Safely Treating Your Allergies During Pregnancy: What You Should Know

9 December 2014 by Brent Woods

When you are pregnant, you find that you cannot do all of the things you once did. You are not supposed to drink alcohol, smoke, or consume caffeine. However, what you may not have considered are the restrictions placed upon the medications that you can take while you are with child. These include the treatments you usually rely on to treat your allergies. While you may feel that you cannot function without your daily allergy treatments, the medications you take to treat those allergies may affect the health of your unborn child. However, there are safe, natural allergy treatment options available to you for use while you are pregnant. All you need to do is know which options are safe for you and your unborn child, and give them a try. 

Saline Nasal Treatments

No matter what season it is, nasal allergies can cause you a great deal of pain and discomfort. And pregnancy does not make these nasal allergy symptoms go away. In fact, in some cases pregnancy can make these symptoms worse and more pronounced. 

To help remedy this issue without the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications, you can try a simple saline nasal rinse treatment. If you would like, you can invest in what is known as a Neti pot. These miniature teapot-like devices are used to hold the saline solution and to pour it down your nasal passages. 

Otherwise you can use a simple nasal dropper or squeeze bottle to wash out your nasal passages. Mix a teaspoon or two of salt into warm water and use the Neti pot (or other chosen device) to pour the solution into one nostril. Tilt your head and allow the solution to flow out of the other nostril. Then repeat in the opposite direction.

This will clear your passages of any debris or allergens, helping you to feel clearer and more relieved. 

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine that is entirely safe to consume while you are pregnant. The added bonus of using stinging nettle rather than over-the-counter antihistamines is that they do not cause drowsiness or dry mouth (common side effects of antihistamine pills).

You can take stinging nettle in various forms, but tea is one of the most common ways to consume it. Drinking one hot cup of stinging nettle tea can help to relieve your allergy symptoms both through its antihistamine properties and through the hot steam of the tea.

Wash Your Face and Hands Frequently

Every time you come back inside from the outdoors, you should immediately wash your hands, and — at the very least — rinse your face with water. This will remove any allergens that you may carry in with you on your body.

By removing the allergens from your skin, you will be less likely to inhale them causing your allergy symptoms. It is also a good idea to change your clothing when you come into the house too. This will further remove any allergens you carried in from the outdoors.

As you can see, there are simple, natural methods that you can use to rid yourself of pesky allergy symptoms during pregnancy. These natural remedies are safe for you and your unborn child. But, if you find you need more help than at-home remedies offer, try allergy treatments from a clinic, such as Southwest Idaho Ear Nose & Throat PA. 

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