Insect Bites During Pregnancy: Risks, Treatments & Prevention

Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team

Insect bites are typically irritating, and in rare cases, can be severe. Bites and stings from common insects are usually harmless but can cause mild skin discomfort (1). No research exists on the possible effects of insect bites during pregnancy or how a sting or bite can influence the pregnancy or the fetus. Therefore, after an insect bite, you may seek medical assistance if you are unsure of the type of insect that bit you.

In this post, we discuss what causes insect bites, how to identify them, and how to avoid them during pregnancy.

Are Insect Bites Dangerous When Pregnant?

Insect bites may not be dangerous all the time. In some cases, the bite may get infected, causing either allergic reactions or serious illnesses (such as malaria and LymeⁱA severe disease caused by tick bites disease) (2). As per the American College of Allergy, Asthma,& Immunology, an estimated 1.6% to 5.1% of people in the US have faced life-threatening allergic reactions (3). Bites and stings from certain mosquitoes, flies, ticks, spiders, ants, wasps, bees, yellow jackets, and hornets usually lead to a small, reddish lump or bump on the skin, and could occasionally be itchy and painful (4).

In some cases, a severe allergic reaction to the bite can lead to symptoms such as trouble during swallowing, breathing problems, swelling of the face and mouth, lightheadedness, and dizziness during pregnancy (4). These symptoms warrant immediate medical treatment.

If an insect bite leads to a severe allergic reaction or is causing discomfort, check with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Causes Of Insect Bites During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can be bitten by a variety of insects, depending on their exposure to the insects’ habitats. Bites can potentially be from midges, fleas, lice, mosquitoes, and bed bugs (5). Also, arachnids (such as ticks, mites, and spiders) though not strictly insects, can cause bites (6).

You may be at higher risk of insect bites if you:

• Spend time or work outdoors
• Do not protect yourself properly when visiting gardens, parks or other spaces with thick vegetation
  

  Image: Shutterstock

• Live in warmer climates
• Are living in an environment infested with insects (4)
• Forget the use of tick or flea prevention medicines for pets

Did you know?

Your body temperature, blood type, wearing dark-colored clothing, and using perfume may attract more mosquitoes than usual, increasing the risk of mosquito bites (22).

Symptoms Of Insect Bites During Pregnancy

Primarily, you may notice a small puncture wound in the skin. The reaction you have to the bite could determine the type of insect you were bitten by (7).

In some cases, you are likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Rash or redness
• Pain in the affected area
• Swelling
• Itching
• Hives
• Numbness or tingling
• Heat in and around the bitten area
  

  Image: IStock

Some may experience an allergic reaction (anaphylaxisⁱA potentially life-threatening allergic reaction ) that could lead to symptoms such as (3) (8):

• Fever
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
• Abdominal cramps
  
• Eye pain
  
• Difficulty in breathing and swallowing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Muscle spasms
• Loss of consciousness

When To Seek Medical Advice

Some of these symptoms, especially anaphylactic shock after a bee sting or insect bite, are severe and warrant immediate medical attention.

If you feel these allergic symptoms or any other flu-like symptoms, your doctor may suggest some tests to diagnose the disease or infection you may have developed from the bite.

Safe Treatment For Insect Bites In Pregnancy

Early treatment may help mitigate the symptoms and after-effects of insect bites in pregnancy. Most bites and stings could be treated at home, in case the reaction is mild.

The foremost step for bites and stings could be removing the sting, hairs, or tick in the skin. Do not use any sharp object or tweezers as it could increase the amount of venom released from the bite (3).

• Apply a cold compress: If you are aware of the insect bite, wash the area with water immediately. Applying an ice pack may reduce the pain and swelling (4).

• Anti-itch creams and ointments: Calamine lotion, Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream or ointment, or antihistamine tablets could help relieve itching. As per a study, antihistamines were less used in pregnant patients with hymenoptera (bee, wasp, or hornet) exposures (9).

• Painkillers: Over the counter medications, including acetaminophens (paracetamol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen) may be prescribed for pain and inflammation associated with insect bites (4).
  

  Image: IStock

• First-aid: If the person has a severe reaction and has difficulty breathing, you may have to begin CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Loosen the clothes, lay them down to the side, and perform CPR until paramedics arrive (6). You may also use the EpiPen from the person’s emergency kit if they have one.

EpinephrineⁱA hormone as well as a neurotransmitter, also called adrenalin drug (Adrenalin, EpiPen, Symjepi) is the drug of choice for shock, angioedema, airway obstruction, bronchospasm and urticariaⁱItchy, raised red spots on the skin as a result of allergic reaction to specific foods, medicines, infection, or emotional stress severe anaphylactoid reactions (10).

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Quick tip

If possible, take the insect or spider that bit you to the doctor so they can identify the insect and promptly start appropriate treatment (6).

Complications Of Insect Bites During Pregnancy

Some insect bites can spread diseases with a few mild symptoms. However, little is known about such complications during pregnancy.

• In rare cases, mosquitoes can pass the West Nile Virus (WNV) to humans. This viral infection might cause severe symptoms such as fever, tiredness, headache, swollen glands, body aches, or a skin rash on the tummy. CDC gathered data of 70 pregnant women who had WNV in 2003, and the risk appeared to be comparatively low in fetuses (11). There were only a few reported cases of newborns with WNV (12).

• Some tick bites may carry Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium that causes Lyme disease. In this case, you are likely to experience symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, muscle or joint pains, facial paralysis, and heart palpitations. As per a CDC report, if Lyme disease is not treated during pregnancy, it can infect the placenta. It could pass on to the fetus too, although it happens rarely. However, early treatment makes it less of a risk during pregnancy (13).

• Preterm deliveries have occurred despite tocolysis after insect bites (14).
  

  Image: IStock

• Mortality associated with insect bites is from hypersensitivityⁱAn excessive immunological response to a medication or other substance reactions either anaphylactic (IgE) or anaphylactoid (non IgE mediated).
• Anaphylaxis from an insect’s sting can lead to placental abruption, fetal death, and the formation of a retroplacental clot (14).
   

Are Pregnant Women More Prone To Mosquito Bites?

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, malaria-carrying mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae) find pregnant women to be more attractive than non-pregnant women (15). Around 36 pregnant women were compared with 36 non-pregnant women of Gambia, and pregnant women attracted twice the number of mosquitoes than their non-pregnant counterparts.

One observation was that women in advanced pregnancy state exhale 21% more air than non-pregnant women. Mosquitoes are, therefore, attracted to extra moisture and carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath.

Another observation was the abdomen temperature, which was likely to be 0.7C hotter in pregnant women. Volatile substances released from the warm skin surface, therefore, attracted the insects (5).

This is just one speculation and could be a reason why insects find pregnant women more attractive. Understanding these factors can help pregnant women take proactive steps and prevention strategies, reducing their risk of bites and potential complications.

Preventing Insect Bites During Pregnancy

Precautions you can take to lower your risk of insect bites and stings are listed next (16) (17):

• • Wear fully covered clothes. Light-colored clothing appears to be less attractive to many biting insects. If you are outside during mosquito or tick-active hours, cover your skin by putting on long sleeves, long trousers, shoes, and socks.
  • Periodic pest control may eliminate nests and minimize the reproduction of biting insects.
  • Avoid strongly scented products such as perfumes, deodorants, soaps, and shampoos as the odor can attract insects.
  • Avoid going out at dawn and dusk as mosquitoes, and other insects are highly active. Close the doors and windows around this time.
  • Stay away from flowering plants, ponds and swamps, compost, and rubbish areas as insects nest or congregate in these areas.
  • Consider using mosquito nets around your bed.
  • Consider using mosquito nets for outdoor sleeping areas, especially in high-risk regions.

Image: IStock

• Make sure window and door screens are in good condition to keep bugs out.
• Have your pets regularly treated for fleas.
• Using insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-ethyl-m-toluamide, or m-DET) could help.

Quick tip

Avoid walking in the grass barefoot, and wear shoes that fully cover your feet to prevent insect bites (16).

Infographic: Preventing Insect Bites During Pregnancy

When you know the possible complications that might be caused due to insect bites during pregnancy, it is essential to abide by the preventive measures. To help you remember these measures easily, we have compiled them in the following infographic. Keep it handy and share it with others too.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Effective Remedies To Treat Insect Bite In Pregnancy

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Pregnant women frequently express worry about using insect repellent. Watch this helpful video to learn about the risks of using mosquito repellent during pregnancy.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Irene (Eirini) OrfanoudakiPhD, MD

Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki is a gynecologist-obstetrician, having a private practice in Heraklion, Crete, and collaborating with private health clinic 'MITERA' - Euromeda in Heraklion. With around 21 years of experience as a gynecologist-obstetrician, she specializes in ultrasound, colposcopy, minimal and advance gynecologic surgery, aesthetic gynecology, fertility consulting, menopause consulting, operative obstetrics, high-risk pregnancy, normal deliveries, antenatal, intra-parum, postnatal care, breast diseases, and teenage issues.

Read full bio of Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das