If it hits again repellents

Even before mosquitoes can sting: Defend better immediately!
The weather is at its best and invites you to linger in the countryside, if there were not these annoying insects. "Active protection against insect bites and stings provide repellents, insect repellents. Especially for infants and toddlers as well as elderly and sick people, insect protection measures are of particular importance, "says Klaus Scholz, Vice President of the Bremen Pharmacist Chamber. In the pharmacy, the customer receives information about active ingredients and the correct use of the various products. Properly protected, outdoor living is also fun again.

"Repellent" comes from the Latin and means something like "keep away" or "expel", and that's exactly what repellents do: they keep the little tormentors away from the body. After application, a thin scent coat is created on the skin. This ensures that the insects no longer perceive the human body odor. Properly used, the products protect against mosquitoes, flies, brakes and ticks, among other things. "Degrees and ticks transmit diseases such as malaria or Lyme disease in certain regions. Therefore, it makes sense to take advantage of the range of services offered by pharmacies and protect themselves accordingly, "explains Scholz. "Anyone who has already been stung should apply something to the itching and possible swelling. This prevents scratching, which can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. "

Much rain and heat: The weather currently provides the best conditions for a rapid increase of mosquitoes. The insects are not dangerous, but often become very annoying. But you can also keep the plague spirits away. (Image: nechaevkon / fotolia.com)

Various active ingredients
There are several insect repellent products on the market. Most effective are synthetic repellents containing the active ingredients DEET, Icardin, EBAAP or DMP. In the pharmacy they are available in various forms, for example as a pen, gel or spray. "However, these drugs can cause skin irritation and other reactions, so they are not recommended for pregnant women and toddlers. To avoid danger, expecting mothers and parents should be advised to choose the right drug in the pharmacy, "Scholz recommends. In addition to synthetic, there are also herbal repellents, such as eucalyptus, lavender or citronella. However, they are characterized by a much lower and shorter effectiveness and do not provide reliable protection.

application Notes
According to Scholz, the following must be observed during use: "It is important to apply insect repellent early, comprehensively and without gaps. Eyes, lips, nose and injured skin regions, however, remain free. "If additional use of sunscreen, the repellent should be applied only 15 to 30 minutes later, otherwise the sunscreen loses its effectiveness. Especially after contact with water or heavy sweating, the effect of insect repellent disappears. In this case, the preparation is to be applied again.

Further protective measures
Since repellents do not offer 100% protection against bites and stings, it makes sense to follow further clothing and behavioral rules. Scholz suggests: "Wear light, body-covering clothing that is not too tight. These can additionally be impregnated with insect repellent. You should also refrain from perfume or perfumed soap. "It is also essential to take a shower regularly to rinse off mosquito-attracting substances that are contained in the sweat. Insect screens in front of windows and doors prevent insects from entering the house. In addition, a mosquito net over the bed protects against nightly puncture attacks.