How safe is Permethrin to children?

Published by: wktd 2009-01-08

I am planning to buy a mosquito net to take with me to the Caribbean to protect me and my kids. The ready treated ones that are sold online are around £40. It doesn't seem like much but we're on a really tight budget. I'm thinking of buying an Ikea one and treating it myself with a treatment pack available on Ebay but I'm now wondering how safe this would be for my kids (7 months and 3 years). Would there be harmful residual fumes hanging around if I treat it myself? Is it worth the risk? Where I'm going is not a malaria hot-spot and the insect bites would simply be a big annoyance more than anything.
'Permethrin is a common synthetic chemical, widely used as an insecticide and acaricide and as an insect repellent.' - it is used to treat mosquito nets.

Seriously, if you can afford to go to the Caribbean on holiday with 2 kids then you can bloody well afford 40 quid for a properly treated mozzie net. Come on!!
I know nothing about the chemicals involved but I would prefer to buy something where the chemicals have been applied correctly than sit and think "Am I doing this right? Have I put enough of the stuff on?"

Biobased AG, About Section, www.biobased.us::
Their labels also state that permethrin is considered Safe by the FDA. skin absorption is low enough to make it safe for older children, but again this
http://www.biobased.us/medical.htmlHOME

Article: As Children Return To Lice Are, Again, In The::
Register today for a free trial, credit card reqd. Find Drug Topics articles plus many other academic journal articles, magazine articles & newspaper archives.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-10147218.html?refid=ssp_mags_808HOME

Stop being so daft.

Talk to your doctor about this. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Ivermectin Use in Scabies::
Oral ivermectin is an effective and cost-comparable alternative to topical Safe in children >= 2 years of age. Not recommended. C. Permethrin (Nix)
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030915/1089.htmlHOME

Your safest bet is Avon Skin So Soft for you and your children. Permethrin is used to kill lice, mosquitos, ants, cockroaches, and various other bugs. The baby may end up with breathing problems, as probably your 3 year old. I'm sure you can find Avon's product online (Ebay or their website). It's safer than a pesticide. I wouldn't expose my children to pesticides unless I absolutely had to. Good luck and have a safe trip!