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FITNESS TIPS : Buzz Off!
Do mosquitoes make you slaphappy?

Topic: Healthy Habits
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Nothing can spoil a perfect summer picnic faster than a cloud of whining mosquitoes. But spraying your body with potent chemical repellents isn't very appetizing. What's the solution? Try one of the newer repellents (Repel makes one) that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus and work as well as products that contain low levels of DEET. Sweet.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus is now registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as a repellent, which means it's considered safe and effective when used as directed. When applying any mosquito repellent, remember the following:
*Apply before going outdoors.
*Keep repellent away from kids and apply it for them.
*To protect the face, spray repellent onto your palms and apply, avoiding your eyes and mouth.
*Bugs love to bite at night, so for extra protection, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
*Don't overdo it; heavy applications are usually unnecessary.
*Don't spray cuts or rashes.
*If a product causes skin irritation, switch brands.
*Wash the repellent off -- especially from your hands and face -- when you're done spending time outdoors.

SOURCES: CDC: new repellents for West Nile fight. Kuehn, B. M., The Journal of the American Medical Association 2005 Jun 1;293(21):2583.

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