What Happens If You Drink Mosquito Repellent?
WouterDuring the summer months, ingestion of liquid mosquito repellent was the most common cause of accidental poisoning in children. A study on the incident was published in the Indian Journal of Paediatrics.
The study identified 23 cases of accidental ingestion of liquid mosquito repellents among children. All these cases were from urban backgrounds and the majority were seen during the summer season.
These incidents can have serious medical consequences. For example, a child may develop seizures, which can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Alternatively, a child could vomit and become unresponsive. A small amount of DEET in the mouth may cause irritation.
These cases can be treated with intravenous fluids, gastric lavage and oxygen therapy. Dr Jhuma Sankar, an assistant professor of paediatrics at the AIIMS, said that insect repellents should be kept away from children. She also recommended that preschool children avoid exposure to chemicals.
Another reason that the consumption of liquid mosquito repellents can be dangerous to kids is the possibility of aspiration of kerosene, a solvent. Aspiration of kerosene can cause respiratory distress.
Depending on the type and concentration of the insect repellent, the level of toxicity may vary. A higher DEET concentration can give more protection, but it may also be more toxic to people.
Pyrethroids are widely used insecticides. They have low toxicity to humans, but they have poor dermal absorption. They are also known to cause acute kidney injury and elevated liver enzymes.
