Coping Safely with Allergies During Pregnancy
Low-risk Treatment with Allergy Medications Before Delivery
Aug 22, 2009
During pregnancy some women find that their allergy symptoms improve, others find that they stay the same, while for others they become more severe. Women who have had a previous pregnancy will often experience the same degree of symptoms during the current pregnancy.
A pregnant woman with allergies should seek help from her physician in managing her symptoms. If the mother becomes exhausted from struggling with symptoms, it can be unhealthy for her and her baby, possibly resulting in premature delivery or low birth weight.
Taking Allergy Medication During Pregnancy
For allergy sufferers who are pregnant or nursing, there are important points to keep in mind about allergy medication:
- Even though it would be dangerous to test drugs on pregnant women, there are medications that have a good record for use during this time.
- While there are safe medications available, it is important that a pregnant woman receive medical supervision to manage her allergy symptoms. She should not self-medicate, even with over-the-counter drugs used in the past. Medication consumed by the mother can pass into the bloodstream of the fetus, affecting development, especially during the first trimester.
- A woman does not need to be afraid of all allergy medication during pregnancy, suffering needlessly on her own. By consulting with her physician, a pregnant woman can use safe allergy medication to bring relief.
- If a woman is taking allergy medication and is planning to become pregnant, she will need to consult her physician. Some medications are safe, but others could be dangerous if the woman becomes pregnant.
Skin Testing and Allergy Shots During Pregnancy
Skin testing is not done during pregnancy because of the slight risk of a severe reaction. Epinephrine is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, so the need for it must be avoided.
Allergy shots are not started during pregnancy for the same reason that skin testing is avoided – to prevent the need for epinephrine. If allergy shots are already being used, are well-tolerated and are beneficial, the physician may recommend that they be continued.
Non-medicinal Methods for Managing Allergy Symptoms
There are things that a pregnant woman can do to provide comfort and help alleviate the need for medication during pregnancy:
- Known allergens should be avoided as much as possible.
- If frequent cleaning of the home is needed and is difficult for the pregnant woman, she should enlist the aid of another person.
- Eating well and getting moderate exercise are important for the health of all pregnant women and their unborn babies. A physician can recommend a suitable diet and program.
- Using a non-steroid saline nasal mist and saline nasal rinse can help to control sinus congestion.
- Ice packs can provide relief for any hot, itchy or swollen areas. The ice packs should be double-wrapped if used on the eyes or face.
- Mint or menthol candy can help to bring relief from nasal congestion.
- Using an extra pillow to elevate the head during sleep can help with sinus congestion.
Pregnant women do not need to be afraid of asking their physicians for safe medication to bring relief from allergies during pregnancy. Controlling allergy symptoms under medical supervision is in the best interest of the mother and the fetus.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical attention and supervision.
Sources:
Kwong, Frank K. And Cook, Bruce W. The Complete Allergy Book. Naperville, ILL.: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2002.
Pescatore, Fred. The Allergy and Asthma Cure: A Complete 8-Step Nutritional Program. New York: John Wiley & Son, Inc., 2003.
Website: The Dr. Spock Company, 2004. Visited August 18, 2009.
Website: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, updated March, 2005. Visited August 18, 2009.
For healthy low-allergen recipes for pregnant or nursing mothers see Chicken with Rice to Avoid an Allergic Reaction, Healthy Lentil Brown Rice Soup and Basic Brown Rice Recipe.
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