Allergies in pregnant women

Statistics argue that allergy in pregnant women is diagnosed quite often - almost every fourth woman who expects a baby suffers from one or another form of allergy. Symptoms of an allergic reaction in pregnant women differ little from allergy symptoms in other people, but in future mothers the disease is more complicated.

Allergy is most often not a direct contraindication to conception and the process of bearing a fetus, despite the risk of transmitting an allergic reaction by inheritance. Nevertheless, there are a number of complexities and threats that must be taken into account by both the future mother and her treating doctor.

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Why does the allergy develop in pregnant women?

It should be noted that the risk group mainly includes those women who already had a predisposition to allergy before the moment of conception, the other pregnant women most often suffer from a false allergy, that is, either intolerance to a product, or the so-called allergy to the very fact of pregnancy.

Any allergen, which is a provoker of an aggressive response of the immune system, can cause allergy in a future mother. This is the pollen of plants and household dust, wool or dandruff of domestic animals, in short, the entire standard list of allergens. Also, the body of a pregnant woman is extremely susceptible to various food provocateurs. Given the taste "whims" and the possible uncontrolled use of the desired product, we can say with confidence that the food allergy is provoked not so much by the product itself as by its quantity. There is also a version of the effect of hormonal changes on the sensitivity of the organism to allergens. Thus, the very fact of pregnancy becomes, as it were, a provoking factor for the onset of an allergic reaction. This theory has not yet been confirmed by a statistically international allergological community, but it is also not denied by allergists.

How does allergy manifest in pregnant women?

Clinical manifestations of allergy of pregnant women are almost identical to the symptoms of a classic allergic reaction. However, it is noticed that most often future mothers suffer from rhinitis, which is also called vasomotor rhinitis of pregnant women. This symptom is associated with hormonal changes in the body of a woman, which are most clearly manifested in the second trimester. The second on the list of allergic signs is dermatitis or urticaria. Severe itching certainly complicates the condition of the expectant mother, but is not such a threatening symptom as bronchial asthma, which can also develop during pregnancy. Asthma often does not debut during the period of gestation, it can recur, started long before conception. According to gynecologists, bronchial asthma during pregnancy, if manifested, is much easier and less frequent than before. This is due to the fact that the body significantly increases the level of cortisol, which can "slow down" allergic reactions. As with allergy sufferers, the most dangerous allergic manifestations are generalized urticaria, Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Of course, these menacing manifestations of allergies can not develop if a pregnant woman is attentive to the slightest changes and reactions to various stimuli. Most often, both Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock can be prevented in the early stages of development.

What is the risk of an allergy in pregnant women?

If a pregnant woman is still subjected to an allergy attack, this is usually not affected by intrauterine fetal development, since the baby is reliably protected by the maternal placenta. Affect the condition of the fetus can only two major factors that need to be considered: 

1. Constant dyspnea, difficulty breathing and, especially, asthma attacks in the mother can say on the fetus (hypoxia).
2. Drug antiallergic therapy, prescribed for vital signs, can affect uteroplacental blood flow and cause some intrauterine malformations.

Allergy in pregnant women in itself is not a serious pathology that threatens the baby, since the maternal immunocomplexes that respond to the antigen invasion are unable to penetrate the placenta. Nevertheless, even a small fraction of the risk requires preventive measures, which include the following recommendations.

How is allergy treated in pregnant women?

If the future mother will be cautious enough, then the use of medicines can be minimized, because many antihistamines are strictly contraindicated in pregnancy. It is strictly forbidden to take diphenhydramine and all the medicines in which it is included. Diphenhydramine can increase the tone of the uterus and provoke a miscarriage. There are drugs that can affect the fetal development of the fetus, so the appointment of antihistamines is the prerogative of a doctor and any medication is indicated only if the result of treatment is more valuable than risk, that is, strictly life-long indications. When skin manifestations of allergies - itching, redness, rashes are allowed local antihistamines (ointments, gels, sprays), but they also need to prescribe the doctor. Tips of girlfriends, recommendations of relatives, in a word, any self-treatment during pregnancy is unacceptable.

Allergy in pregnant women, provided that the allergen is detected, is treated with the help of elimination of the provoking substance. If it is household dust, then sometimes enough to remove all carpets, soft toys, to conduct general cleaning, to ventilate the premises and ensure proper humidity, so that allergy symptoms simply disappear. Animals, pollen of plants, other allergens - contact with them is desirable, either to exclude for the entire period of pregnancy, or to minimize. Also shown is a hypoallergenic diet, which in principle should become fundamental even in the absence of signs of allergy. If, however, the allergy in pregnant women develops and requires medical treatment, antihistamines of the last generation are usually prescribed, which have minimal side effects both on the mother's body and on the fetus.

How to prevent allergy during pregnancy?

Hypoallergenic diet and reasonable portions of desired, preferred products. It has long been known that the digestive tract of a future mother is the main source of allergy, especially at 20-22 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetal immune system is already well formed. Any product to which the pregnant woman "pulls" should be consumed in small portions so as not to provoke a food allergy in a woman and a possible aggressive response of the baby's immunity in the future. In addition, all allergy-provoking dishes should be excluded from the menu. 

If possible, eliminate all the provoking factors in the room - carpeting, woolen blankets and blankets, in short, everything where dust allergens can accumulate. The same applies to pets and flowering houseplants. If they can not be removed, contact with them should be minimized, at least for the period of pregnancy. 

Regular ventilation, wet cleaning and adherence to basic hygiene, but without the use of aggressive chemicals. Helps to significantly reduce the risk of allergies caused by household dust. 

It is necessary to consult with the attending physician and start taking vitamins that help to reduce allergic reactions. Such means include vitamins A, B, C. 

Ascorbic acid, as a rule, take 1-3 grams per day - this helps to strengthen immunity and prevent the occurrence of vasomotor rhinitis. Dosage should be agreed with the doctor. 

Vitamins of group B, especially B12, are original natural, natural antihistamines. Cyanocobolamine significantly reduces the manifestations of skin allergic reactions, helps to prevent attacks of bronchial asthma. The dose of administration corresponds to 500 mg per day, the course is from 3 to 4 weeks. The use of B vitamins should also be coordinated with a gynecologist. 

Taking zinc aspartate will help reduce the risk of allergy to odors, more specifically to household chemistry or cosmetics. Zinc should be taken only in complex compounds, so as not to provoke an imbalance of other important trace elements - copper, iron. 

All products containing fish oil, or linoleic acid can prevent allergic rhinitis and itching. 

Oleic acid will help to neutralize the excessive release of histamine, and it is contained in purified, high-quality olive oil. 

Well reduces the manifestations of vasomotor rhinitis taking pantothenic acid. Admission 100 milligrams before bedtime on the second day gives a positive result.

An allergy in pregnant women may not be manifested if future mothers give up harmful habits, observe such simple and familiar principles of a healthy lifestyle and adjust to positive changes in their lives.