Using insect repellent while pregnant

[iamrubyfinch]

I am one of those unlucky souls who mosquitoes seem to love! Whenever I usually go on holiday, I continually reapply extra strength Deet-based insect repellents, but I'm guessing that I can't use this whilst I'm pregnant. Does anyone know if this is the case?

Also, are there any alternatives to Deet that you've tried which work? I've read about those wrist and ankle bands on the market which I may try, but there are so many to choose from it's difficult to know where to start!

Thanks x

I didn't have time to research this before we went on our hols. It was a non-malarial area, so I didn't use them and just let the biting happen. I used an ammonia stick on the bites. It specified that it was safe for use in pregnancy.

Since becoming pregnant the mossies LOVE me. We live near water and I have them all over my arms and hands. Can't catch the damn things.

I'm using the wrist bands, which seem to be OK, but the mossies avoided my wrists and went straight for my upper arms instead. I'd suggest using them in combination with something else. If I find anything I'll let you know!

I'm not using any repellent as the smell makes me sick. Delightful.

You definitely can't use deet while pregnant, I've heard tea tree and similar oils can help ward insects off. Is it a malarial region you are going to?

Neals Yard do a fairly effect citronella spray. I've contacted them and it's safe to use while pregnant.

Avon So Soft is also quite effective.

Neither will obv protect against malaria so best to avoid a malarial area entirely.

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions. I'm not going to a malarial area, so they won't do me any harm, but I react really badly to bites and they often get infected so I want to do what I can to avoid being bitten!

I've already got the Avon Skin So Soft spray, and I'll look into the Neals Yard Citronella spray. If I find anything else I'll let you know.

Just been away to Egypt n used the original source lemon shower gel. A roll on repellent natural based from boots n some children repellent wipes n only got one bite

Have good hol

Hi, I hope it's okay to post this. My job is to write patient leaflets called 'bumps' on medicine use in pregnancy ( I work for UKTIS, who are funded by Public Health England). We have a leaflet on using insect repellents, here is the link www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Insect-repellents/

Thanks for this.

No worries, hope you find it useful. It summarises all of the available scientific evidence

Little peas that is a brilliant leaflet. Wish I had read 'bumps' when I was pregnant, it is really good to have the available evidence to hand.

Oh, thanks so much, glad you like it. Please spread the word, there are over 50 leaflets on the site so far and we are adding more all the time. In the next couple of weeks SSRIs will be going on, which is something people ask about a lot. Really chuffed for that feedback, thanks again xx