Malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Dengue fever, and Lyme disease are common causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. While arthropod bites may cause local inflammation and discomfort, a greater concern is the potential to develop deadly systemic infection. The use of insect repellents (IR) to prevent systemic infections constitutes a fundamental public health effort. Cost-effectiveness, availability, and high-efficacy against arthropod vectors are key characteristics of an ideal IR. Currently, numerous IRs are available on the market, with DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) being the most widely used. DEET has an excellent safety profile and remarkable protection against mosquitoes and various other arthropods. Other EPA-registered IR ingredients (permethrin, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, oil of citronella, catnip oil, and 2-undecanone) are alternative IRs of great interest due to some having efficacies comparable to that of DEET. These alternative IRs possess low toxicity and favorable customer experiences in utilization (e.g., cosmetically pleasant, naturally occurring). This review summarizes currently available EPA-registered IRs: the origins, mechanisms of action, side effect profiles, and available formulations will be discussed. This review will enable the clinician to select the best IR option to meet patients’ needs and provide the greatest protection from arthropod bites and sequelae.

疟疾、寨卡病毒、西尼罗河病毒、登革热和莱姆病是全世界发病率和死亡率的常见原因。虽然节肢动物叮咬可能会引起局部炎症和不适，但更令人担忧的是可能发展为致命的全身感染。使用驱虫剂 (IR) 预防全身感染是一项基本的公共卫生工作。成本效益、可用性和对节肢动物载体的高效性是理想 IR 的关键特征。目前，市场上有许多 IR，其中避蚊胺 (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) 使用最广泛。避蚊胺具有出色的安全性，可有效抵御蚊子和其他各种节肢动物。其他 EPA 注册的 IR 成分（氯菊酯、派卡瑞丁、IR3535、柠檬桉树油、香茅油、猫薄荷油和 2-十一烷酮）是备受关注的替代 IR，因为其中一些具有与 DEET 相当的功效。这些替代 IR 具有低毒性和良好的客户使用体验（例如，美观、天然存在）。本综述总结了目前可用的 EPA 注册 IR：将讨论起源、作用机制、副作用概况和可用配方。该审查将使临床医生能够选择最佳的 IR 选项来满足患者的需求，并提供最大的保护以防止节肢动物叮咬和后遗症。本综述总结了目前可用的 EPA 注册 IR：将讨论起源、作用机制、副作用概况和可用配方。该审查将使临床医生能够选择最佳的 IR 选项来满足患者的需求，并提供最大的保护以防止节肢动物叮咬和后遗症。本综述总结了目前可用的 EPA 注册 IR：将讨论起源、作用机制、副作用概况和可用配方。该审查将使临床医生能够选择最佳的 IR 选项来满足患者的需求，并提供最大的保护以防止节肢动物叮咬和后遗症。