Many people take the term “allergy” lightly, believing that this is not a disease, but only symptoms of a mild ailment in the form of a runny nose or rash, which need not be treated. As a rule, only those who do not suffer from allergic reactions and do not experience seasonal complications adhere to this opinion. In fact, this is a disease, and it can cause serious harm to human health, so you definitely need to know what to do with allergies and have the necessary antihistamines. During pregnancy, allergens can cause special harm to a woman’s body and her fetus. The baby, being in the womb, receives irritants through the placenta and umbilical cord, and this provokes an increased negative reaction to food, household chemicals or other allergens after birth. As practice shows, in women suffering from a long time rashes, rhinitis or bronchial asthma, during pregnancy, the symptoms of the disease weaken or disappear. Doctors explain this oddity by the fact that the body during this period is able to produce cortisol, which reduces the activity of allergens.
Types of Allergies
Allergies can be of several types, differing in causes and symptoms:
- A rapidly developing disease in which false croup, hay fever or anaphylactic shock can occur as soon as possible. If the first signs are detected , antihistamines should be used. During pregnancy, this type is especially dangerous.
- Drug allergy, manifested in the form of a runny nose or rashes.
- Irritation from the bites of mosquitoes, wasps, bees and other insects in the form of edema, blisters or redness of the skin.
- Dermatitis due to skin contact with certain types of tissue, metal elements of clothing or accessories. In this case, an ointment against allergies and oral medications will help.
Urticaria in pregnant women
Urticaria is the most common manifestation of allergic reactions in pregnant women, starting in the form of small rashes on certain parts of the body. It can be provoked by food or household irritants that a woman has to face in the process of life. In order for the child not to be injured, or the damage was minimal, at the first sign it is necessary to consult an allergist. It is strictly forbidden to take antihistamines during pregnancy without the appointment of a qualified doctor, since most drugs will do even more harm than the effects of urticaria. Modern methods of treating pregnant women are mainly aimed at eliminating contacts with disease catalysts. To do this, an allergen is detected by a test method, and it is recommended that a pregnant woman not eat the identified products or contact with the detected catalysts.
Pregnancy Allergy Prevention Methods
It is safer to prevent an allergy than to start treatment and take antihistamines during pregnancy, with a risk to the health of the child. In order to prevent the disease, the most dangerous foods should be excluded from consumption, including limiting oily fish, nuts and products containing them, caviar, honey, chicken eggs, milk, some fruits, coffee, chocolate. Do not contact animals and birds, as often as possible do wet cleaning and ventilate the apartment.
Allergy drugs for pregnant women
New generation drugs have a positive effect in the fight against unwanted symptoms, but do not harm the child. Such drugs include Loratadin, Astemizol and Fexofenadine. Doctors recommend one of the above drugs during pregnancy and categorically prohibit drugs such as Diphenhydramine and Betadrin, after which pathologies in the development of the fetus are possible.
If you follow a diet and safety measures, you and your unborn baby will be protected from allergies and its consequences.