binky
2nd Aug 2002, 08:23 AM
'I would like to know if anybody has had any reaction that they can remember from using citronella based fly repellents. Or homemade citronella solutions etc. '
Hi Clipclop - thought I'd start a new thread following your post.
I studied env. chem for some years and worked with gas chromatography - so I've got a bit of an interest in the essential oils as fly repellent thing!
Some of the essential oils used in fly repellents contain chemicals which are catagorised as Risk Phrase R43:
That is - May cause sensitisation by skin contact.
Sensitisation is the effect of becoming more and more sensitive to something over repeated exposure to it.
Lemongrass oil is found in a number of natural fly repellents and contains a high proportion of Citral - an R43 chemical. I've not come across reports of horses becoming sensitised - but then I don't know if any scientific studies have been carried out yet.
I make up my own fly repellent using only eucalyptol (in v.v. low conc) and citronella (plus carrier) - these are both potential irritants, but are not specifically sensitising - ie. if your horse doesn't have a reaction to it to start with, you wouldn't expect it to develop one over time. I've done this for years and never had any adverse effects - either with myself or any horses.
I'd be interested in hearing about any other info on this subject - anyone???
Sorry for boring you all with chemistry - but I do worry sometimes that people think that 'natural' = 'safe' and forget that natural oils are chemicals too!
Ok - getting down off my soapbox now
:D
Hi Clipclop - thought I'd start a new thread following your post.
I studied env. chem for some years and worked with gas chromatography - so I've got a bit of an interest in the essential oils as fly repellent thing!
Some of the essential oils used in fly repellents contain chemicals which are catagorised as Risk Phrase R43:
That is - May cause sensitisation by skin contact.
Sensitisation is the effect of becoming more and more sensitive to something over repeated exposure to it.
Lemongrass oil is found in a number of natural fly repellents and contains a high proportion of Citral - an R43 chemical. I've not come across reports of horses becoming sensitised - but then I don't know if any scientific studies have been carried out yet.
I make up my own fly repellent using only eucalyptol (in v.v. low conc) and citronella (plus carrier) - these are both potential irritants, but are not specifically sensitising - ie. if your horse doesn't have a reaction to it to start with, you wouldn't expect it to develop one over time. I've done this for years and never had any adverse effects - either with myself or any horses.
I'd be interested in hearing about any other info on this subject - anyone???
Sorry for boring you all with chemistry - but I do worry sometimes that people think that 'natural' = 'safe' and forget that natural oils are chemicals too!
Ok - getting down off my soapbox now
:D