Pregnancy is a time of many joys and discomforts. Many of the health problems that trouble women normally also continue during pregnancy, and allergies are no exception. Pregnancy presents many challenges when it comes to medication, because many medicines can be harmful to a developing fetus. For this reason, women may prefer to try natural remedies, instead. Always check with your doctor about safe use of medication or natural remedies during pregnancy. Although natural remedies usually are safer, some can present health risks of their own.
Risks of Allergy Medication
Mainstream medications may present risks during pregnancy. Some allergy medicines work by blocking the histamines that produce allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, congestion and watery eyes. Antihistamine medications may lead to dehydration during pregnancy if you do not drink enough water to offset their drying effects. Other allergy medicines are decongestants or corticosteroids, which shrink the blood vessels in the nose that cause the feeling of sinus congestion. Decongestants may contain stimulants such as pseudoephedrine, which can increase blood pressure and therefore may be unsafe during pregnancy. A 1997 study by the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center found that corticosteroid use during pregnancy could increase the risk of preeclampsia, a serious complication.
Neti Pot
Use of a neti pot is an ancient Himalyan practice that is now used in Western societies as well. The neti pot is a small spout that irrigates the sinuses with warm salt water. The salt water flushes bacteria out of the sinuses, which may prevent sinus infections. Regular use of a neti pot also provides some relief from nasal congestion associated with allergies.
Dietary Changes
Certain foods can aggravate seasonal allergy symptoms. One of the worst offenders is dairy because it increases mucus production, which leads to congestion. Sugar is another common dietary contributor to mucus production. Although sugar can be safely eliminated from the diet during pregnancy with no negative effects, consult your doctor or a nutritionist if you want to go dairy-free during pregnancy. Dairy products contain calcium, which is especially essential during pregnancy for bone formation. If you give up dairy to reduce your allergy symptoms, a nutritionist can help you identify nondairy sources of calcium to make sure your baby still gets all the necessary nutrients.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a treatment in the category called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture relieves allergy symptoms by carefully placing small pins in parts of the body that correspond with particular organ systems or energy sites. Acupuncture may be used alone or in combination with traditional Western medicine or Chinese herbs.
References
- "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"; The Safety of Asthma and Allergy Medicines During Pregnancy; Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center; M. Schatz; 1997
- Pregnancy Today: Natural Remedies for Allergies during Pregnancy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Allergic Rhinitis
- Brown University: Sinusitis
- Pacific College: Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for Allergy Relief
- CBS News: Spring Allergies: Seven Natural Remedies
