Mosquito Repellents in Pregnancy: Which Ones Can You Use?

During pregnancy, our lives change and we need to pay special attention to all the products we use so they do not affect the progress of the pregnancy or the baby. One of the issues that concerns pregnant women most is: How can we protect ourselves from mosquitoes and soothe their bites? Can we use mosquito repellents during pregnancy? At Farmaciasdirect, we explain how.

Why do mosquitoes bite me more when I am pregnant?

In humid areas or during hot weather, pregnant women tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes... Sounds strange, doesn't it? But the truth is that pregnant women give off more CO2 when breathing, have a slightly higher body temperature and experience changes in skin pH. Mosquitoes can detect all of this.

Pregnancy and mosquito bites: What happens if a mosquito bites me while I am pregnant?

Mosquito bites during pregnancy can be more bothersome, as the hormonal changes that occur can cause very large welts or reactions. Above all, we must avoid mosquito bites during pregnancy because they can act as vectors for disease, meaning they can transmit certain illnesses. Particular care should be taken if travelling to other countries or tropical areas.

Pregnancy and mosquito repellent: How can I avoid mosquito bites if I am pregnant?

In day-to-day life, we can use different strategies to avoid mosquito bites during pregnancy by using physical barriers:

• Fit and use mosquito nets.
• Wear long clothing (trousers and tops), especially if going into the countryside.
• Wear light-coloured clothing.
• Avoid areas with stagnant water or being outdoors at dusk.
• Apply a mosquito repellent suitable for pregnancy.

Which mosquito repellents can I use if I am pregnant?

It should be borne in mind that some mosquito repellents can be used throughout pregnancy, others cannot, and others are only suitable from a certain month of pregnancy onwards. Below, we explain which ones are suitable during pregnancy:

Synthetic repellents

• With IR3535:Suitable for pregnant women and children from one year old. Highly effective, with lower toxicity, although they do not last as long. Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, lice and flies.
• With DEET: It is safe at concentrations below 20%. It should only be applied during the second and third trimester of pregnancy; it should be used on clothing and in small amounts. If travelling to areas where diseases are endemic, it should be applied more generously, as catching one of these illnesses is worse than using DEET during pregnancy.
• With Icaridin: Very highly effective against common mosquitoes and tiger mosquitoes, and less toxic than DEET. It is recommended, but in moderate amounts.

Natural repellents

• Citronela: The best known and most widely used during pregnancy, but it does not last long, so reapplication needs to be taken into account.
• Eucalyptus: Another natural alternative like citronella during pregnancy, and also very effective at repelling mosquitoes.

How can I treat mosquito bites if I am pregnant?

Some ways to relieve itching and reduce swelling from the bite are:

• Apply cold to the area using ice (do not place it directly on the skin; wrap it in a cloth, for example). This will help reduce the swelling.
• A product containing calamine to soothe itching.
• Use a post-bite product suitable for pregnancy to help reduce inflammation and itching.

If the bite does not go away, itches too much, becomes too large, gets infected or causes a reaction, you should see a doctor.

Mosquito repellents suitable during pregnancy

Now that we know all of the above, we need to protect ourselves from both mosquitoes and their bites. Among all the mosquito repellents for pregnancy, we recommend:

• Pranarôm Roll-On Citronela+: easy to apply thanks to its roll-on format, which leaves the skin feeling soft thanks to its milk texture. This mosquito repellent for pregnancy contains citronella, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus and other active ingredients that provide effective protection against mosquitoes. It can be used from the 4th month of pregnancy (also while breastfeeding). It can also be used in children from 30 months of age.

How to apply mosquito repellent correctly

It is important to apply mosquito repellent correctly, otherwise it will lose effectiveness. Apply it to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes and open wounds. Do not forget to wash your hands with soap and water after use.

If we also need to use sun protection, we should first apply the sunscreen and, once it has been absorbed, apply the mosquito repellent suitable for pregnant women.

Soothing mosquito bites during pregnancy

Roll-on calmante de PranaBB (from the 4th month of pregnancy): instantly soothes irritated skin or bites in pregnant women, breastfeeding women or babies (from 3 months). With lavender, field mint, turmeric, calendula and sunflower. Pregnant women can apply it to the bite 3-4 times a day.

Other essentials as mosquito repellent during pregnancy

Pranarôm Citronela + Atmósfera y Tejidos Bio: is a mosquito repellent that we can use in our own home. It works for 7 hours against different types of mosquitoes. It contains citronella, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus and other natural active ingredients. We can use it in different ways:

• In the room itself: in rooms larger than 12-24 m², spray for 8 seconds and repeat every 7 hours. We recommend using
• On fabrics: curtains, sheets, cushions... Spray from a short distance and repeat every 7 hours.

Very important for pregnant women, breastfeeding women and babies: spray when they are not present and wait at least 30 minutes before entering the room.

If you have any other questions, you can contact us through our pharmaceutical advice service. Remember that at Farmaciasdirect you can buy mosquito repellents at the best price, thanks to our exclusive offers.