Reactions to tick repellent clothing?

[John Mc]

Has anyone here ever heard of someone having a skin reaction to the factory-treated tick repellent clothing, such as that sold by Insect Shield?

A friend has a daughter who has severe skin reactions to just about everything (sometimes triggering severe headaches as well). She is looking for something her daughter can use outdoors to avoid tick issues that won't kick up problems with her sensitive skin

A number of her friends are suggesting various essential oils and natural remedies. I went through a wide range of those types of products looking for something effective. The worst were completely worthless: I could see no difference between using them and bare untreated skin. The best worked fairly well, but only lasted a couple hours (less, if you were sweating heavily).

I've had really good luck with Insect Shield clothing and similar products from other manufacturers. They are treated with a permethrin-based compound which is bonded to the fabric and lasts through up to 70 washes. I'm not a great test case for my friends kid, since I rarely get allergic reactions to anything. My wife has some mild sensitivites and has not had issues with the clothing, but her sensitivities are nothing like my friend's daughter.

I'm curious if any of you know of anyone who has had an adverse reaction to the factory treated clothing. I've heard of people having reactions to the home-applied spray, but that was only when they had contact with the spray in liquid form.

[thecfarm]

Flick The Tick Is made only about 15 minutes from my place.
A Mother wanted something safe for her kids. Now she sells it.

[kantuckid]

I can testify that US Army DEET will melt yer poncho and various plastic stuff. Nasty stuff that works good. 
With young kids I'd never use it. 

[beenthere]

I'm thinking sensitive skins are different for most everyone, and the only way to find out if Insect Shield works for the daughter of a friend is to try it. It is frustrating part of it, what works for one does not work for another. 

Also wouldn't suggest if a treatment works for me, it should work for someone else. 

[sprucebunny]

I'm fairly sensative to lots of stuff and Insect Shield doesn't bother me. Like said, just buy a hat or bandana and try it.

[YellowHammer]

I personally don’t like anything insecticide based touching my skin so I use the second layer method.  A also don’t much care for repellents, I like insect killing.  I like the spray on pyrethrums such as from Cabelas, which kill easily,  but spray it on my shoes and let them dry before I put them on.  If I know I’m going into a tick rich environment, I will spray a pair of socks and let it dry and then put on two pairs of socks, one clean set on first next to my skin, then the sprayed set, on the outside, not touching my skin

I also spray my leather belt and that should kill any ticks going from my pants to my shirt.

  

[69bronco]

I've been using Insect shield along with permethrin for a few years with no adverse reactions. I'm with YH and try to wear untreated underneath when I can. After battling Lyme for the last 10 or so years I'll do whatever it takes.

[Claybraker]

I've never had a reaction to permethrin spray. Story on a local resident with Alpha-gal syndrome. Lyme disease is bad enough, but no BBQ, ribeye steak, dairy/ cheese pizza, etc.
https://www.cbs46.com/2022/04/17/georgia-woman-contracts-meat-mammal-product-allergy-after-tick-bite/

[John Mc]

Well, I lost track of this thread. I've never had a reaction to Permethrin treated clothing myself - either for the factory treated stuff or for clothing I sprayed myself. I've been wearing it for 10+ years. I started with spraying some of my own clothing. It worked so well I bought a few factory treated T-shirts. I liked the fact that I did not have to keep track of when the factory treated stuff was last done (spraying clothing myself only lasts through about 5 washes).

I ended up lending one of my daughter's factory-treated T shirts to my friend. Her daughter had no problems, despite being hyper sensitive to just about everything. They have ordered some of that clothing for all of their kids.

John

[B.C.C. Lapp]

I have sprayed my clothes with permethrin for years and never had a problem.  But my son has treated his clothes with the same stuff and got a mild rash that went away shortly after he washed.  He cant wear it next to his skin.   

[John Mc]

I have sprayed my clothes with permethrin for years and never had a problem.  But my son has treated his clothes with the same stuff and got a mild rash that went away shortly after he washed.  He cant wear it next to his skin.  

Your son might want to check in to the factory treated clothing sold by Insect Shield (and others). The treatment is much more tightly bonded to the fabric. My friend's daughter is incredibly sensitive to just about everything - including clothing that her mother had sprayed. She had no problem with the factory treated clothing.

[petefrom bearswamp]

I have one pair of cargo pants that are my permethryn pants.
Tuck them into my socks when in the woods working.
Wife washes them every so often and I re treat.