More than a nuisance….
Biting insects can impact on your health and comfort.

The increase in travel to exotic locations coupled with the worldwide threat of insect-borne disease underscores the need for effective insect repellents. Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting a range of diseases to more than 700 million people each year. Malaria alone kills around three million people across the globe annually, including one child every 30 seconds. ‘New’ diseases can appear unexpectedly such as West Nile Virus which first hit New York in 1999 and by 2003 had spread to most of the other states and killed over 250 people.

Eastern Europe has now opened up to tourists and many people are unaware that wooded areas in some of these countries (e.g. the Baltic States) are high risk areas for tick-borne encephalitis. The changing climate in the UK may well bring more species of insects to our shores. The incidence of Lyme Disease in the UK, which is passed on by ticks, is reckoned to be somewhat understated by UK experts.

Multiple chemical, botanical, and ‘alternative’ repellent products are marketed to consumers, so what do you choose? In 2002 researchers in the USA concluded that only products containing DEET (diethyl-m-toluamide) offer long lasting protection from insect bites. They further concluded that the use of non-DEET repellents in areas with prevalent mosquito-borne disease would seem to be ill advised and that DEET-based repellents remain the ‘gold standard’ of protection. Consumers should study labels carefully as some established brands no longer contain DEET.

DEET is proven to be the most effective repellent in the world with an excellent safety profile. In the USA a number of eminent bodies now suggest that up to 30% DEET is suitable for most children over 2 provided instructions are carefully followed.

Generally plant derived repellents are not as effective as DEET and should not be used where the risk of insect-borne disease exists. However some people, such as young children, prefer to use non-chemical repellents, so Ardern offer Ben’s® Natural 100ml pump spray, which provides up to 6 hours protection. The active ingredient (PMD) is rated by experts as probably the most effective non-chemical repellent available.

Ardern Healthcare Ltd specialises in insect repellents and bite treatment offering a range of products including natural and DEET-based products. The company is committed to the continuous development of its range of products.

Ben’s® products are available as spray, cream and wipes using concentrations of DEET from 30% up to 100% and Ben’s® Natural.

Ben’s® 30, Ben’s® 100, Ben’s® Family Cream and Ben’s® Natural all retail at £5.99 and Ben’s® Wipes are £4.99.

Completing Ardern’s anti-insect portfolio is After Bite®, America’s leading treatment for insect bites and stings. It is effective against bites from mosquitoes, horse flies and midges and stings from bees, wasps, jellyfish and nettles. Priced at a very competitive £3.49 for a 14ml pack.

Some or all of the Ardern Range is stocked by various outlets. These include Boots, Lloydspharmacy, Alliance Pharmacy, Co-Op Pharmacy, independent pharmacy, Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, Wilkinson, Savers, Superdrug and various outdoor shops. Alternatively all products can be obtained on mail order or via the Internet post free.

For all enquires call the helpline 0800 1957 400.