How to Manage Allergies During Pregnancy

Is there anything worse than your pregnancy symptoms being compounded with your allergy symptoms? Below we discuss allergy symptoms during pregnancy and how to find relief.

Allergy Symptoms During Pregnancy

If you don’t normally experience allergies but seem to have developed symptoms during pregnancy, you may be experiencing pregnancy rhinitis. Pregnancy rhinitis describes allergy-like symptoms, but they’re not actually due to an immune response like allergies are. Instead, they are caused by fluctuating hormones. This is why they may not be responding to antihistamines.

If you do normally experience allergies, you may have noticed they seem worse now that you are pregnant. We have some strategies to help you find relief.

Treating Allergies During Pregnancy

Like with any other condition you’ll experience during pregnancy, the goal of treating allergies is to relieve symptoms without affecting the baby.

Allergen Avoidance Strategies

Ideally, you should try to manage allergies by reducing or eliminating your exposure to allergens. Strategies include:

• Showering and changing clothes immediately after spending time outdoors
• Bathing pets no more than once per week
• Deep cleaning your home, especially bedding, carpeting and drapes
• Running the air conditioning or installing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter

Managing Allergies with Medications

Always talk to your doctor before starting any medications or supplements to treat allergies if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding so they can help you weigh the benefits versus the risks.

Below are some common allergy medications and treatment options and whether they’re generally considered safe to take during pregnancy. Again though, every pregnancy is different. Talk to you doctor before starting any new treatments:

• Older antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine, dexchlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine are generally considered safe to take during pregnancy by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Newer antihistamines such as Claritin and Zyrtec may also be safe.
• Medicated nasal sprays like Nasonex and Flonase are typically considered safe to treat severe congestion.
• Immunotherapy may be continued during pregnancy, but it is not recommended to start allergy shots during pregnancy. Many allergists will lower the dose of the allergy shot during pregnancy to reduce risk of anaphylaxis.
• Decongestants should be avoided during pregnancy, especially pseudoephedrine.

For more information about managing allergies during pregnancy or to schedule an appointment with an expert allergist, call Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery today.