Allergy in pregnancy and its treatment are still a controversial topic. Thanks to antiallergic drugs, you can live with allergies. When you become pregnant, everyone advises you to stop taking it. Is calcium really the only salvage in alleviating allergy symptoms? It doesn't have to be that way - sometimes stopping treatment is even inadvisable.

Allergy in pregnancyas well asasthma in pregnancyare topics that arouse lively discussions on internet forums. Most pregnant women stop taking all medications, although they can hardly bear their allergic ailments. They grit their teeth and suffer. They do this for the benefit of developing fetuses. Meanwhile, according to doctors, this is not always wise, especially if your allergic reactions have been quite intense. In asthma, it is not an option to stop treatment during pregnancy.

Allergy in pregnancy - comes and goes

The raging storm of hormones in your body makes it difficult to predict its reactions. It may be that during pregnancy, for the first time in years, you may not notice that the grass is dusty at all, or it may be that in those nine months you will find out what an allergy is. Regardless of how things happen, you should be more careful than usual with the most allergenic products: citrus, chocolate, nuts, seafood, milk and honey.

Do not experiment with new cosmetics - use proven preparations or use those from the pharmacy. If you have not been allergic to cosmetics so far, and you have symptoms that may indicate it, consult a specialist without delay.

Continue allergy treatment during pregnancy

If you have been a patient of an allergist before, there is no reason to stop treatment. The most important thing is that you visit him as soon as possible after finding out that you are pregnant, because it may turn out that, due to your condition, you need to modify the treatment and replace the drugs with ones that are safer for the developing child. This is important because in the case of acute allergy accompanied by dyspnea, giving up medications may result in hypoxia. So the effects of avoiding treatment can be much more dangerous than the possible harmful effects of drugs.

Important

FDA classification

Doctors often refer to the classification of the American security institutionU.S. medications and food products Food and Drug Administration In the package leaflet you will not find information about which category it belongs to, but only information that it may or may not be used during pregnancy or that your doctor should decide about it.

  • A - tests on animals and observations in humans did not show harmful effects to the fetus; can be used during pregnancy.
  • B - studies on animals have shown harmful effects on the fetus, although observations in humans do not indicate any risk to the human fetus; can be used during pregnancy in the event of absolute necessity.
  • C - drugs in animal studies have shown harmfulness to the fetus or the lack of reliable data from the observation of the use of this drug in humans; can be used during pregnancy only when, in the opinion of the doctor, the benefit to the mother would outweigh the potential risk to the fetus.
  • D - known to pose a threat to the fetus; their use during pregnancy is allowed only when it is necessary for the mother's welfare, and the administration of a safer alternative drug is impossible or contraindicated.
  • X - pose a direct threat to the fetus; are absolutely not allowed for use during pregnancy.

- The most important thing is the patient's condition before getting pregnant - says Dr. Janusz Czarski, allergist at Lux Med Clinic. - The doctor can and should correct the medications used and replace, for example, those from group C. If you are undergoing immunotherapy (desensitization), you can continue it under the doctor's supervision. That is why it is worth considering this form of fighting allergy before pregnancy. However, after conception, it must not be started.

Allergy - Future mom's ABC

- We do not use any drugs from group C during pregnancy and we are looking for a drug with a similar effect in the group of drugs from category B - emphasizes Dr. Janusz Czarski. Antihistamines in category B, i.e. those approved for administration during pregnancy, are Claritine (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) and its counterparts: Allertec and Amertil. A preparation from category C, i.e. prohibited during pregnancy, is, for example, Telfast (fexphenyidine) - due to a narrow margin of safety compared to the previous group.

From the group of steroid inhalants used in bronchial asthma and allergic mucositis, group B includes budesonide as an active ingredient, eg Budesonide and Pulmicort. Of the inhaled bronchodilators in an asthma attack, Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) and Berodual (ipratropium bromide + fenoterol) are in the safer category B for pregnancy. Other drugs of this group may inhibit the birthing process. A drug called Singulair is approved during pregnancy(montelukast), recommended as an alternative to the bronchodilator group, to be used in conjunction with inhaled steroids to prevent asthma exacerbations.

Pregnancy allergy always under control

Remember! Also in the case of allergies, there is a strict rule that you do not take any medications during pregnancy, even those available over the counter, without consulting a doctor.

So if you are not under the constant care of an allergist and have used over-the-counter medications on your own, then after finding out that you are pregnant, stop taking them as soon as possible and go to a doctor.

It is safe for you and your baby to use saline and sea water for nasal rinsing, and for soothing skin irritation - Nanobase or Alantan.

You can also drink calcium, but not more than 1000 mg a day (excess calcium, especially when combined with vitamin C, can cause urolithiasis).

Put aside drops and ointments

- Nasal drops often cause serious trouble, and not only in the case of pregnant women - says Dr. Czarski. - They are available over the counter and many people do not realize that if used in excess they can be harmful. Ladies who are expecting a child should be strongly advised against them. You should also not use ointments (Elidel or Protopic) - they are too strong agents to deal with during pregnancy.

Precautions

The easiest way would be to avoid contact with the substance that sensitizes you. The problem is that this is usually not entirely possible. It is easier to avoid food allergens; For example, animal hair can cause more trouble. It is especially difficult to get away from pollen and dust. But there are ways to minimize their amount in the environment.

Follow the messages about pollination of plants - you will find them on TV and radio weather forecasts and on the Internet.

Change your clothes when you come home, preferably take a shower right away and wash your head. You can rinse your eyes and nose with boiled water or saline.

Avoid opening windows on dry days.

The best time to ventilate and go for a walk is after rain, and in the mornings and evenings when the air has less pollen in the air. This is important not only for your well-being, but also for your baby's he alth after birth. The fetus can make antibodies and can become sensitized when allergens enter the fetus through the amniotic fluid and the placenta.

"M jak mama" monthly

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Pregnancy