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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Mosquito spray?

10 replies

AtaleOfTwoCities · 20/07/2012 15:20

I'm going away and I need to use a mosquito repellant. I know that this is a no no in pregnancy because of the DEET, but is there a brand that's safe, that anyone's discovered?
Thanks

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
minipie · 20/07/2012 15:24

Autan doesn't have DEET (check the ingredients list as there is a version that contains DEET but it's rare) and seems to work. Citronella oil is a natural alternative. Also taking B12 supplements seems to help deter the little buggers.

AtaleOfTwoCities · 20/07/2012 15:27

Oh perfect, thanks mini pie' I'll try that

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AtaleOfTwoCities · 20/07/2012 15:44

Do you know where you got it from by the any chance?

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Chictactoe · 20/07/2012 15:50

Yes I found one www.insectrepellentshop.com/ I found it because I refuse to use anything with DEET in it for the little ones.

minipie · 20/07/2012 15:54

Boots sell Autan, or at least they used to

kayjays · 20/07/2012 19:23

I was looking into this recently cos mosquitoes love me!

Are you using it to protect against malaria? Because of risks of malaria to baby and you, the Health Protection Agency advises:

"Use of 20% DEET in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy was not
associated with adverse effects on infants from those pregnancies followed for up to 12 months after birth. Given the seriousness of malaria in pregnancy, ACMP recommends the use of DEET at a concentration of up to 50% as part of the malaria prevention regimen for pregnant women, including those in the first trimester. DEET may be used at a concentration of up to 50% in breast feeding and for infants and children aged over 2 months."

See here for more info www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1206520187821

Hope that's not too sciency and is helpful! Worth speaking to GP about other protection too e.g. antimalarials.

If it's just annoying bites, then you can get non-DEET products in pharmacies and outdoor shops. Or get a mosquito net for night time maybe?

AtaleOfTwoCities · 20/07/2012 20:48

Thanks kayjays it is to protect from malaria, and unfortunately I'll be there for a month. I've just started my second trimester.

Not too sciency at all, its quite clear. I think I'll have to speak to the doctor as well to see what they think.

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SomedayIllFlyAway · 20/07/2012 23:42

Honestly, the best thing you can do is cover up as soon as it gets to dusk and stay that way until the sun has come up properly. Make sure you sleep under a mozzie net too (I tend to sleep less covered, and just make sure the net isn't touching me).

DH is from a malaria country, and even though it is hot during the wet season when the mozzies are out in force, I wear long linen / lighweight trousers, socks (and shoes) and long sleeved tops (typically cotton).

I normally spray my clothes with Lifesystem's Expedition 100+ DEET (95% DEET with natural pyrethroids which work as a bite inhibitor if something does land on you - the DEET doesn't seep through the clothes onto your skin IME) and then I use Lifesystem Expedition 50+ (50% DEET and the bite inhibitor) on my ankles, wrists, neck and face. I generally don't like DEET, hence why I use as little as possible on my skin and prefer to cover up.

However the last time I went, Lifesystem's have brought out a fabric spray called EX4 which is permethrin based rather than DEET based, and I used this rather than the Expedition 100+ on my clothes. I found it effective, but I wasn't there in the height of the wet season, so don't know how it compares properly. Lifesystems also do a non DEET repellent which has the natural pyrethroids to inhibit bites, they do two strengths - Natural 30+ and Natural 40+. I haven't used the non DEET stuff as I haven't been there whilst pregnant, but the bite inhibitor stuff does work IME.

I proof my mozzie net prior to going with Lifesystems EX8 net treatment, this is permethrin also and it kills any bug which comes into contact with it (so is slightly stronger than the EX4).

I have to say I have never been bitten by anything using this approach in all our visits in the last 10 yrs or so. However, I do smell awful and look a tad ridiculous being fully covered, but then I am not swatting at mozzies all night - swings and roundabouts. Grin

Sunshinecurl · 21/07/2012 10:50

Do you want to know the best mosquito repellent ever? Jo Malone lime basil & mandarin cologne... It's magical

rachyconks · 21/07/2012 11:00

I'm 23 weeks and will be going away in a few weeks time. I'm using Avon skin so soft. My mum recommended it. Its an amazing moisturiser, has SPF and is a mosquito repellant. My mum has tried EVERYTHING, (they love her) and this is the only thing that consistantly works for her. I think its about £5 from the Avon website.

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