health care advice or delay seeking care because of something that you have read in this email. Information provided in this email DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Full Disclosure: If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this or any of my communications, it is possible that I will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. I only recommend people and programs I believe in and feel that you will get tremendous value from. However, if you ever have an issue with something I recommended please let me know by hitting “reply” and sharing your thoughts.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this email is for informational purposes only and has been compiled from years of practice, study and experience by Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC. This information is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for the advice from your physician or any other health care provider, or any information contained in or on any product label or packaging. Do not use information in this email for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease. Always speak to your health care provider before taking any nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement. If you have or suspect that you have a health problem, contact your health care provider immediately. Do not ignore seeking health care advice or delay seeking care because of something that you have read in this email. Information provided in this email DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Full Disclosure: If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this or any of my communications, it is possible that I will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. I only recommend people and programs I believe in and feel that you will get tremendous value from. However, if you ever have an issue with something I recommended please let me know by contacting us (https://naturalpathfresno.com/contact/) and sharing your thoughts.
