How Do You Get Rid Of A Stuffy Nose While Pregnant
To ease congestion and other symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis: Drink plenty of hydrating fluids. Elevate your head with extra pillows when you lie down to rest or sleep. Take a warm shower and linger in the steamy bathroom. Try saline nose drops or saline nasal spray, available over the counter at drugstores.
Immunotherapy Or Allergy Shots
Allergy shots are not generally started during pregnancy due to concerns over a possible anaphylactic reaction. However, patients using immunotherapy without a problem before getting pregnant may elect to continue treatment.
Prescription Medications Youre Already Taking
Before pregnancy, you may already be taking prescription medications for thyroid issues, high blood pressure, or other conditions. Speak with your doctor about continuing these medications, especially if youre already pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future.
In many cases, you may safely take your medication during pregnancy. Sometimes you may need to either adjust dosages or switch to another medication thats considered safer for you and baby.
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Which Drugs Are Safe Or Unsafe
Violetta Shamilova, PharmD, is a board-licensed pharmacist. She is an assistant professor at the Touro College School of Health Sciences, and has worked at CVS pharmacy for five years. She completed the certified APhA Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services course.
Many women must continue taking medically necessary prescription drugs throughout their pregnancies, as failing to do so would endanger both mother and baby. But it’s smart to be concerned about the effects of medication on a growing fetus.
Different medications carry different risks. The importance of maternal comfort is also an important consideration. Allergies can make some women miserable, and medication may be needed so that allergy symptoms are not taking over their lives.
Allergy Medications To Avoid
While most antihistamines are safe to take during pregnancy, some other medications often used to treat allergy symptoms may not be. Expectant moms should be mindful of combination allergy formulas that include other ingredients unsafe for pregnant women, like aspirin or other NSAIDs, and some cough suppressants or expectorants.
You should also take care to avoid allergy medications with decongestants like pseudoephedrine , says Dr. Jones, unless your physician or midwife has approved it.
Although decongestants are unlikely to cause problems with the fetus, they can cause an increase in blood pressure in certain individuals, Dr. Jones explains.
There is some research suggesting a slightly higher risk of birth defects associated with pseudoephedrine, although so far, those possible risks have only been identified during the first trimester.
That means Sudafed may be a limited-use option for women in their second and third trimesters who do not have any previous hypertension issues .
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Can I Take Advil While Pregnant
Youre having a babysubscribe to our Todays Parent Pregnancy by Week newsletter!Ibuprofen is metabolized in the mothers and babys kidneys and we worry about the baby going into renal failure, MacQuarrie says. We also worry that ibuprofen can close the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta thats only open in fetal circulation, and should only close after the baby is born.
Is It Safe To Take Allergy Medications
In the vast majority of cases, the answer is yes. Its safe to continue taking your allergy medications the same way you were before you got pregnant. Its always wise to check with your doctor about medication use, and rarely is it necessary to discontinue allergy medications.
Antihistamines may be useful to treat nasal and eye symptoms caused by various allergies. As always, talk with your doctor or allergist to help you weigh the benefits against any possible risk to your baby. To ease your allergy symptoms, consider these options:
- Chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine have been around for years and used safely during pregnancy. Most doctors recommend chlorpheniramine, but keep in mind that both medications can make you sleepy or affect your ability to function. Recent popular choices that are less sedating are the antihistamines loratadine and cetirizine .
- Pseudophedrine may result a slight increase in abdominal wall defects in newborns, and is best avoided during pregnancy.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays are an effective option if your runny nose and congestion are really bothering you and last for more than a few days. But youll want to talk it over with your doctor first as there arent many studies on their use during pregnancy.
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Alternatives To Allergy Medication
You might also find the following tools helpful to avoiding taking allergy medication while pregnant
-limiting exposure to triggers to your allergies
-using an over the counter nasal saline spray to flush allergens
-using a nasal irrigation system like a Neti-Pot
-getting physically active, which can reduce inflammation
-using nasal strips for sleep, as well as elevating pillows
With many safe options for medications over the counter, prescriptions and remedies, you dont have to suffer from your seasonal allergies while pregnant! Subscribe to our newsletter for a free handy guide for medication usage for allergies to reference.
Safe Otc Allergy Meds To Take During Pregnancy
These over-the-counter allergy meds have no known harmful effects during pregnancy when you take them according to the package directions.
Note: Do not take the ‘D’ forms of these medications in your first trimester.
Check with your doctor before taking any medicines during your pregnancy. Be especially cautious in the first trimester, a crucial time for your baby’s development.
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What Home Remedies Can I Take For A Cold While Pregnant
breathing warm, humid air to help loosen congestion a facial steamer, hot-mist vaporizer, or even a hot shower can work. chicken soup , to help relieve inflammation and soothe congestion. adding honey or lemon to a warm cup of decaffeinated tea to relieve a sore throat. using hot and cold packs to alleviate sinus pain.
Is Skipping Allergy Medication While Pregnant Safe
As the saying goes, the best treatment is prevention. So, the best course of action is to avoid the source of the problem and adopt preventative steps. Certain allergies, such as pollen allergies, are, of course, uncontrollable. Wearing a mask, though, can lessen the effect. In other circumstances, you can adopt allergy-proofing precautions in your house.
It is always best to seek medical advice. Your doctor will prescribe the medication you should take based on the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms are minor, your doctor may suggest different therapies.
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Is It Safe To Skip Allergy Medication When Pregnant
As the saying goes, prevention is the best medicine. So, the best way is to stay away from the cause of them and take preventive measures. Of course, you cant control certain allergies such as pollen allergies. However, you can reduce its impact by wearing a mask. In other cases, you can take preventive measures to make your home allergy-proof.
It is always better to consult with your doctor. Depending on the severity of your symptoms your doctor will prescribe the medication you should take. If your symptoms are light, then your doctor may recommend alternative treatments.
Can You Take Allergy Medications While Pregnant
When youre pregnant, you want to safeguard not only your health but also the health of your baby. So, if you wrestle with allergies, you may be wondering about the safety of your allergy medications. Heres what you need to know so that you and your doctor can create an effective allergy management plan for you.
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About Antihistamines And This Study
About antihistamines
Antihistamines include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. They typically are used to treat
- Asthma and/or allergies
- Indigestion .
About 10-15% of women report taking antihistamines during pregnancy.
About this study
Researchers reviewed more than 50 published scientific articles that looked at the link between antihistamine use during pregnancy and birth defects. They evaluated the articles based on certain criteria: how researchers selected their study populations, how researchers determined antihistamine use in pregnancy, and how researchers identified babies with birth defects.
Can I Take Allergy Medicine While Pregnant
Antihistamines have, for the most part, been shown to be safe, says Koren. Benadryl is often recommended for pregnant women because there are many years of data associated with use, and Koren adds that theres also been a very large review of the use of non-drowsy antihistamines that did not show any problems.
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Should Allergy Medicines Be Taken By Pregnant Women
Many womens allergy symptoms seem to disappear during pregnancy. However, this may not be the case for all pregnant women. If youre expecting a child and have an allergy, you might be wondering if you should avoid taking allergy medicine. Yes, however, there are ways to manage it throughout pregnancy, both with and without antihistamines.
What Else Can You Do For Allergy During Pregnant
Although it is safe for you to take some allergy medicine while pregnant, you can do many things to prevent allergic reactions from happening too.
1. Avoid the Allergen
Consult with your physician and find out whether allergies or nasal congestion is causing your symptoms. If you are having an allergic reaction during pregnancy, then you can try the following tips to avoid certain allergen.
- For pollen allergy: Stay indoors where the air is conditioned and filtered. Wear wraparound sunglasses when going outdoors to keep your eyes safe from pollen. Thoroughly wash your face and hands when coming indoors.
- For dust allergy: Ask someone else to clean for you. To avoid dust, ask your helpers to use wet mop or a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.
- For food allergies: Refrain from eating foods you are allergic to. Check the labels of food items carefully to ensure they do not contain ingredients you are allergic to.
- For pet allergies: Ask your pet-owning friends to make arrangements before you go to their homes. If you become allergic to your own pet, then try to keep your room pet-free.
- Other tips. Avoiding smokers can keep you safe from allergies and secondhand smoke, which is bad for both you and your baby. And you should stay away from household chemicals. For example, paint thinners can trigger allergic reaction.
2. Relieve Allergic Symptoms
Minor lifestyle changes can help you in avoiding the use of allergy medicine while pregnant and also keep your symptoms under check.
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Can I Take Cough Syrup While Pregnant
For a hacking cough, MacQuarrie says that syrups containing dextromethorphan can be taken as directed on the package if needed. Our general advice is the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time, she says. But she suggests first trying a lot of honey and water to suppress the cough reflex, which has been shown to be surprisingly effective.
Immunotherapy And Influenza Vaccine
Allergen immunotherapy is often effective for those patients in whom symptoms persist despite optimal environmental control and proper drug therapy. Allergen immunotherapy can be carefully continued during pregnancy in patients who are benefiting and not experiencing adverse reactions. Due to the greater risk of anaphylaxis with increasing doses of immunotherapy and a delay of several months before it becomes effective, it is generally recommended that this therapy not be started during pregnancy.
Patients receiving immunotherapy during pregnancy should be carefully evaluated. It may be appropriate to lower the dosage in order to further reduce the chance of an allergic reaction to the injections.
Influenza vaccine is recommended for all patients with moderate and severe asthma. There is no evidence of associated risk to the mother or fetus.
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Allergy Medications To Avoid During Pregnancy
- Pseudoephedrine : While some studies found that pseudoephedrine is safe in pregnancy, there have been reports of an increase in abdominal wall defects in the babies of mothers who used the medication during pregnancy, according to the ACAAI.
- Phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine: These decongestants are considered less desirable than taking pseudoephedrine, according to the ACAAI.
What Is Allergy Medicine Safe To Take While Pregnant
There are no allergy medications that are entirely safe to take during pregnancy. Oral antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine and cetirizine, are among the most frequent and effective allergy treatments during pregnancy, with no known side effects. Avoid using allergy medications throughout your first trimester, as this is when the baby is developing at its most critical stage. However, before using, always visit your doctor. Here are some things to keep in mind when taking allergy medications:
Over-the-Counter Antihistamines
As long as you follow the guidelines, these allergy medications are safe to take during pregnancy. Loratadine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine are some OTC allergy medications that can be used during pregnancy.
When Antihistamines and Decongestants are Used Together
Antihistamine nasal spray and other decongestants coupled with antihistamines should be avoided because there isnt enough data to support their safety.
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The Risks Of Allergy Medicine While Nursing
The risks associated with allergy medicine come from the fact that there are not many scientific studies on pregnant and nursing people. This is because of the risk to the baby. Because of this, there often isnt enough information to say whether a drug is completely safe and would not have any side effects.
Can I Prevent Allergies
While people with allergies cannot prevent the condition, they can try to avoid or reduce exposure to allergens or triggers. Pollen is a common allergen in Australia, and can be hard to avoid, but to minimise your exposure you could try to:
- stay indoors where possible during pollen season, on windy days, or after thunderstorms
- avoid activities that expose you to pollen, such as mowing grass
- shower as soon as you can after youve been exposed to pollen
- switch your car air-conditioning setting to use re-circulated air when pollen levels are high
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Avoid Allergy Medication By Using Non
There are several things that you can do to deal with allergy and runny nose symptoms. Saline or saltwater nasal sprays are one of the most effective treatments for rhinitis in either a pregnant or non-pregnant patient.
All pregnant patients should talk with their doctor about appropriate amounts of exercise, but physical activity leads to constriction of blood vessels in the nose and decreased nasal symptoms. Adhesive strips that cause a mechanical dilatation and raising the head of the bed at night has also been associated with decreased allergy with asthma and pregnancy.
Can I Take Mucinex Dm While Pregnant
Mucinex is likely safe to take while breastfeeding and during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Before taking any medication while pregnant or breastfeeding, its a good idea to talk to your doctor first. You may want to review this article with your doctor and ask any questions you have.
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Avoid Certain Allergy Medications
Use of oral decongestants is associated with increased risk of birth defects. Some oral antihistamines, like Allegra , Benadryl , Chlor-Trimeton , Claritin , and Zyrtec appear to be safe after the first trimester, safe meaning they have caused no known harm in studies that have been done. Avoid antihistamines combined with a decongestant.
Nasal sprays, as prescribed or recommended by a doctor, are applied only in the nose. That means their effects do not go throughout the body like oral medications. However, avoid nasal spray decongestants. There is not enough evidence to indicate whether or not they are safe.
Dont start allergy shots during pregnancy. If women are already taking them when they become pregnant, they can continue.
The reality is, not taking any allergy medication is the best option. But for women whose allergy symptoms are leaving them sleepless and unable to function, taking medication with a doctors approval may be better for both them and the baby. Its important for women with allergic asthma to use their prescribed medication. Uncontrolled asthma can cause serious problems during pregnancy.
What Allergy Medicines Can You Take While Pregnant
What allergy medicines can you take while pregnant
- Are allergy medicines safe to take while Im pregnant or breastfe?
- http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/allergies-key-qampa.html
- Pregnant women should always consult their doctor before using any type of allergy medication. While some allergy drugs are considered safe, others may pose a risk to the fetus. If you are trying to have a baby, you should talk to your doct
- What are acceptable allergy/cold medicines to take while pregnant?
- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080607193222AAIQuhe
- You should really ask your doctor this question for the most accurate information. Dont rely on web sites when it comes to taking medication while pregnant. You will find contradicting advice and some web sites that have wrong information
- Can I take any type of allergy medicine while pregnant??
- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090711073711AAtoh6Y
- For the time being, you can safely take Benadryl, which will help somewhat with the itching and things. But for a more long term solution your doctor will have to decide if they want to put you on Claritin or Zyrtec or something similar. Th
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