View Full Version : Natural Insect Repellant
StGeorge
07-26-2009, 21:03
Recently I've been using an all-natural insect repellent that contains lemon grass, eucalyptus and peppermint, among other ingredients. I notice that, especially when I'm sweating, I sometimes get a burning sensation and some slight redness, especially on my forearms.
Are natural insect repellent containing these ingredients known to cause this kind of reaction?
wrongway_08
07-26-2009, 21:35
Peppermint. Also you could just be having a reaction to one of the ingredients, might not effect others.
Snowleopard
07-26-2009, 21:49
Some of the 'natural' ingredients in insect repellents aren't all that good for you. Most of the 'natural' insect repellents give me an instant asthma attack. A skin reaction might be an allergy to one of the ingredients. Peppermint does give a burning sensation, but shouldn't cause redness unless there's some sort of allergy.
Pennyroyal used to be used in black fly dope; this is toxic to humans at fairly low doses and is really not recommended.
I would be careful with the natural stuff. It may be found in nature,but not natural for the human body. Not saying it is any worse than deet though.
Blissful
07-26-2009, 23:19
You should discontinue the use if irritation develops.
If you are looking for a natural insect repellent to repel flying insects like mosquitos, gnats, and flies, a few hiker friends and myself have had exellent results with the Don't Bite Me transdermal patches. The 36 hr. long patches are stuck to your bare skin 2 hrs. before they start to take affect. The active ingredients are aloe vera and vitamin B 1 that work on the premise of masking the ammonia from your sweat and the carbon diaxide in your breath which is what these insects are attracted to. They are not widely available in stores, but I have found them in healthfood type stores in the vitamin/natural product sections.