From the Guidelines
Picaridin is recommended as the first choice for insect repellent due to its comparable effectiveness to DEET and better safety profile, as supported by the most recent guidelines from 2021 1.
Key Points
- Both DEET and picaridin are effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects, but picaridin may have a slight edge in terms of efficacy against certain insects.
- Picaridin is effective for up to 12 hours at 20% concentration, while DEET provides similar protection for up to 6-8 hours at 25-30% concentration.
- In terms of safety, both are considered safe when used as directed, but picaridin has fewer associated risks, such as skin irritation and damage to synthetic fabrics and plastics, as noted in the 2016 study 1.
Safety and Efficacy Considerations
- For children, products containing 5-10% picaridin are recommended, while DEET concentrations should not exceed 30% for adults and 10% for children.
- Pregnant women can use both, but picaridin is often preferred due to its safety profile.
- When applying, cover all exposed skin and reapply as needed, especially after swimming or sweating, and avoid applying to cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
Application and Usage
- The choice between DEET and picaridin often comes down to personal preference and specific needs, but picaridin's better safety profile and comparable effectiveness make it a preferred choice for many, as recommended by the 2021 guidelines 1.
- It is essential to follow the recommended concentrations and application guidelines to ensure safe and effective use of both DEET and picaridin, as outlined in the 2016 study 1 and the 2021 guidelines 1.
From the Research
Comparative Efficacy of DEET and Picaridin
- The efficacy of DEET and picaridin as insect repellents has been compared in several studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A review of laboratory and field tests found that picaridin and DEET applied at the same dosage showed little potential difference in efficacy, with some evidence pointing to a superior persistence for picaridin 2.
- Field trials conducted in a tropical rainforest in northern Australia found that 19.2% picaridin provided similar or better protection than DEET formulations against mosquitoes 3.
- A field evaluation of picaridin repellents in Cambodia found that picaridin 20% performed equally well as DEET 20% and better than picaridin 10% against mosquito bites, including arbovirus and malaria vectors 4.
Safety and Protection Time
- The protection time of DEET and picaridin varies depending on the concentration and formulation of the repellent 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A literature review found that DEET at concentrations of 20% or more provided up to 10 hours of protection against Aedes mosquitoes, while picaridin provided similar protection times 5.
- The efficacy of picaridin and DEET against different mosquito species, such as Anopheles, Culex, and Ixodes, has also been evaluated, with varying results 4, 5, 6.
Repellent Sensitivity and Vector Species
- The sensitivity of mosquito vectors to repellents can vary between species and genera 4, 5.
- A field evaluation found that picaridin repellents performed better against Mansonia and Culex spp. than against Aedes and Anopheles species 4.
- The efficacy of repellents against tick species, such as Ixodes, has also been evaluated, with IR3535 providing the longest protection against Ixodes scapularis 5, 6.