Saltidin® - Safely through the summer
Editor: Kerstin Stenger
Blue sky, sun. My eyes follow the gentle waves of the lake and the gentle sound of the water immediately relaxes me. Peace and silence. Wonderful! But suddenly a high, annoying buzzing sound reaches my ears. My hand automatically swaps at sound- a mosquito. Do these creatures have to be everywhere? Why are they targeting me?
Intrusive species such as mosquitoes, biting flies, horseflies and ticks start to become active as soon as the weather warms up – much to the annoyance of humans and animals alike. They detect scent markers up to 30 meters away. These include carbon dioxide by perspiration from the skin and body odors such as sweat or even cosmetic fragrances. These scent markers act as compasses for these biting anthropods.
Protect against diseases
To protect ourselves from bites, we need an effective insect repellent. Not just because the little vampires love our blood. They can also transmit diseases, such as
- Malaria,
- dengue fever,
- Zika virus,
- early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME),
- Lyme disease,
- tick-born Encephalitis (TBE) and
- West Nile fever.
Incidentally, climate change is contributing to the spread of dangerous diseases in many countries. Potentially dangerous insects are found in ever more areas around the world.
Safe protection against insects and ticks
The best way to keep blood-sucking insects and ticks away is "prevention first". This is ensured by our active ingredient Icaridin, which LANXESS subsidiary Saltigo sells to insect repellent manufacturers under the trade name Saltidin®.
How Saltidin® works
Reminder: Our body scents serve as a kind of compass for bloodthirsty insects and ticks. Repellents containing Saltidin® interfere with this compass. A thin film applied over the skin masks the scent markers, and thanks to this camouflage effect, stops biting insects and ticks from being able to recognize humans as a food source.
How the active ingredient Saltidin® protects
Saltidin® offers broad protection - ranging from mosquitoes to sand fleas
Products containing Saltidin® offer comprehensive protection. Saltidin®’s repellent effect has been proven on various species of mosquito (Culex, Aedes and Anopheles), as well as on diverse types of ticks, gnats, ants, cockroaches, flies, and chiggers.
The advantage over insecticides is that the animals are not killed.
Saltidin®: the all-round repellent
Insect repellents containing Saltidin® are suitable for sensitive population groups, including children, pregnant women, and allergy sufferers. That is why consumer protection agencies and institutes for tropical medicine recommend repellents containing Saltidin®. In terms of tolerability, Saltidin® regularly outperforms the active ingredient diethyltoluamide (DEET) in consumer organization reports.
The gentle protection provided by Saltidin® does not come at the expense of lasting effectiveness. Depending on the product’s formulation and amount used, it is effective against insects and ticks for up to several hours. In addition, products containing Saltidin® are also effective for protecting animals such as horses and dogs.
Tips for optimal protection
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing*.
- Repellents containing Saltidin® (they often also go under the name of Icaridin or Picaridin) are suitable for the whole body. However, you should avoid mucous membranes (like eyes, nose).
- Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.
- Swimming, heavy sweating, or friction can reduce the protective film. If this happens, it is recommended to reapply the repellent.
These tricks also keep ticks and other insects away
- Wear tightly woven clothing that insects cannot get through.
- Long sleeves and trouser legs protect against ticks. You can spot them faster on light-colored fabrics. Also, pull your socks over your pant legs to prevent ticks from crawling in.
- Fine mesh screens in front of windows and doors keep insects out.
- A mosquito net over the bed provides additional protection.
- Cover rain barrels and wash out birdbaths regularly. Be careful that your garden pond does not become a mosquito breeding ground.
Conclusion: With Saltidin®, when used as directed, you can effectively protect your health and that of your loved ones - and enjoy your time outdoors without worries.
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