Sunday, June 17, 2007

In case you didn't know: Sunscreen and Bug Repellent Can be Harmful

I recently learned that combining sunscreen and bug repellent can be harmful to children. What? We live in southeast Texas where everyone needs protection from bugs and sun. This article explains the problem. I can't believe I've never heard this before.

Insect repellent should be applied one time a day while sunscreen should be applied often. Most parents reapply insect repellent too frequently. There are also studies which show that sunscreen might actually cause several times more DEET to be absorbed into the blood.

13 comments:

Susan in St. Paul said...

They actually sell sunscreen with bug repellent in it. I think Coppertone makes one. Deet also reduces the effectiveness of sunscreen.

Suray said...

Sunscreen is definitely harmful for our skin...

Deek Deekster said...

I reckon we need the old Aussie rememdy - a wide-brimmed hat with corks!

Adela said...

I thought they banned DEET thirty years ago. I must be thinking of something else.

Susan in St. Paul said...

Laura you are thinking of DDT.

I am sun sensitive. I am not fond of sunscreen, though I do wear some everyday, usually the chemical free kind with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Mainly I wear sun protective clothing. Hmm maybe I should blog on that.

There is also that RIT stuff you wash in, I have worn long sleeve rayon t-shirts in Vegas that had been washed in it outside in the blazing sun for quite a while and not gotten sunburned through it.

deek-the Aussie motto these days is slip,slop, slap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slip-Slop-Slap.

I was thinking about getting some Deet impregnated cloth and make something from that. Maybe put some on the brim of the solarveil hat I am working on.

Anonymous said...

Also a great website for sun protective clothing for the family is www.shadysun.com

They also carry an aromatherapy broad spectrum sunscreen.

They were featured this month in Parents Magazine.

Mommy said...

Eeek! Everyone that lives down here should be aware of that. Thanks for the heads up. :)

OldHorsetailSnake said...

I don't want any of this chemistry. Can't we go back to soda and alcohol rubs?

Laurie said...

Susan - There are questions about the sunscreen/insect repellant combinations, too.

Suray - I don't doubt it.

Deek - Now, that's a good idea.

Laura - I thought the same thing. I was confused.

Susan - "Deet impregnated cloth" doesn't sound very sexy.

Anonymous - Thanks for the link. :)

Jen - That's what I was thinking. I couldn't believe there hasn't been a bigger uproar about this.

Old Horsetail - I'll send the girls right over.

Susan in St. Paul said...

Laurie-I always remove my hat before sex ;)

Laurie said...

Susan - I like to leave my hat on.

TexasGal said...

I had no idea. And I just bought my dad a small travel size thingy of bug repellent and sun screen combined for his golf bag. I better tell him.

Laurie said...

Texas Gal - They say it's not so bad for adults but who knows?