{"id":26690,"date":"2024-11-05T14:48:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T12:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vaccinatiepunt.nl\/?p=26690"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T11:22:11","slug":"how-to-protect-yourself-against-mosquitoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vaccinatiepunt.nl\/en\/hoe-beschermt-u-zich-tegen-muggen\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you protect yourself from mosquitoes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You are going to a country where there are mosquitoes that carry diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and
transmit zika fever. How do you prevent bites from these mosquitoes? Products containing DEET or
containing icaridin offer the best protection.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is DEET?<\/strong>
DEET (diethyltoluamide) is found in products you smear (or spray) on your skin to keep mosquitoes away from you
keep. There are lotions, gels, sprays and sticks for sale with DEET. The amount of DEET varies per
product. Use products with a strength of 30 to 50% DEET. A lower percentage of DEET provides
cause the product to protect you for less time. A percentage of DEET higher than 50% does not work any better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is icaridin?<\/strong>
Icaridin (picaridin) is in products you smear on your skin to keep mosquitoes away from you. In the Netherlands
is one product available with 15% icaridin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When should you use DEET or icaridin?<\/strong>
When to use DEET or icaridin depends on the mosquitoes that live there and the diseases they
transfer.
You get malaria from mosquitoes that in the evening and at night<\/strong> sting. Opinion:
\u2192 Use mosquito repellent in the evening and at night (between sunset and sunrise).
\u2192 Between sunset and sunrise, wear clothes that cover your skin as much as possible. Remember
long sleeves, long trousers, shoes and socks. This will prevent mosquito bites.
\u2192 Use mosquito repellent only on areas of your skin where there is no clothing.
\u2192 Sleep under a mosquito net (mosquito net).
\u2192 Sleep in an air-conditioned room, this will protect you from mosquitoes while you sleep.
\u2192 Also read the LCR traveller leaflets on malaria.

You get yellow fever, dengue, Zika and chikungunya from mosquitoes that sting during the day. Advice:
\u2192 Use mosquito repellent by day<\/strong>.
\u2192 Use mosquito repellent only on areas of your skin where there is no clothing.
\u2192 Read the LCR Traveller leaflets on dengue, zika fever and chikungunya.
Note! In some areas, it is therefore important that you have daytime as well as evening and nighttime
anti-mosquito measures.

Is DEET or icaridin safe?<\/strong>
Both mosquito repellents are safe if used properly.

Tips when using DEET or Icaridin<\/strong>
\u2192 Are you using a spray? If so, do not spray directly on your face, but on your palms first.
Then rub the remedy on your face.
\u2192 Are you using sunscreen? If so, apply sunscreen first and then the
mosquito repellent product.
\u2192 Do you go swimming or sweat a lot? Then use the product more often.
\u2192 Use the product only on skin where there is no clothing.
\u2192 Use mosquito repellent not<\/strong>:
- on your lips or in your eyes (avoid contact even after use)
- on wounds, scratches or otherwise damaged skin
- on irritated skin
- on badly sunburnt skin
Did any of the above happen anyway? Then rinse the product off with water.
Note! Always read the product's leaflet too.

DEET or icaridin in children<\/strong>
\u2192 For children under 2 years of age, choose an anti-mosquito repellent containing up to 30% DEET.
\u2192 Do not use icaridin in children under 13 years of age.
\u2192 Do not let children rub themselves in. Put the product on your palms and lubricate your child like this
(including when sprayed).
\u2192 Do not lubricate your child's hands. This will prevent the child from getting the mosquito repellent on his mouth
gets or rubs his eyes.

DEET or icaridin in pregnancy and lactation<\/strong>
Are you pregnant? Then choose a product with a maximum of 30% DEET. Research shows that use of
DEET during pregnancy is safe. The safety of icaridin during pregnancy is not good
studied. This drug is therefore not recommended for pregnant women.
Are you breastfeeding? Do not apply or spray DEET on and around your nipple(s). Also wash your hands before
you are going to feed. This will prevent DEET from getting on your baby's mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How often should you use DEET or icaridin?<\/strong>
See the table below as a guide to the maximum<\/strong> number of times you use DEET per day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Amount (%) of DEET in the mosquito repellent<\/td><\/tr>
20%*<\/td>21- 30%<\/td>31- 40%<\/td>41% -50%**<\/td><\/tr>
Adults<\/td>Up to 5 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Up to 4 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Maximum 3 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Maximum 2 times
per 24 hours<\/td><\/tr>
Pregnant people<\/td>Up to 5 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Up to 4 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Do not use<\/mark><\/td>Do not use<\/td><\/tr>
Children up to 2 years<\/td>Up to 5 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Up to 4 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Do not use<\/td>Do not use<\/td><\/tr>
Children from 2 years<\/td>Up to 5 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Up to 4 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Maximum 3 times
per 24 hours<\/td>		Maximum 2 times
per 24 hours<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Lower than 20% DEET does not provide sufficient protection for the tropics and is not recommended
** Above 50%, protection duration is no better or longer and is therefore not recommended by the LCR.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Icaridin works for an average of 8 hours against the mosquitoes that transmit malaria. The drug works on average 4
hours against the mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever, dengue, zika fever and chikungunya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download the leaflet below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n