HomeAnswersObstetrics and Gynecologypesticide exposureI used insecticides in my house unaware of my pregnancy. Will it affect my baby?

Can one-time exposure to insecticides cause harm to a five week pregnant woman?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Reetika

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At August 8, 2022
Reviewed AtAugust 1, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I did not know I was five weeks pregnant when I used a pesticide in the house to kill some ants, and now I am terrified about it. I may have inhaled some, and it may have gotten on my skin. Would a one-time exposure put my baby at risk? Please help me.

Answered by Dr. Reetika

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

I see there are complexities associated when a mother works in hazardous gas places, etc. In your case, you have inhaled for some duration unknowingly. So, please do not worry and stay positive. Kindly tell me, were you the one doing the entire spray, or were you in attendance for a short while? If yes, how long did you stay in the room with gases? It all depends on how long the exposure was, with a few minutes on a single day.

You do not need to stress out. Take care.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I appreciate your time, and I will try not to stress.

The active ingredients in the insecticide are Prallethrin 0.02 % and Cypermethrin 0.05 %. I may have sprayed the substance about five to six sprays and had my face covered with my t-shirt. I was probably in the house for about three to four minutes after spraying the insecticide. I then went outside. So that is the amount of time I was exposed to the chemicals. I am most worried that I stepped on the floor where the chemical was sprayed. And, after it dried, it got on my skin. It may also have gotten on my hand, but I washed my hands with soap about a minute after spraying the product.

Kindly suggest your opinion.

Answered by Dr. Reetika

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for the update.

I have gone through the details, and we can say that you did not have a very long exposure, and you had even covered your face. So nothing to worry about. As far as the contact with the floor is concerned, you had made five to six sprays, so the possibility of you having stepped on the places where a concentrate was there is very low. So I request you not to panic, and everything will be fine. The good part is that you washed your hands and had your face covered.

I hope this has helped you. Take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Reetika
Dr. Reetika

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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