Does this stuff work?

[JT]

I saw an LL Bean advertisement for hats, shirts and other apparell treated with something called Insect Shield. They claim it's safe, effective against skeeters, ticks, etc. and lasts for about 70 launderings. I Goggled "Insect Shield" and got a page that makes the stuff for Bean and a bunch of other companies. They sell the stuff so as you can treat your own clothes, at a pretty hefty price. The active ingredient is called Permethrin.
My question is: Has anybody tried this stuff, and if so, how did it work out?

[mindehankins]

That's the same stuff that's in the headlice treament called Nix. I personally would not use it unless an insect bite could kill me or a loved one. You'll probably get mixed views on that.
Here's a link to a pretty good wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin
And what the CDC says about Permethrin:
http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/treatment.html

I've seen some kids with pretty torn up scalps from over-zealous use of Nix.

[RickG]

Looks like good stuff and is certainly safer than DEET without that nasty melts-plastic feature. Thanks for the tip.

Cheers, RickG

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

It might be good if you were to go hiking and you're wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt. When in the Caribbean, the problem is that you're not wearing heavy clothes. You can't put this stuff on your skin, right?

[mindehankins]

Good point, Rick. I WOULD consider using it for the hubby.

[djmom]

I would see this is a great option for something like a camping trip-to keep away ticks, ...or if you are in an area with a lot of mosquito-borne illness.

Otherwise I would be very hesitant--especially on a regular basis. At least wearing it directly against the skin. Maybe with a tee shirt underneath would be ok.

There are very very bad warnings on all of these lice preparations-this chemical must be very toxic. If it can wash out of a shirt, then if it is directly on the skin, the chemical could probably be absorbed. over time and that could add up.

So if I am somewhere where there is malaria, I would be all over this and be very excited about it. But anywhere else, just for the nusiance of bites and to use less bug spray, I am thinking the bug spray is probably a better option as it is in a known concentration and has "probably" been better tested.

A risk-benefit thing. And I get eaten alive by mosquitos. But you talk to any school nurse and they will tell you to not use the lice treatment even one extra time if not absolutely needed.

Just my 2 cents...

[loria]

hmm.this stuff has been fairly extensively reviewed by the National academy--they point out a number of gaps in teh basic research
http://npic.orst.edu/hottopic/ptc/tox.html
however, there are alot of unanswered questions--one thing they are fairly clear about (and i have NOT read the entire book) is that you shoudl NOT use DEET and impregnated clothing together
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/news/da ... _02_04.htm
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/news/da ... _14_06.htm
these folks warn against the fact that this stuff hasn't been really tested and doesn't carry adequate info in terms of labelling, etc.
that being said they are on the left side of the pesticide issue-- As am I (not that there haven't been some very beneficial applications of pesticides/pestcontrol)
Still, all things considered, unless i was in an area at high risk for malaria or other serious mosquito born diseases i would seriously hestitate prior to using permethrin impregnated clothing--especially on my children. It really is a risk benefit sort of thing--certainly, if i were travelling in the masai mara my kids would be slathered in the stuff, a bit of neurotoxicity, a small increase in cancer risk (remember EPA lists this stuff as a probable human carcinogen based on animal studies)is worth it compared to the serious and potentially deadly (and much more likely) malaria risks--
also, this stuff is likely more acutely toxic in children than in adults

i would also STAY OUT OF THE WATER in this stuff--don't wear your tshirt in the water--it is HIGHLY toxic to aquatic life (as I believe are most pesticides/repellents in this family)

[JT]

Thanks, Loria. Through your links I was able to find some pretty good reasons not to use the stuff. What initially got my attention was a hat from LL Beans and I thought it would be good for the islands for mosquitoes. I also work outside a lot clearing equestrian trails and am constantly exposed to ticks, and the fear of lyme disease is very real. I think, for now at least, I'm going to pass on the Insect Shield. We also live in an area that is all septic fields and I wonder about environmental effects, in addition to direct health issues. It is freaky that they are marketing kids clothes and claiming it to be safe for pregnant women.