The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) released guidance to the population on the types of repellents suitable for preventing Aedes aegypti, which transmits dengue, zika and chikungunya. According to the instructions, only products for application to the skin and those for use in the environment have proven efficiency.
– There are no products for oral use, such as pills and vitamins, with an approved indication to repel mosquitoes – warns a note released by the agency.
In the case of skin products, the guideline is that the repellent is applied directly to exposed areas of the body, except in cases where the label provides instructions for use directly on clothing.
According to Anvisa, the guidelines described in the product also address its use in children, as repellent cosmetics with the ingredient DEET should not be applied to children under two years of age and its presence cannot be greater than 10%, in products suitable for children aged two to 12.
Just like repellent cosmetics, sanitizers, which are insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes or repellents to keep the insect out of the environment, must have Anvisa approval for both the active substance and complementary components, such as solubilizers and preservatives. According to the institution, there is no proof of effectiveness for products with natural active ingredients, such as citronella, andiroba and cloves, for example.
– Candles, room odorizers and incense that indicate insect repellent properties are not approved – highlights the agency.
Registration with the agency guarantees the efficiency of the product to combat the dengue mosquito and, to facilitate consultation as to whether a given repellent is regular or not, Anvisa maintains two lists on its website: one of cosmetics for application to the skin and another of sanitizers for use in the environment.
*Brazil Agency