How to protect your skin from insect bites when expecting a baby

The summer heat can put a strain on a pregnant woman, including drops in blood pressure, swollen legs and the risk of dehydration, due to the increased production of sweat .

As if that weren’t enough, at this time of year we also have to deal with mosquitoes , which seem to be particularly attracted to the skin of expectant mothers. So what to do to defend yourself from insect bites during pregnancy ?

In addition to using a safe repellent product for mother and child, there are several precautions that can be taken to keep common mosquitoes and tiger mosquitoes away. Let’s see together which ones are the most effective.

Is it true that mosquitoes bite pregnant women more?

While it may seem strange, it is true: some researchers have in fact observed that mosquitoes bite pregnant women about twice as often as non-pregnant ones .

The reasons seem to be different. First of all, remember that mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide. As we know, as pregnancy progresses, the growth of the uterus “robs space” from the lungs and the woman tends to take shorter and more frequent breaths, emitting a greater quantity of this gas.

Furthermore, mosquitoes are particularly attracted to certain substances released by our skin , which increase with sweat. During pregnancy, the increased blood flow to the tissues caused by hormones tends to cause a rise in body temperature and an increase in sweating , probably accentuating the release of these substances.

How to protect your skin from insect bites during pregnancy?

The use of a valid mosquito repellent product to be applied to the skin , which is safe for the health of mother and child, can be of great help. In addition to this, however, there are several useful strategies to protect yourself from insect bites, both pregnant and not.

1. Stop water stagnation

Often empty the plant saucers or other containers in the house, on the balcony or in the garden (such as buckets, watering cans, etc.). In fact, mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water.

2. Physical barriers

Install screens on windows to keep insects out of the house. In addition, you can also use bed nets for extra protection while you sleep.

3. Protective clothing

• Choose light colored clothes and instead avoid dark dyes, bright colors or floral fabrics, which tend to attract mosquitoes and other insects.

• Wear light but covering clothes , in order to limit the areas exposed to stings (and therefore the amount of repellent to use).

• Choose loose clothing , this will make it more difficult for mosquitoes to bite through your clothes.

4. Perfume

• To avoid attracting bugs, avoid using perfume, deodorant, body wash, or any other skin or hair product that has a fruity or floral fragrance .

• Conversely, you can try using aromas that mosquitoes don’t like that can act as a barrier on the skin , such as products based on citronella, lavender or some vegetable oils (such as neem oil or andiroba oil, etc.).