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Allergies are very common in pregnancy, especially in women who have previously suffered from allergic reactions. However, it is common for symptoms to get worse during this phase, due to the increase in hormones and changes that occur in the body, which can make women more sensitive to allergens.
In addition, dryness and elongation of the skin, along with other changes, can make the pregnant woman more susceptible to suffering from hives.
Although allergic symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort, the pregnant woman should be careful before taking any medication, and should talk to the obstetrician first, in order to understand which ones are safer in each stage of pregnancy.
Does allergy in pregnancy harm the baby?
Generally, the allergy is not dangerous for the baby, if properly treated. However, the symptoms of uncontrolled asthma can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the baby's blood supply, so controlling asthma symptoms is very important to allow both to receive enough oxygen.
What are the safe remedies in pregnancy
During pregnancy, medication intake should be avoided as much as possible. However, it is necessary to assess the benefits against the risks and, if allergy symptoms start to affect the mother's appetite, sleep and emotional well-being, it may be necessary to resort to them.
The antihistamines that are considered safer to use in pregnant women are chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine and loratadine, however, they should only be used if recommended by the doctor. The use of decongestants is not recommended and, instead, the pregnant woman may choose to use saline solutions, to help decongest and wash the nose.
If more severe symptoms appear, which last for several days, it may be necessary to resort to nasal spray corticosteroids. Budesonide is considered the drug of choice for these situations, as it is the safest, but its use should be avoided as much as possible.
If the allergy manifests itself on the skin and the pregnant woman suffers from hives, before using medications, she can make a bath of oatmeal and lavender or a poultice of clay and aloe, which calm the irritation. Learn how to prepare these home remedies.
How to relieve symptoms without medications
Before resorting to treatment with medication, or even to complement it, the pregnant woman can take some measures that help to relieve symptoms naturally, such as:
- Avoid the root causes of the allergy;
- Use daily saline solutions for washing the nose, which help eliminate allergens;
- Avoid contact with animals;
- Bathing and washing your hair when you arrive from the street, to eliminate allergens, such as pollen for example;
- Avoid cigarette smoke, strong smells and fumes, which can worsen symptoms;
- Avoid very hot baths;
- Do not wear clothes that are too tight and are not made of cotton;
- Avoid scratching the affected region;
- Practice relaxation exercises to manage stress.
In addition, food is also very important to help prevent allergies in pregnancy. It is believed that the omega 3 present in fish can have a preventive effect, as well as the intake of fruits and vegetables, vitamins C, D, E and folate.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ALLERGY, ASMA AND IMMUNOLOGY. Pregnancy and Allergies. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Mar 2019
- AMERICAN PREGNANCY ASSOCIATION. Hives During Pregnancy. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Mar 2019
- AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY. Asthma, Allergies and Pregnancy. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Mar 2019
- APTACLUB. How allergies can affect you and your baby in pregnancy. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Mar 2019