HOUSTON -- Many Houston-area parents want to protect their children from mosquitoes and the threat of West Nile virus but are worried about the harmful effects of DEET, the common ingredient found in mosquito repellants. But the benefits can outweigh the possible negatives, News2Houston reported Thursday.

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A doctor at Duke University found heavy exposure to DEET and other insecticides caused memory loss, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain and tremors.

News2Houston asked a pediatrician at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston if parents should be concerned about putting DEET on their children daily.

"I think parents need to be more concerned about mosquito exposure," Dr. Lynnette Mazur said.

Mazur said DEET has a good track record, but in the past 30 years has been blamed for the deaths of three children.

It's the best known and most effective bug repellant, and is used in more than 230 products. DEET has been around since 1956.

"It is a relatively safe product," Mazur said.

But there have few long-term studies with how DEET affects humans.

"In 1989, there was a report where three children had seizures. That's something that occurs but it's very rare," Mazur said.

Parents have other options besides DEET. Herbal repellants work but do not last as long, experts said.

But Shelli Townsend from Whole Foods said that herbal repellants are flying off the shelves.

"They're looking for something that's chemical-free, safe to put on their children, their pets, husbands, wives," said Shelli Townsend with Whole Foods. "My repellants are made with essential oils, citronella, cedar wood -- a whole list of them. With more education, I think parents would use more DEET-free bug sprays."

Mazur said there are potential dangers to anything you put on a child's skin.

"You need to weigh the risk and benefits of what you're using," Mazur said.

She recommends Skin So Soft, but it has to be reapplied every nine minutes.

Mazur uses DEET on her own children since she has seen firsthand what a simple bug bite can do.

"There are kids who die from West Nile (virus)," Mazur said.

Parents who use DEET should follow the directions carefully and not use too much, according to Mazur.

"You don't want to leave it on. If you come back in the house, you should wash it off and be careful to only put it on exposed areas that will be exposed to mosquitoes," Mazur said.