At some time, almost everyone has a need for an insect repellent, whet
her during a backyard barbecue or an extended hike into bug-infested w
oods. However, concern about the safety of DEET has arisen because of
reports of adverse reactions, and patients may have reservations about
using it or another repellent, especially on their children. Which on
es are both safe and effective? The authors of this article review rel
evant studies regarding common insect repellents and offer recommendat
ions for optimal use.