Safe Mosquito When Pregnant?

Using mosquito repellent when pregnant is generally considered safe, but there are some precautions you should take:

DEET: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a repellent that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) as the active ingredient. DEET is effective in repelling mosquitoes and is safe to use during pregnancy. However, it's important to follow the directions on the product label and avoid over-applying.

Picaridin: Picaridin (also known as Icaridin) is another effective mosquito repellent that is safe to use during pregnancy. It's often found in products labeled as "Picaridin-based" or "Picaridin insect repellent."

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is a plant-based repellent that is also effective against mosquitoes. OLE is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy, but it should not be used on children under 3 years old.

Other Precautions:

- When using mosquito repellent, apply it to exposed skin only and avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, and nose.

- Reapply repellent as directed on the product label, especially after sweating, swimming, or wiping it off.

- Avoid using products that contain high concentrations of DEET (above 30%).

- If you experience any skin irritation or allergic reactions, stop using the product and wash it off with soap and water.

- In addition to using mosquito repellent, you can also take other precautions to reduce your risk of mosquito bites, such as:

- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when you're in mosquito-infested areas.

- Staying indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

- Using mosquito netting over windows and doors.

- Removing standing water from your property, where mosquitoes can breed.

Remember that the best protection against mosquito bites is prevention, so using mosquito repellent and taking these other precautions is important for staying safe from mosquito-borne illnesses during pregnancy.