Allergy Medicine While Pregnant

Allergy Medicine While Pregnant

Pregnancy does not mean you cannot take medication for your allergy. It is important, however, to talk to your doctor first. This will apply for both those pregnant and those planning to get pregnant.

Nasal sprays and oral anti-histamine drugs are safe for your pregnancy. But nasal sprays are more recommended as they are only directed to your nasal passages.

The best way to ensure you remain safe is to always strive to avoid allergens.

Factors to Consider As Far As Allergy Medicine While Pregnant Is Concerned

• Is the allergy medicine you are taking safe for you and your unborn baby?
• Pregnancy is known to affect your medication. This is because your blood volume and pressure are likely to increase.
• This may mean taking your medicine differently or even changing it. Most allergy medicines, however, are okay with your pregnancy.
• Taking oral decongestants is likely to cause birth defects. Therefore, anti-histamine nasal sprays should also be avoided.
• Allergic asthma can be harmful during pregnancy. Make sure you continue with your medication as prescribed.
• It is safe to continue taking allergy shots if you get pregnant using them. However, starting allergy shots during pregnancy is discouraged.
• It is important to note that pregnancy affects asthma conditions. It is also true that asthma also affects the outcome of pregnancy.
• Asthma diagnosis during pregnancy should mainly be based on the patient's history.
• Treatment, or rather prevention, by keeping away from allergens is the most effective way to treat asthma during pregnancy.

NOTE: Consulting your doctor is paramount. Let your doctor know the type of medication you are on and advice accordingly.

Allergic Diseases in Pregnancy: Prevalence of Allergic Asthma in Pregnancy

Apart from asthma, there are other allergic diseases that complicate pregnancy. These include food allergy, anaphylaxis and drug allergy.

The management of asthma allergy and other allergies is important. This is because pregnancy affects the management of asthmatic allergy.

Allergic asthma also affects the outcome of pregnancy.

Asthma

Pre-existing allergic asthma may change during pregnancy. It could reduce, worsen or just not change during pregnancy. Put this into consideration when using allergy medicine while pregnant.

Anaphylaxis

Fetal distress can be caused by anaphylaxis though this life-threatening allergic reaction is not common in pregnancy.

Treatment of anaphylaxis in pregnant women should not be different from those not pregnant, however.

Rhinitis /Hay Fever

This is a seasonal allergy. Treatment of rhinitis during pregnancy should not differ much from treating non-pregnant patients.

Like any other form of medication, consult your doctor for the correct dosage of allergy medicine while pregnant.

Diagnosis of Allergic Asthma in Pregnant Women

Diagnosing allergic asthma in pregnancy should focus on a patient's medical history. A detailed symptoms analysis should be carried out.

Avoidance and monitoring of specific allergens should also be considered.

Rigid elimination of food substances is not advisable. This is because both mother and baby require vital nutrients found in food.

During diagnosis, it is important to know that some symptoms are a direct effect of pregnancy. They may not be related to allergic asthma.

Diagnosis tests done during pregnancy should be evaluated upon delivery.

Treatment of Allergic Asthma in Pregnancy

Allergy medication during pregnancy is considered generally safe.
Inhalers can be used under a doctor's prescription. They should be used to combat asthmatic attacks in the long run.
You are advised to continue with your medication during pregnancy.

Rescue medication - This is a type of medication only advised if an asthmatic attack occurs. Treatment by avoidance - This is a type of asthmatic treatment, i.e. prevention, that manages the problem by avoiding exposure to allergens.

Together with your doctor, you should be able to identify your allergic asthmatic triggers. Avoiding these triggers will help in combatting an asthmatic attack.

If you are already using allergic shots, you are advised to continue with your medication. However, it is not safe to start medication using allergy shots during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Use of allergy medicine while pregnant is usually safe. It is important to continue with your previous medication unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

A severe attack of allergic asthma can put your unborn baby in great danger of complications or even fetal death.

The risks associated with the use of allergy medicine while pregnant are minimal. However, chances of having a pre-term baby are high if allergic asthma is not managed well during pregnancy.

Like with any other medication during pregnancy, always consult your doctor. Work with your doctor to identify the allergens that trigger your allergic asthma attack.

Keeping away from allergens is the safest way to prevent an allergic asthma attack.

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