During pregnancy, a woman's body is subjected to severe stress. Urticaria can occur in many adults and children, and pregnant women are no exception. When characteristic rashes appear on the woman’s body, she is worried about the possible negative effect on the body of the unborn child. What is the risk of urticaria during pregnancy?
Urticaria, what is it?
Urticaria is a reaction of the body to the influence of a specific allergen. It manifests itself in the form of rashes, similar to a nettle burn . During pregnancy, it can be caused by hormonal changes that appear on the skin. It is dangerous for the occurrence of Quincke's edema, which negatively affects the body of the pregnant woman and her child. It can affect the throat and nasopharynx, which can cause suffocation and lack of air.
What causes hives?
Why does urticaria appear during pregnancy? The causes of a rash on the body can be many factors:
- taking medications that have an effect on hormones;
- the use of cosmetics that triggered the appearance of a rash on the body;
- eating foods that could cause such an organism reaction;
- Hives could provoke: plant pollen, animal hair and other allergens;
- the culprits may be chronic diseases that could worsen during pregnancy.
The main factor, many experts consider a change in the body of a woman's hormonal background, which is associated with the production of a large number of estrogens. In this case, the occurrence of gestosis is possible, and urticaria is one of the manifestations of the disease.
Hot weather can provoke rashes, because there is increased sweating and, as a result, a rash.
Specific reasons, in addition to changes in the hormonal background, include a weakening of the immunity of a pregnant woman. Urticaria usually appears in the early stages of pregnancy, but its occurrence in later periods is not ruled out. It is not necessary that her symptoms remain after the birth of the baby, but for this, proper treatment is necessary.
Symptoms of urticaria during pregnancy
The main signs of the disease are considered occurrence: red spots, blisters and severe itching. In this case, swelling and pain with pressure may appear.
Symptoms of urticaria are presented in the form of rashes, which are located throughout the body in a chaotic order. The rash may be small or merge into large blisters. Hives spread during pregnancy to the stomach and other parts of the body. The color of the rash can vary from pale pink to red. The appearance of changes in the lips, tongue is a sign of the development of Quincke's edema. The temperature may remain normal or increase with the development of the inflammatory process.
The main symptoms of the disease:
- general weakness;
- headache;
- insomnia;
- irritability.
This condition is unnerving to the expectant mother and is reflected in her well-being.
Hives during pregnancy: effects on the fetus
The disease is especially dangerous for the baby in the early months of pregnancy, because during this period all of its organs and systems are formed. The placenta protecting the fetus is still in its infancy.
If urticaria occurs in a pregnant woman at a later date, her symptoms will not have a particular effect on the development of the unborn child. During this period, the formed placenta will not let antigens pass through. However, the worsened condition of a woman, her irritability may not affect the child in the best way.
In many cases, a predisposition to allergic reactions is caused by heredity. Therefore, if a mother suffers an allergy, then she can also be inherited by a child.
Diagnosis of the disease
What to do if urticaria occurs during pregnancy? First of all, when symptoms of the disease appear, a woman needs to seek help from a specialist. Using the necessary tests and tests, the doctor will be able to establish an allergen, which must be removed during pregnancy.
The influence of disease factors on the fetus may depend on the state of health of the woman. After a full examination, the specialist will be able to prescribe an individual treatment for the mother, given the negative impact of the disease on the fetus.
Features of the treatment of the disease
How to treat urticaria during pregnancy? The main task in this case: to provide safe assistance to both mother and baby. Medicines prescribed for the treatment of urticaria should be completely safe.
Prescribe drugs that contain only natural ingredients. In the treatment of allergic rhinitis, drops are used that contain sea salt and plant substances (Aquamaris, Marimer, Pinosol, etc.).
To get rid of itching and rashes, a pregnant woman is prescribed special ointments. The main remedy in this case is zinc ointment. It promotes the healing of wounds and inflammations on the skin. Before use, a small area of the skin is treated in order to avoid negative consequences.
The main method in the treatment of urticaria is to stop contact with the allergen. To improve the condition, a pregnant woman can take sorbents that will help cleanse the body (Lactofiltrum, Enterosgel, etc.). They are effective and completely safe.
Many antihistamines can be dangerous to the health of a pregnant woman and a child, so only a doctor prescribes them, taking into account the characteristics of her body.
Natural remedies for the treatment of urticaria
How to reduce the manifestation of urticaria during pregnancy? In the treatment of allergies, antihistamines can provide effective help, but women in this position can be dangerous.
Thanks to natural substances, the symptoms of the disease can be reduced:
- Taking vitamin C can reduce bronchospasm and rhinitis, which is typical when allergies occur. You need to use 1-3 grams per day, sometimes to achieve the effect, the dose is increased to 3-4 grams.
- Fish oil helps reduce the appearance of rashes, redness of the eyes and lacrimation. When using it, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body.
- Taking vitamin B12 can reduce the symptoms of dermatitis and allergic asthma. It is taken for a month at 500 micrograms.
- Olive oil contains oleic acid, which is a natural anti-allergic agent. Oil is recommended for cooking, especially for pregnant women.
Using natural substances to treat urticaria, you can quickly reduce its manifestations without compromising the health of the woman and her child.
Preventative measures
With a predisposition to allergies, pregnant women must abide by the following rules:
- if an irritant is known, then try not to contact with it;
- a pregnant woman should use special cosmetics and hygiene products;
- you can not eat citrus fruits and chocolate daily, it is better to include them in food periodically;
- minimize contact with household chemicals;
- during pregnancy, restrict communication with pets;
- wet cleaning should be carried out constantly and the room should be aired;
- self-medication is not recommended for a pregnant woman; consult a doctor if symptoms of the disease occur.
Applying preventive measures can, if not prevent, but at least reduce the risk of urticaria.
Diet in the treatment of the disease
How to reduce urticaria symptoms during pregnancy? For this, a woman must eat right. All food should be rich in vitamins and taste good. A woman should not force herself to eat those dishes that she does not like. They will not be absorbed in the body and will not benefit the unborn baby. The diet should be composed as follows:
- it is better to eat food every 2-3 hours, as a result 5-6 receptions a day will turn out;
- any meal should include the same amount of calories;
- sweets (jam, honey and ice cream) are not recommended;
- no need to use cream and cottage cheese, more than 2% fat;
- the first dishes are best cooked in vegetable broth, without the use of meat;
- as a dessert you can eat: fruits, marshmallows and marmalade;
- to maintain liver health, oatmeal and soy can be included in the diet;
- together with ordinary tea you can drink herbal, but before that you need to get a doctor's consultation;
- completely exclude coffee from the diet.
The following products should be present in the diet of a pregnant woman every day:
- pear and apple, which contain a lot of vitamins;
- green tea, which will help remove all harmful substances from the body;
- buckwheat and oatmeal, because they contain fiber;
- dill and parsley will help to fortify the consumed dishes.
A pregnant woman must observe a drinking regimen. The amount of fluid per day should be at least 1.5 liters. This includes herbal and green teas, water without gas.
The risk of urticaria during pregnancy can be reduced if you eat right and exclude the effect of irritants on the woman's body.