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What Are The Side Effects Of Exposure To Insect Repellent Spray?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014
Question: What are the possible health concerns for spraying raid insect killer on the mattress you sleep on and onto your body
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Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Prallethrin and Phenothrin exposure information. Safer than you'd expect

Detailed Answer:
Hi there, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic,

It really depends on what the contents of that bottle of Raid are. Different active ingredients means different Toxicity information.

The most common active ingredients are Prallethrin and Phenorthin. Highly Toxic to flying insects, quite safe for human beings.

The drugs act by interfering with enzymes present in insect metabolism, but those same enzymes don't really exist in humans.

The most common signs and symptoms from being exposed to these guys are:

1) Contact Dermatitis / AKA RASH
2) Itching
3) Burning of the skin

These symptoms are short lived and they normally stop when you wash the contact area with soap and water.

If you directly inhale the stuff, it will cause lung inflammation and coughing.

But in this case, since you sprayed the mattress, you're looking for a skin rash.

If you see a rash like that, Soap and Water are your first step. Followed by an Over the Counter Hydrocortisone cream application for a few days.

If they don't help, then you will need to see your local doctor.

I hope I helped, just remember, these insecticides have come a long way and are pretty safe nowadays, at least in the short term. Long term studies on these things are yet to be seen, so I can't comment on that

Take Care and feel free to follow-up, If your can of RAID has other ingredients, let me know so I can discuss those with you instead.

Vinay
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 544 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Exposure To Insect Repellent Spray?

Brief Answer: Prallethrin and Phenothrin exposure information. Safer than you'd expect Detailed Answer: Hi there, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic, It really depends on what the contents of that bottle of Raid are. Different active ingredients means different Toxicity information. The most common active ingredients are Prallethrin and Phenorthin. Highly Toxic to flying insects, quite safe for human beings. The drugs act by interfering with enzymes present in insect metabolism, but those same enzymes don't really exist in humans. The most common signs and symptoms from being exposed to these guys are: 1) Contact Dermatitis / AKA RASH 2) Itching 3) Burning of the skin These symptoms are short lived and they normally stop when you wash the contact area with soap and water. If you directly inhale the stuff, it will cause lung inflammation and coughing. But in this case, since you sprayed the mattress, you're looking for a skin rash. If you see a rash like that, Soap and Water are your first step. Followed by an Over the Counter Hydrocortisone cream application for a few days. If they don't help, then you will need to see your local doctor. I hope I helped, just remember, these insecticides have come a long way and are pretty safe nowadays, at least in the short term. Long term studies on these things are yet to be seen, so I can't comment on that Take Care and feel free to follow-up, If your can of RAID has other ingredients, let me know so I can discuss those with you instead. Vinay