During pregnancy, how you handle allergic reactions is important not just to your health, but also to your unborn child's. Although some medications are considered to be safe to use during pregnancy, you need to explore using other measures to control your allergies. Here are some possible methods you can use to get allergy relief.
Allergy Medication
You should never use any medication while pregnant without first talking to your obstetrician. Some drugs are known to adversely impact the health of unborn children. Even if you took over-the-counter medications in the past to control your symptoms, you should still consult with your doctor.
Some over-the-counter medications, such as diphenhydramine and fexofenadine, are usually safe to take during pregnancy. These drugs work by suppressing your immune system's reaction to exposure to an allergen. As a result, your symptoms are reduced or eliminated for a period of time. Your doctor might recommend using these to control mild to moderate allergy symptoms.
It is important that you avoid using decongestants in the first three months of your pregnancy. There is a possibility that the drugs can cause birth defects in your unborn child.
Trigger Avoidance
One of the best possible ways to deal with allergies is to focus on prevention. Part of that is avoiding known allergens so that your immune system is not exposed to them. For instance, if you are allergic to pollen, you can limit the amount of time that you spend outside, keep the windows closed, and rely on your air conditioner units to help filter the air that is coming into your home from outside.
Neti Pot
A neti pot can help if you are suffering from nasal allergies. The pot involves using a saltwater solution to clean your nasal cavity. You can opt to use your own saline solution or purchase one from your local pharmacy. If you are mixing your own solution, use filtered water. To use the pot, you will need to tilt your head and pour the water into your upper nostril. The saltwater will drain through your lower nostril. Even though this is considered a relatively safe method of treating allergies during your pregnancy, you should talk to your obstetrician before using the pot because he or she will need to discuss any possible risks or side effects of doing so.
Just because you are pregnant, you do not have to suffer through the allergies. A doctor at a clinic like Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center can help you create an allergy treatment plan that not only takes into account your pregnancy, but also gives you the relief you need.
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