Is it safe for a breastfeeding mom to use insect repellent?

Is it safe for a breastfeeding mom to use insect repellent?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency, insect repellents are considered safe for breastfeeding moms when used as recommended. (They're also safe forpregnant women.) Find out when you can safely use bug repellent on your baby.

They're also an important part of protecting yourself from tic- and mosquito-borne viruses, especially when you're visiting or living in places where these illnesses are common. (See our articles on Zika, dengue, and West Nile for more information and travel advisories.)

Products containing the active ingredients DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 offer safe and longer-lasting protection. Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (para-menthane-diol) are also safe but most don't last as long. (Don't use pure oil of lemon eucalyptus.) Citronella products are safe but don't last as long.

(Permethrin is also a repellent, but it's not safe to use on skin. Permethrin products are for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear.)

Read product labels carefully to see how often to apply and be sure not to reapply more often than recommended. The percentage of DEET is an indicator of how long it will be effective – not of how well it will work. The higher the percentage, the less often you need to apply it – up to DEET concentrations of 50 percent. (Concentrations higher than 50 percent won't give you any added protection.)

Follow these safety precautions when using insect repellents:

• Apply repellents only to exposed skin or clothing, as directed on the product label. Never apply repellents under your clothing.
• Never use repellents on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Don't apply repellents to your eyes or mouth. Apply sparingly around your ears. Don't spray repellent directly on your face. Spray it on your hands and then wipe them over your face.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and clothing. Heavy application does not give you better or longer lasting protection.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when you use repellents repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days.
• If you get a rash or other reaction from a repellent, stop using it, wash with mild soap and water, and call a local poison control center for further guidance. If you go to a doctor, take the repellent with you.
• Don't use combination repellent/sunscreen products. Use a separate sunscreen and follow the instructions on the label. Apply the sunscreen first, followed by the repellent.