(WARNING: The photos below contain graphic images.)
If Mark Marchesky, a radiologist who is married to a nurse, didn't know this about bug repellent, chances are most people don't either.
Admittedly, I certainly didn't. Fear not: Bug spray is totally safe for your skin — but it's important to remember that it is highly flammable.
This is so important for all of those camping trips with the kids. Do not apply bug spray and sit around a campfire, the results could be serious or even deadly.
You can even try these easy DIY bug repellents, if you're still skeptical! When Marchesky was doing some outdoor chores he applied bug spray to ward off the mosquitos.
When he went to burn a small brush pile, he immediately caught fire. The burns were severe.
According to Bulwark, "DEET is the active ingredient in the most successful and popular insect repellents and is HIGHLY flammable, especially in concentrated form." Some products contain may even 26% DEET.
"The best advice is to spray the product ONLY on skin and never on clothes. Since full strength DEET is highly flammable, if an individual exposed to the hazard of electric arc or garment ignition sprayed his or her clothing and there were an accident, there is a significant risk that the clothing will ignite and continue to burn. In this scenario the DEET is serving as a fuel source."
See his story and public service announcement below.
SHARE to teach others about the hazards of bug spray!
"Just a public message I would like to share as a caution for you and especially any children who decide to use bug repellent around a campfire. My story may be a bit unique but I felt as a person who is actively involved in the medical field (radiology) along with my wife who is a Registered Nurse- we just wanted to reiterate a caution that should be considered when utilizing bug repellent near an open flame."
"Last Tuesday evening I wanted to burn down a small brush pile back of our small farm. After 3 days of rain I felt lighting this would be a good idea. Mosquitoes are quite prevalent this time of year thus, I decided to spray down my legs just prior to going out back to light the fire. A quick flash of the torch ignited both the brush and instantly a flash of flame to both my legs, it happened so quickly, as I ran patting the burning flesh off my legs I reached a garden hose on a nearby outbuilding and began flushing my legs for about 20 minutes to ease the pain. "
"A visit to the ER proceeded in the stripping off of the remaining flesh, an application of bacitracin and wrapping of dressing to be repeated 2 x daily. My referral to the Burn Clinic at Metro was today and included a scrubbing with dial soap and final removal of damaged tissue with a Meplex topical antitobotic wrap for the next 7 days. Painful- yes!!!!, with no pain meds given, my kids heard my muffled school girl screams from my the treatment room down the hall."
"I am now at home resting, next appointment in 1 week at the Burn Clinic. Pleas learn from my ignorance and please use caution and common sense when using these products around a fire. Recommendations is to wait at least 5 minutes or until dry after appli
SHARE to teach others about the dangers of bug repellents!
