How to Relieve Allergies While Pregnant

Pregnancy hormones can affect your body in many ways; one of them can be allergies. It is very common for pregnant women to have allergies during pregnancy. It doesn’t matter if you had them before or not, there is still a high chance of developing them when you are pregnant. There are also cases in which the mother doesn't know about their allergies until she gets pregnant, and they intensify.

There are seasonal allergies which are your body’s immune system fighting against things that might not even be that bad for you, such as pollen or dust. Pollen allergy is widespread. Over 60 million people in the U.S are allergic to pollen. There are pretty common ones such as cocklebur, grasses, trees, pigweed, tumbleweed, etc. that can cause seasonal allergies. Most of the time, your allergies won’t harm your baby, and your pregnancy won’t be affected by them.

Symptoms

In many cases, symptoms can look like a congested nose, itching, runny nose, or headaches. If you have had your allergy before, you might know what your symptoms are and how to tell the difference between a runny nose and an allergy.

As your hormones change during pregnancy, it’s normal to get a stuffy nose around the second trimester. The reason is estrogen and progesterone, two hormones your body produces during pregnancy can increase the amount of blood running through your body, which can lead to mucus membranes swelling, the cause of your stuffy nose.

If you experience itching and swelling in addition to the stuffy nose, then it might be an allergic reaction. Consult a doctor to be sure.

Is it safe to take medication?

As always, it is essential to ask your doctor about how to treat your allergies. If you have struggled with allergies before, don't use the medication unless your doctor says it is safe to do so. There are some things to look for when taking allergy medication—nasal sprays are safer than oral medications as they are less likely to get into the bloodstream.

How to Ease Allergies

Saline Nasal Sprays

Saline nasal sprays are usually safe to use for women expecting a child. You spray the liquid into your nose to reduce the congestion.

Be Aware of Your Triggers

If you have experience with allergies, you often know what triggers them and can try to avoid them as much as possible. You might be allergic to pets, dust, or pollen. You could also experience food allergies while pregnant.

Nasal Strips

These nasal strips can be bought at the pharmacy and are effective in keeping your nasal passage open. They lift both sides of your nose and keep your nose open.

Use a Humidifier

A humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help you with allergies. It doesn’t destroy the pollen or other allergens in the air but can help your body against them.

Benadryl

This medicine is usually considered safe for allergy control but check with your doctor. It blocks histamine that your body uses to form an allergic reaction.

Get Some Fresh Air

Good old physical activity and fresh air can help with a congested nose. Exercise is essential to keeping your body and your kid healthy.

Drink water

It seems like water is the solution to many things, but drinking water isn’t only good for you and your allergies, it’s also good for your baby.

Seasonal Allergies

If you think seasonal allergies might bug you, such as pollen, try to wash your clothes and shower after being outside and vacuum often.

Pets

You might be allergic to your pet's hair. Try to vacuum often.

Apple Cider Vinegar

It doesn’t taste great at first, but apple cider vinegar boosts your immune system and can support lymphatic drainage. It also helps the PH balance of the body and prevents heartburn, which is common during pregnancy. Just mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water and consume.

Is Testing Safe?

If you are not sure if you have allergies and your symptoms aren’t clear, an allergy test might be helpful. Some tests are totally safe for mother and baby. A RAST test is an efficient way to test if you have allergies.

This test can be done on more than 400 possible allergies. A blood test can cost anywhere from $100 to $200. Check if your insurance covers it, as many providers do.

After receiving your results, consult with a doctor to see if you can take medication or how to ease your allergies effectively.

Are Allergy Shots Safe?

It isn’t recommended to start with allergy shots while pregnant as they can cause allergic reactions that could potentially harm your baby. If you have been doing shots for a while, you and your baby should be fine. Consult a doctor to be sure.

Summary

Experiencing new or worse allergies than usual is entirely normal while pregnant and many women can get their allergies under control with the help of a doctor and some precautions. It doesn't harm your baby but can be an annoying accompanist during pregnancy.

Be aware of seasonal allergies and keep an eye out if you are not sure what might be causing your reaction. You can also do a safe allergy test. Always consult with a doctor before taking medication.