Correlation between mosquito repellent protection time and insensible water loss from the skin

Insensible water loss and mosquito repellent protection time have been found to be relatively characteristic of any given individual. In a population having a biologic distribution of repellent protection period against mosquitoes, an inverse linear correlation was observed between repellent duration and insensible water loss. Doubling of insensible water loss was associated with a 20% decrease in repellent duration. Repellent penetration or evaporation but not attractiveness to mosquitoes are explanations for the observed relationship.