When it comes to taking allergy medications while pregnant, it’s right for a woman to be concerned about the baby. Women need to be very cautious about using any drugs during pregnancy and if at all possible, to avoid them completely in the first trimester. Most importantly, before taking any allergy drugs at any point during pregnancy, talk to your doctor. Avoid certain allergy medicationsUse of oral decongestants is associated with increased risk of birth defects. Some oral antihistamines, like Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), Claritin (loratadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine) appear to be safe after the first trimester, safe meaning they have caused no known harm in studies that have been done. Avoid antihistamines combined with a decongestant. (Most have a D for decongestant after the name, like Claritin-D.) Nasal sprays, as prescribed or recommended by a doctor, are applied only in the nose. That means their effects do not go throughout the body like oral medications. However, avoid nasal spray decongestants. There is not enough evidence to indicate whether or not they are safe. Don’t start allergy shots during pregnancy. If women are already taking them when they become pregnant, they can continue. The reality is, not taking any allergy medication is the best option. But for women whose allergy symptoms are leaving them sleepless and unable to function, taking medication with a doctor’s approval may be better for both them and the baby. It’s important for women with allergic asthma to use their prescribed medication. Uncontrolled asthma can cause serious problems during pregnancy. Watch the pollen countPrimarily, pollens in the air cause spring allergies. Pollens come primarily from trees and grasses. When pollen grains get into the nose, the immune system mistakenly labels them as foreign and releases antibodies to attack these allergens. That leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger runny noses, itchy eyes and other symptoms. Avoiding triggers is the first and best option, although it is admittedly difficult. Pollens circulate more on windy days. The higher the pollen count, the more miserable one will be. Many cities publicize daily pollen counts. When counts are high or when it is windy, keep windows and doors closed. If possible, stay inside. Minimize allergiesThere are also some other steps to take to minimize allergies without danger to the baby:
Try to keep a positive mindset. Two things are for certain: Seasonal allergies and pregnancy, both, do not last forever. While pregnant, try to avoid potential triggers and use alternatives to medication to minimize the effects of seasonal allergies. There is an end in sight, and soon mom will be breathing easy and enjoying a healthy, happy baby. Learn more… Posted In Ear, Nose & Throat, Health Information, Pregnancy, Women's Medically reviewed by Michael Weber, M.D. — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on July 29, 2016
Overview If you can’t step outside without sneezing, chances are seasonal allergies are to blame. Pregnancy can cause enough symptoms as it is. But adding an itchy nose to an itchy belly can make for a long trimester. Seasonal allergies cause symptoms, including:
The condition can affect your breathing. So can pregnancy. Fortunately, there are many safe treatments you can use to relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. You need to be careful of the medications you take and other treatments during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know about treating seasonal allergies. Your body’s immune system ideally fights against “bad guys” like flu viruses, colds, and other infection-causing organisms that seek to make you sick. But sometimes, your immune system reacts to things that really aren’t all that harmful to you. This is the case with seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies occur when your body reacts to allergens that tend to show up in a certain season. Seasonal allergies are usually your body’s reaction to pollen. Pollen is a powdery substance that forms the male sperms cells that fertilize plants so they can reproduce. Common culprits of seasonal allergies include:
Depending on where you live, spring allergies can pop up around February and end in early summer. Fall allergies can take place in late summer and continue until late fall. Pregnancy can make seasonal allergies worse. Also, a condition called “rhinitis of pregnancy” can cause similar symptoms to seasonal allergies. This usually occurs in the last trimester. But the cause of rhinitis of pregnancy is extra hormones, not allergens. Moms-to-be with seasonal allergies can use several at-home treatments to relieve their symptoms. Some examples include:
If you can avoid whatever’s causing your seasonal allergies, you can often keep your symptoms at bay. Most pregnant women can safely take over-the-counter allergy medications. Examples of medications that have research to support that they’re safe for pregnant women to take (as of currently available data) include:
There are always risks when taking any medication during pregnancy. Women should talk with their doctors before taking allergy medicines to make sure they aren’t potentially harmful. While doctors consider many oral over-the-counter medications safe for seasonal allergies, using both oral and nasal spray decongestants isn’t as studied or well-known. Use of nasal sprays may be safer than oral decongestants. That’s because nasal sprays aren’t as likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream. An example is oxymetazoline, an ingredient in brands like Afrin and Neo-Synephrine. Women should exercise caution when using nasal sprays for more than three days. This is because using decongestants for longer can make allergy symptoms worse by causing nasal swelling. Some women also get allergy shots. These are compounds of allergens that are injected as a means to desensitize a person to an allergen. If a woman becomes pregnant while she is in the course of her allergy shots, she can usually keep getting them. Pregnancy isn’t a good time to start getting allergy shots. It’s possible they can cause strong allergic reactions. Without knowing a woman’s reaction, it’s best to delay starting allergy shots until after giving birth. Doctors haven’t widely studied some medicines regarding their safety in pregnancy. This is because it isn’t ethical to perform testing on pregnant women. As a result, most information about medications is due to reports and knowledge about general medication safety. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI), several medications aren’t considered safe. During the first trimester, it’s especially important to consider the potential risks and benefits because the baby is developing the most then. Unsafe treatments during pregnancy include:
If your seasonal allergy symptoms have made sleep evasive or are interfering with your daily activities, treatments are available that are likely safe for you and baby. Always talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding medications. You can also read medication labels carefully to ensure your medicines don’t have a warning for pregnant women (manufacturers are legally required to list their pregnancy safety information). If you have questions on specific allergy medicines, visit the website MotherToBaby.org. This site is operated by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, whose members study medication safety for pregnant and breast-feeding moms. Pregnancy and seasonal allergies are self-limiting conditions. Your due date will come and blooming season will end. It’s important you stay as comfortable as possible while you navigate both. Last medically reviewed on July 29, 2016
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