Hay fever in pregnancy

Being pregnant is already hard enough, but sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose can demoralise even the most radiant mums-to-be. What can you do to treat hayfever while pregnant and still enjoy the sun?

When hay fever strikes usually you can dose up on antihistamines or steroid tablets for hay fever, but these are not recommended for pregnant women.

Many of the most effective hay fever remedies are unsuitable for pregnant women or have not been tested enough to prove their safety.
 
However, mums-to-be don’t have to sneeze their way through the summer.

There are safe hay fever remedies to sooth your hay fever while pregnant.

The best alternatives are symptom relieving non-drug treatments or drugs which only enter your blood stream in tiny amounts.

The NHS Choices website has full details of hay fever remedies, symptoms and resources and a useful A-Z Hayfever guide.

Safe hayfever remedies to use while pregnant:
Here are the safest hay fever remedies to use while pregnant, recommended by NHS Choice.

• Nasal sprays: Sprays containing antihistamines take two or three days of regular use to have an effect. These reduce the inflammation in your nose to unblock your sinuses. Only tiny amounts of the drug can get into your blood stream to pass to the baby and if you keep to the recommended dose these should not cause your baby any problems.
  
  Try: Rhinacrom (a nasal spray available over the counter).
  
• Antihistamines: Some anithistamines are safe to take while pregnant, but others aren’t. They stop your body from releasing the chemicals that cause the allergic reaction, preventing hay fever symptoms. Some people are allergic to antihistamine eye-drops, so you should ask your GP for advice before using antihistamine eye-drops or nasal sprays.
  
  Try: Loratidine (the most common antihistamine used to treat hay fever during pregnancy), Chlorphenamine (another antihistamine considered safe during pregnancy, but it can cause drowsiness) or Otrivine and Cromoglycate (over-the-counter eye and nasal preparations).
  
• Alternative remedies: there are also lots of alternative remedies available, but it is best to check with your doctor before using anything bought in health food or alternative therapy shops.
  
  Try: HayMax (applied under the nose, the oil and beeswax substance acts as a barrier to pollen getting you’re your body through your nose).

Hay fever remedies to avoid while pregnant:
It is not advisable to take the following medicines while pregnant, as they could affect your baby.

• Modern anti-histamines, such as Clarityn, have not yet been fully tested to make sure that they are safe for pregnant women and are best avoided.
  
• The antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole or older anti-histamines, like Piriton, because the medicine may pass into breast milk.
  
• Avoid decongestant medicines or nasal decongestants, unless your GP prescribes them for you.

How to avoid hay fever symptoms while pregnant
The best remedy for hay fever while pregnant is to avoid the symptoms. Keep that runny nose at bay by following these tips to reduce your symptoms:

• Stay away from long grass and other areas with lots of pollen, especially in the afternoon or evening when pollen count is highest.
  
• Check the daily pollen count.
  
• Wear large sunglasses to stop pollen reaching your eyes – a great excuse to invest in some Audrey Hepburn-style shades!
  
• Keep your windows closed and avoid putting washing out when the pollen count is high.
  
• Go on a cleaning spree: keeping your house dust-free will help to remove allergens.
  
• Shower after going out when the pollen count is high.