Approximately 20% of pregnant women grapple with allergies, a condition that may exhibit changes during pregnancy, possibly due to hormonal fluctuations, affecting up to one-fifth of expectant mothers. While some women experience an exacerbation of allergy symptoms, others witness no alteration or even a disappearance of their allergies during pregnancy.
Addressing allergies becomes particularly crucial during this period, prompting the adoption of appropriate allergen avoidance measures tailored to the specific cause of allergies, ensuring the safest approach to management.
For those contending with fall or spring hay fever, maintaining closed windows in homes and cars can prevent the ingress of pollen. Individuals sensitive to house dust mites may benefit from using mite-proof encasings on mattresses and pillows while removing carpets from bedrooms. Pregnant women facing pet allergies should consider relocating pets, or at least restricting them from the bedroom, to alleviate allergy symptoms.
A common concern among pregnant individuals with allergies revolves around medication safety. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology advises starting with saline nasal spray and humidifiers as an initial step to alleviate nasal symptoms. Ideally, medication use should be minimized, and any changes in medication, including over-the-counter treatments, should be discussed with an allergist.
First-generation oral antihistamines like brompheniramine (Dimetapp), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are deemed generally safe during pregnancy, although they may cause side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth. Second-generation oral antihistamines, including cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin), and intranasal corticosteroids like fluticasone (Flonase) and mometasone (Asmenax), are also considered safe with fewer side effects.
While oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) are generally safe after the first trimester, caution is advised during the initial trimester due to a potential association with a slight increase in the risk of abdominal wall birth defects.
Allergy immunotherapy should not commence during pregnancy, but for those already undergoing treatment before pregnancy, continuation may be considered. However, individual considerations and potential modifications to the immunotherapy schedule should be discussed with an allergist.
Pregnancy may introduce new allergic-like symptoms, often categorized as “rhinitis of pregnancy.” While not a true allergy, this condition, likely stemming from hormonal changes, causes severe nasal congestion. Common allergy medicines may not significantly improve nasal blockage, but pregnant women can find relief through a humidifier, saline nasal spray, and the safe use of over-the-counter nasal strips.
It’s essential for expectant mothers to collaborate with physicians and allergists to effectively and safely manage nasal issues during pregnancy, ensuring the well-being of both mother and child.
