Dermatologist from Manaus advises on repellent to combat the dengue mosquito

Care

With the increase in Dengue, the population has been looking for alternatives to prevent it, including the use of repellent

Manaus (AM) — The number of Dengue cases in Amazonas grows every day. Until last Saturday (24), according to data from the Ministry of Health, the State had 1,920 confirmed cases of the disease, 964 of which were in Manaus alone. The State also has 6,870 probable cases recorded. With the increase in Dengue, the population has been looking for alternatives to prevent it, including the use of repellent.

Dermatologist and professor at Afya Educação Médica Manaus, Anne Amaral, explains that when choosing a repellent, people should pay attention to the active ingredients present in the products. To combat the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits not only dengue, but the Zika and Chikungunya viruses, the recommendation is that products contain Icaridin, IR3535 and DEET.

The difference between repellents for use by adults and children is the concentration of active ingredients. According to Anne Amaral, products for adults have a greater amount of active ingredients, increasing coverage time. Those for children cannot exceed an average of 10% concentration of substances.

“In practice, adult repellents can last up to 4 hours, while children’s repellents last up to 2 hours. This happens due to the greater sensitivity of children’s skin”,

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According to the dermatologist, depending on the percentage of active ingredients in the chosen repellent, the ideal is to apply an average of three times a day, spraying on the skin and even over clothes. “The most favorable times for mosquitoes are at dawn and dusk, a time when people should pay more attention when applying repellent”, she warns.

Regarding natural repellents, the doctor explains that active ingredients such as citronella, lavender, tea tree and clove are effective in repelling mosquitoes, but do not replace the use of repellent. It also reinforces the importance of combating the proliferation of the aedes aegypti mosquito, avoiding standing water. “The precautions are basic, widely publicized, but it doesn’t hurt to reinforce them. People should watch out for potted plants, bottles and any container that could hold standing water,” she said.

skin care

The doctor adds that people with greater skin sensitivity or due to excessive use may experience some type of dermatitis, redness, itching and even respiratory problems.

In this case, the advice is to avoid excessive use and, if necessary, seek a dermatologist for evaluation. Furthermore, it is important to keep your skin hydrated even when using repellent. This will help prevent dryness.

Courses

In Manaus, Afya Educação Médica is located at Avenida André Araújo, 2767, Aleixo neighborhood. Postgraduate courses in the medical field are offered on site in the specialties of Dermatology, Neuropediatrics, Nutrology, Endocrinology, Psychiatry, General Pediatrics, Ultrasonography and Intensive Medicine.

The institution also maintains a free community assistance program. Consultations are part of the practical activities of postgraduate courses offered by Afya Educação Médica and take place every month, according to the class schedule. People who need assistance can contact us at (92) 99379-9297.

*With information from consultancy

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