It’s now April and most of us have been cooped up keeping warm for months. It’s time to take advantage of the great outdoors - barbecues, relaxing by the pool, basking in the warm evening air with friends – maybe even hiking or camping. But what about the bugs? To the list of all the plusses, we have to add one minus– insect repellants.

Remember, what’s deadly to insects might also be toxic for you. Protecting your skin with a good shielding lotion can help prevent toxins from being absorbed into the body and that’s especially important for those undergoing treatment for eczema and other skin conditions.

The most common ingredient in insect repellants is N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, more commonly known as DEET. Although approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on skin, it still comes with many usage guidelines and warnings.

• Don’t use over cuts, wounds or irritated skin. This would include those with acne, eczema, psoriasis, skinned knees, and so on.

• Don’t apply directly to the face. Instead, spray it on your hands and then rub it on your face. Why? You don’t want this stuff near the eyes or mucous membranes, and you don’t want to inhale it.

• When applying to children, don’t use it on the hands or near the eyes or mouth. And don’t let them put it on by themselves.

• Use it sparingly.

• As soon as you come in from outdoors, make sure you wash the product off your skin with soap and water.

• If it’s on your clothes, don’t wear those clothes again without putting them through the wash.

• Don’t use it under your clothing.

• Don’t spray it in an enclosed area.

Obviously, there is no question as to whether or not DEET is good for us, but our only alternative has been to get eaten alive - uncomfortable enough under normal circumstances, but for those who react strongly to insect bites, it can also be dangerous. Once again we are faced with a choice of the lesser of two evils.

What are our alternatives? Although you won’t find them in drug stores, there are some natural insect repellants, such as neem and citronella oils, that don’t have those negative effects. Another easy solution is using a shielding lotion.

In addition to its use as prevention and treatment of eczema and other skin conditions, shielding lotions bond with the outer layer of the skin to form a barrier that may prevent toxins such as DEET from being absorbed through the skin into the body. It also will help protect against reactions your skin might have to the repellant. Applying the shielding lotion to the skin before using the insect repellant will help you really enjoy your summer.