HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITOES DURING PREGNANCY: REPELLENTS AND OTHER MEASURES

The heat arrives and with it, the mosquitoes and their dreaded bites. Pregnant women are their perfect target, and if already living a pregnancy in summer seems sometimes complicated, adding bites to it can be especially annoying.

How can we protect ourselves from mosquitoes during pregnancy? Are chemicals suitable? We clear all your doubts, and we give you some tips that you can put into practice to scare away these uncomfortable insects.

Synthetic repellents

In general, repellents act by disorienting mosquitoes and making it difficult for them to locate their victims - thus avoiding bites - or acting directly on their nervous system.

In Xataka, a basic scientific guide to avoid being cheated by the nth mosquito repellent (which, of course, does not work)

Next we will analyze the kinds of synthetic repellents there are and its use during pregnancy, although we could summarize it in the following WHO recommendation:

"There are no indications that the use by pregnant women of repellents containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridine carries risks to their health, as long as they are used following the instructions on the product label"

Repellents containing DEET

Insect repellents containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) are the most effective in preventing mosquito bites, although it has not been determined whether this component is safe during pregnancy, because its main drawback is its degree of skin absorption.

For this reason, pregnant women are often advised not to use DEET in the first trimester of pregnancy (neither to babies nor to young children), and in the second and third trimesters it is preferable not to apply it on the skin directly, but on clothes and always in low concentrations and small quantities.

As to what concentration of DETT to choose, it will depend on the area in which we are. As in Spain there is no high risk of transmission of diseases by bites, it is advisable to use the minimum concentration, although in the case of pregnant women it is preferable to resort to other types of repellents.

If, on the contrary, it is going to travel to areas at risk of transmission of tropical diseases (Zika, dengue, chikungunya, malaria or yellow fever) it is important to use DEET at maximum concentration, since the disease itself generates more problems for the development of the fetus than the repellent itself.

In Babies and more, are you pregnant and planning to travel to countries with Zika? Recommendations to consider

Some of the repellents with DEET that exist in the market are those of the Goibi and Relec brand: //www.amazon.es/dp/B00L988P1I%3Faaxitk%3Dyh6lCFpaaDodw1CQ0STJNg%26pd_rd_i%3DB00L988P1_%26pb0rd-b19-b6-b6-b6-b6-b19-b6-b6-b6-b6-b6-b6-b6-b6-b6-b19 495420231b59% 26hsa_cr_id% 3D6055205460002% 26sb-ci-n% 3DproductDescription% 26sb-ci-v% 3DRelec% 2520Extra% 2520Fort% 2520Spray% 2520Effect% 2520Antimosquitos% 2520DEET% 252050% 2525% 2520% 2520% 2520% 2520% 2520% 2520% 2520% 2520.

Repellents containing Icaridine

Icaridine or picaridine is another active ingredient highly effective against common mosquitoes and tiger, but with lower risk of local reaction with respect to DEET, lower absorption and low toxicity. Therefore, its use in pregnancy is recommended taking into account the product labeling and avoiding excessive application.

In Babies and more Chikungunya, Zika and Dengue: the danger of the tiger mosquito for pregnant women

If the use of icaridine is to be used, the frequency of application must be increased, because due to its lower absorption the protection is slightly lower than the repellents with DEET.

Some of the repellents with Icaridina that exist in the market are those of the OFF and Autan brand.

Repellents containing IR3535

Repellents with 3-N-butyl-N-acetyl-aminopropionic acid (IR3535) have very low toxicity, and although their durability is lower, they are also effective, not only against common mosquitoes and tiger, but against ticks, biting flies and lice

The basic component of IR3535 is the amino acid ß-alanine, which is naturally occurring, so it is very well tolerated and harmless to the skin, constituting a safe option during pregnancy.

Some of the repellents with IR3535 that exist in the market is that of the Isdin brand.

In summary, products with DEET are the ones that provided the most protection for a longer period of time, but it is preferable to use them only in risk areas and at their maximum concentration. For other scenarios it is advisable to use other types of repellents.

Natural repellents

With regard to natural repellents, there are fewer scientific studies that support their effectiveness, in addition to its action is less durable, so you have to apply them frequently. Its main advantages are its low toxicity, high tolerance and its pleasant smell, so they are a safe option for pregnant women and children.

In Babies and more Mosquito repellent for babies, which ones are suitable?

Citronella

Citronella used as a natural repellent is one of the most popular options, as it constitutes a safe repellent to use at any stage of life, including pregnancy and childhood.

Its extract is found in different plant species (Citronella de Ceylon and Citronella de Java), and its action consists in producing an unpleasant effect on the sensitive endings of insects, and a blockage of their chemical perception. However, science questions its effectiveness as a repellent, as research shows that its effect is less than 20 minutes.

Eucalyptus essential oils

Eucalyptus oil offers better results than citronella and it has zero toxicity, so it is suitable for use during pregnancy and also in children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that this type of essential oil is as effective as DEET, although its protection time is less than two hours, so it should be applied very frequently

Electric repellents

Electric mosquitoes have become fashionable in recent years. They act camouflaging our smell and / or attacking the mosquito directly. There are several kinds of repellents of this style:

Those that work with ultrasound: Research has shown that its effect is null, since mosquitoes do not listen to the sounds they supposedly give off, and if they do, they adapt to them without being affected.
The mosquitoes with replacement: they are placed in the plugs, inserting a tank full of liquid or a tablet that when connected to electricity emit substances that attack and repel mosquitoes. Although there is no scientific evidence that they work, some people claim to notice their effectiveness, although their effect is very limited over time.

In the market we find brands that do not use chemical products but natural components extracted from plants that contain substances with insecticidal activity (of the genus Chrysanthemum commonly called pyrethrum or pyrethrum, lavender, geranium, cedar ...).

Mosquito bracelets

Rubber bracelets or anti-mosquito bracelets that contain chemical repellents such as DEET or natural essences such as citronella, geraniol or lavender, have a real effectiveness against very low mosquitoes, since repellents must be applied over the entire surface of the skin to They are effective.

According to scientific evidence, repellents do not work more than four centimeters from the point at which they are applied, so the use of mosquito bracelets would not make much sense.

Other recommendations

Regardless of the use of repellents in any of its forms, it is recommended to adopt the following measures to keep mosquitoes away:

Use mosquito nets on the windows
Do not wear perfumes and avoid the use of antiseptic soaps for daily cleaning, as they attract mosquitoes.
Avoid places with humidity, as they are especially prone to the presence of mosquitoes, especially during the afternoon and evening.
Protect yourself with light clothes that cover arms and legs.
Move away from light sources (for example, summer terraces with street lamps around)

IStock photos

Via Ministry of Health, Boticaria García,