The Zamboanga City Medical Center. (PNA file photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Poison Control Center (PCC) of the government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) issued a warning to the public on the use of mosquito repellent due to possible N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) poisoning.
Dr. Aeesha Pingli, PCC toxicologist, issued the warning Thursday as a dengue outbreak has been declared in the city.
Pingli noted that mosquito repellents are currently being widely used to prevent dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases.
DEET is one of the active ingredients being used in mosquito repellent and if not used properly, poisoning can occur, according to Pingli.
“Ingestion may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, and diarrhea. This may result in low sodium and potassium level in the patient’s body, she said.
Because of this, she advised the public to always read the instruction before using the product.
“Do not apply over cuts and wounds, do not allow young children to apply the product, avoid over-application of the product, and wash treated skin with soap and water when children come back indoors,” she said.
In case poisoning happens and symptoms are present, she advised bringing the victim immediately to the hospital. (PNA)
