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1. How should I use Autan?
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To ensure the efficacy use of AUTAN, there are some points to specially watch AUTAN must be applied to absolutely all the exposed areas of the skin, because you can be bitten just a few millimetres next to the treated area. Insects
always find the smallest gap in the armour. If your clothing is very thin it is advisable to apply AUTAN underneath it, because stings can easily penetrate thin materials.
• Notice the period of action of the various products for the different insects. (Instructions are given on the packs.)
• If you sweat a lot or the humidity is high, or there is a strong wind or your skin is rubbed, apply AUTAN more often, at the latest as soon as the first mosquitoes land on your skin. Unlike sun creams, whose effect only lasts for the given period, repellents' effects can be lengthened.
• If you use sun creams or other cosmetics at the same time, always apply AUTAN last.
• AUTAN is not waterproof, so it has to be re-applied after you have bathed or showered.
• AUTAN can irritate mucous membranes and must therefore not be applied to the eyes, mucous membranes or pathologically changed skin (e.g. sunburnt skin). Do not apply to children under two years of age. |
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2. Is AUTAN safe to use?
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All AUTAN ACTIVE and FAMILY products with the new generation active substance Icaridin* have been developed in accordance with the standards of current scientific knowledge. To confirm the safety of these products for consumers, a comprehensive test programme was carried out in close co-operation with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the United States registration authorities. None of the studies revealed any negative effects. Icaridin* is toxicologically cleared
• well tolerated by the skin
• only absorbed to a minimal degree
• suitable for children above two years of age |
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3. Is AUTAN also suitable for sensitive skin?
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AUTAN ACTIVE and AUTAN FAMILY products meet the highest cosmetic standards. These products have been toxicologically cleared, free from preservatives, are well tolerated by the skin and are suitable for children above two years of age.
The AUTAN FAMILY products in particular were designed specifically for people with sensitive skin. Consumers who are particularly interested in skin tolerability and reliable protection against insects will find that these mild cosmetic care products are the ideal solution. Caution is merely required on areas of skin that have been damaged, e.g. by sunburn and cuts. The relatively high alcohol content in some formulations, for example, can cause irritation. |
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4. Can AUTAN also be used for children and infants?
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| AUTAN ACTIVE and AUTAN FAMILY are suitable for children over two years of age. The risk of contact with the mucous membranes is one of the reasons why AUTAN should not be used for babies. Even when applied correctly, it is impossible to rule out the risk that the baby will then rub its eyes or suck its fingers, etc. The best way to protect babies against mosquitoes is to use mosquito nets, which are available for prams and windows. |
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5. How long does AUTAN keep?
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| The shelf-life of AUTAN in all climate zones is approximately three years. |
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6. How can I protect myself against mosquitoes?
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The most important precautions against insect bites are as follows:
• In the dusk and at night avoid swampy areas, lakes and other stagnant water.
• Do not use strong perfume.
• Wear light clothing covering you as much as possible.
• Do not wear very thin or loose clothing.
• Use insecticides (e.g. Baygon), fly gauze and/or mosquito nets indoors.
• Remember that sweat can also attract insects.
• Before long trips obtain information well before leaving about the risks and possible preventive measures (vaccinations or tablets), and then take the preventive measures which are recommended (medical kit).
• Since insects' resistance to malaria vaccinations develops very quickly, use AUTAN in addition. |
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7. In spite of AUTAN I have been stung. Why didn't it work?
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There are several reasons for this. Often it has been wrongly applied
• The AUTAN was not applied completely to all the exposed areas of the skin. This is however highly important, because the effect stops just a few millimetres from the treated areas. Incidentally mosquitos can bite through very thin clothing, so it may be necessary to apply it under your clothes.
• After AUTAN you applied sun cream or other cosmetics. AUTAN should always be used last, since otherwise it may not act properly.
• The period of efficacy has been exceeded. You are then no longer protected. Remember that rubbing or heavy sweating can shorten the effect.
• Since AUTAN is not water-proof it has - if necessary - to be reapplied after you have swum or showered.
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8. Is AUTAN also effective against other insects?
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AUTAN with the new active substance generation Icaridin* is an excellent allround repellent.
Some stinging insects such as bees, hornets, bumble-bees and wasps are unaffected by AUTAN. The efficacy of Icaridin* against fleas and mites (e.g. chigger/Bryobia mites) cannot be definitively evaluted at present as appropriate test programmes are still at the planning stage.
Icaridin* has an excellent protective effect against other biting mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks, particularly the species that carry diseases, such as the malaria mosquito andyellow fever mosquito. |
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9. How should I treat a tick bite?
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| Remove any attached ticks immediately. Do not use any oil or other agents to do this. The tick should also not be twisted out or squashed, since in all these cases they release extra saliva and extra pathogens. Simply pull the tick straight up out of the skin with tweezers. If a part is still attached, consult a doctor. |
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10. Why do insects sting?
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| Many species of insects need constituents of the blood for their reproduction, or put more precisely for the development of their eggs. This is why only the female mosquitoes sting. The males are harmless vegetarians who live on the nectar of flowers. Females use the blood as a source of protein for the growth of their eggs. |
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11. Is it true that insects may be vehicles of dangerous diseases?
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| In some regions of the world mosquitoes bites might be vehicles of diseases, even dangerous diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. |
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12. Is it true that insects bite only certain people with "sweet" blood?
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| It is not exactly known by what criteria a particular victim for blood is chosen. It is known that certain substances do attract bites, such as amino-acids, ammonia fumes, lactic acid, carbon dioxide or butyric acid. The humidity, ambient temperature, light and surrounding colours probably also play an important role |
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13. What are natural repellents?
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The wish for protection from annoying pests must extend back to the beginnings of mankind, and it can be assumed that humans have always been on the search (either deliberate or random) for repellents. As in medicine the first solutions were found in nature.
In their early history humans realised that burning aromatic or strongly smelling plants and woods will keep away insects. In ancient Egypt substances with powerful smells were applied to the skin to repel mosquitoes.The Romans were accustomed to using camphor, cypress, galbanum,pomegranate skins, wolfsbane and cinnamon. In the 16th century hemp was discovered, and later on numerous vegetable extracts such as garlic, olive oil,penny royal oil and the juice of raw tomatoes were found to be effective remedies. Around the turn of the century these familiar natural substances formed the basis for the identification and specific use of ethereal oils as repellents
But all these substances have a weak or very weak repellent effect, which usually only acts on mosquitoes. The period of action is very short, and it cannot be increased by mixing with other substances.
The application of natural substances to the skin also involves a relatively high risk of allergy. Apart from this some of them have disgusting smells, and natural repellents have only been toxicologically tested to a limited degree. |
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14. Are natural insects repellents gentle on the skin?
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| No, natural products to have an effect must be used at high concentration level, risulting in higher risks of allergic reactions and skin photosensitization. |
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15. What is Icaridin*?
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Icaridin*, the new active ingredient of AUTAN, is a compound with excellent repellent characteristics and provides highly effective protection against a broad spectrum of insects:
• All formulations with 20 percent Icaridin* (AUTAN ACTIVE) - up to eight hours against mosquitoes, horse flies and other biting flies and up to four hours against ticks.
• All formulations with 10 percent Icaridin* (AUTAN FAMILY) - up to four hours against mosquitoes, horse flies and other biting flies. |
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16. Are Autan packs environment-friendly?
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The packs of all Autan products are made of modern plastics (except for the spray), which can be recycled. The type of plastic is indicated on the bottom of the pack. Please discard empty packs in accordance with your local council guidelines.
Autan Active Body Spray aerosol cans are made of recycled aluminium. You can recycle the can at appropriate recycle centres.
Naturally Autan Body Spray does not contain CFC's. |
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17. How effective is AUTAN in Scandinavia?
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| Tourists in Scandinavia always complain about the aggressive mosquitoes species that live there. These insects only have a very short time span of about 4 to 6 weeks available, due to the climate, to obtain the blood they need for reproduction. But even under these conditions AUTAN stops about 95 percent of the bites. Since it stays directly above the skin, mosquitoes may surround you and so have the feeling of being exposed. |
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18. Might Icaridin*’s action decrease if perfums are used at the same time?
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| Yes. It’s necessary to remember not to use heavy perfums that might even attract mosquitoes, lessening the effect on repellents |
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