Can children safely use DEET and other repellents?
According to the CDC: “No definitive studies exist in the scientific literature about what concentration of DEET is safe for children. No serious illness has been linked to the use of DEET in children when used according to manufacturer’s recommendations.” Pediatricians typically suggest avoiding the use of repellents on infants younger than 2 months and advise DEET concentrations up to 30 percent. Repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus often carry a label warning that they should not be used on children under the age of 3.
