DEET chemical structureDEET is available in many insect repellents
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Diethyltoluamide

DEET (CAS# 134-62-3) is an insect-repellent chemical (Chemical name: N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide or Benzamide, N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-). It is intended to be applied to the skin or to clothing, and is primarily used to protect against insect bites. In particular, DEET protects against tick bites (which transmit Lyme disease) and mosquito bites (which transmit dengue fever, West Nile fever and malaria). more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
Dacarbazine
Dactinomycin
Dalmane
Danazol
Dantrolene
Dapoxetine
Dapsone
Daptomycin
Daraprim
Darvocet
Darvon
Daunorubicin
Daunorubicin
Daypro
DDAVP
Deca-Durabolin
Deferoxamine
Delsym
Demeclocycline
Demeclocycline
Demerol
Demulen
Denatonium
Depakene
Depakote
Depo-Provera
Desferal
Desflurane
Desipramine
Desmopressin
Desogen
Desogestrel
Desonide
Desoxyn
Desyrel
Detrol
Dexacort
Dexamethasone
Dexamfetamine
Dexedrine
Dexpanthenol
Dextran
Dextromethorphan
Dextromoramide
Dextropropoxyphene
Dextrorphan
Diabeta
Diacerein
Diacetolol
Dial
Diamox
Diazepam
Diazoxide
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Diclohexal
Didanosine
Dieldrin
Diethylcarbamazine
Diethylstilbestrol
Diethyltoluamide
Differin
Diflucan
Diflunisal
Digitoxin
Digoxin
Dihydrocodeine
Dihydroergotamine
Dihydrotachysterol
Dilantin
Dilaudid
Diltahexal
Diltiazem
Dimenhydrinate
Dimercaprol
Dimetapp
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyltryptamine
Dimetridazole
Diminazene
Diovan
Dioxybenzone
Diphenhydramine
Diphenoxylate
Dipipanone
Dipivefrine
Diprivan
Diprolene
Diproteverine
Dipyridamole
Disulfiram
Disulfiram
Dizocilpine
Dobutamine
Docetaxel
Docusate sodium
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Dolobid
Dolophine
Domperidone
Donepezil
Dopamine
Dopram
Doral
Doramectin
Doriden
Dornase alfa
Doryx
Dostinex
Doxapram
Doxazosin
Doxepin
Doxil
Doxil
Doxorubicin
Doxy
Doxycycline
Doxyhexal
Doxylamine
Drisdol
Drixoral
Dronabinol
Droperidol
Drospirenone
Duloxetine
Durabolin
Duragesic
Duraphyl
Duraquin
Dutasteride
Dv
Dyclonine
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

DEET was developed by the United States Army, following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II. It entered military use in 1946 and civilian use in 1957.

DEET is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. Studies into the health effects of DEET have not shown any significant harm to human health (other than for those who are allergic to DEET), but concerns arising from its chemical composition mean that care should be taken in its application. Current mainstream medical opinion is that any dangers posed by DEET are greatly outweighed by those of the serious insect-borne diseases which DEET helps prevent. However, some newer repellents offer alternatives. Repellents containing picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil were reported by Consumer Reports to be about as effective as repellents containing DEET, though medical studies have differed on the effectiveness of alternatives. A number of tests have shown DEET to be the most effective and longest-lasting insect repellent available.

Because of its relative harmlessness, DEET is often sold and used in concentrations up to 100%. Although this offers the strongest short-term protection against insect bites, it is often not as effective in the long term as formulas containing less DEET (30%-60%). The reason for this is that pure DEET will not long adhere to human skin, and will evaporate, rub, or wash off in time. Formulas with lower concentrations often contain lotions or other agents which allow the formula to adhere to skin longer and provide longer-lasting protection. Any lessening of the strength of the protection as a result of the lower concentration may be countered by applying a greater quantity of the substance. Likewise, pure DEET may be reapplied as necessary to sustain the desired level of repellence.

DEET is believed to work by blocking insect receptors (notably those which detect carbon dioxide and lactic acid) which are used to locate hosts. DEET effectively "blinds" the insect's senses so the biting/feeding instinct is not triggered by humans or animals which produce these chemicals.

DEET can damage some plastics, rayon, spandex, other synthetic fabrics, leather, and painted or varnished surfaces; it does not damage natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, and has no effect on nylon.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


New options for repelling mosquitoes presented
From AORN Journal, 7/1/05

Americans have new options to protect themselves from mosquito bites this summer, according to an April 28, 2005, news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A new CDC guidance on effective mosquito repellents includes the addition of two active ingredients--picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus--that have proven to offer Long-lasting protection from mosquitoes.

Picaridin (ie, KBR 3023) has been used for some time in mosquito repellents that are available in Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Asia. A product containing 7% picaridin will be distributed in the United States for the first time this year. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (ie, p-menthane3,8-diol [PMD]) is a plant-based product that is available in a number of products sold in the United States. Repellents that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) also continue to be a highly effective repellent option. Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and OEET at[ are registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency and are considered safe and effective when used according to label instructions.

CDC Adopts New Repellent Guidance for Upcoming Mosquito Season (news release, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 28, 2005) http:// www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressret/r050428.htm (accessed 26 May 2005).

COPYRIGHT 2005 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Return to Diethyltoluamide
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay