Done before but... hayfever in pg?

[buttonmoon78]

I know this is probably one which has been done several times each spring but I can't be bothered to check the archives

Although this is #4 the last time I was pg at this time of year was 1997

I think I'm right in saying I can't take any pills? But can I use a nasal spray?

I think I have a MW appt soon (I must have as I'm 24 weeks) so I'll ask her then but in the meantime, whilst I'm not suffering yet, I can smell the pollen in the air if you know what I mean?!

Oh please, if anyone knows something we can take, tell me! Was told by consultant that piriton was OK but pharmacist says it isn't and won't give it to me without a prescription. Ditto Beconase, Zirtek and anything that actually works! Do those electric nasal prong things do anything?

Another one here. I suffer incredibly badly with hayfever, it seems to get worse every year. I can't imagine being able to function at all without controlling the symptoms. I have used Flixonase nasal spray for the last few years, which has been an absolute lifesaver. I used to take Clarityn but find the nasal spray so effective, and it eases symptoms immediately. I have suffered so badly my face has swollen up and I have developed weals over my body after sitting in the grass

I'm sure the docs will say I should take the nasal spray as 'the effect on the mother will outweigh any possible effects on the unborn baby' but of course I'm terrified of doing anything to jeopardise the health of my pfb.

Hoping anyone with experience of using hayseed relief during pregnancy or MN docs are around to answer.

My googling says that pharmacists will need to see a prescription for hayfever meds you can usually buy over the counter if you're pg DrSeuss .

I def recommend Flixonase though. It's newer and more effective than Beconase, an I found it so much more effective than any tablets I've tried.

I'm 34+5 and have horrible hay fever. Saw my MW this week and she said Piriton was okay, then pharmacist said no. Called my stepdad (who's a GP) and he said steroid nasal spray (which is what the pharmacist said). This is only available on prescription, so you'll need to see your doc or at least get a phone consultation and go in to pick up the prescription.

I've been on mine for two days now and I haven't noticed a big difference yet, but apparently it can take several days for the spray to take effect and last night was better. It's just when I go outside that it's bad.

I used the electric prong things, infra red Drseuss it did work for me and I was really suffering.
Touch wood so far I haven't been affected this year, I have also heard piriton is fine, but you do need a prescription

Right. Thanks guys, to the gp I shall go. Having said I'm not yet affected, last night I was so stuffy that DH said I was snoring like the Manchester express!

Went to see my GP as I was suffering so badly my face had swollen up. Hayfever us absolute misery-especially at night. GP gave me a nasal spray and eye-drops with some tablets to rake IF the spray and drops don't work. So far all fine and i'm in the full flow of my allergy season (tree pollen).

Pharmacists will always say "no" to cover themselves - even told me I couldn't use vicks when I had a cold. See your GP.

Piriton is absolutely fine but only the one that makes you drowsy. I have loads if allergies and have been having immunotherapy for dog for over 4 years & I am under the care of an immunologist. I used to take fexofenadine twice daily before becoming pregnant but now just take piriton when I'm desperate which is regularly. Am now 33 weeks.

I suffer with Hayfever every year and since having DS No1 I have been unable to take traditional antihistamines due to awful side affects.

I stick to using a homeopathic remedy called "New Era", completely safe to use during pregnancy (I know this because I checked with pharmacist as am currently expecting child No.2). There are lots of homeopathic remedies in tablet and spray form. I found Boots Pharmacy the most helpful to consult for advice.

Also, try having a spoonful of LOCAL honey each day. I have found this to make a huge difference :-)

I suffer as well. my gp prescribed flixonase (to take half the recommended dose).
the pharmacist was a bit but handed it out after talking to the gp.
worked well and both my dc are very healthy.

Sterimar is great for alleviating the symptoms slightly and is definately safe for use in pg - my sympathies, I had awful hayfever whilst PG and got told there was nothing that was safe to take.

The nasal spray I've been using has made no difference at all, I'm sorry to say. It's fluticasone and I've used it religiously every morning since Thurs to no avail. Should I cave and take the piriton? I'm dying.

Also, I have three questions, if anyone knows the answers:

1. How long is the tree pollen season?
2. Are allergies often worse in pregnancy? I've had very mild hayfever for the past few years, having not had it at all before the age of 30. And now, suddenly, when I'm pregnant I'm really suffering with it!
3. Is it normal to lose your sense of smell and taste as a result of hayfever? This is day four of not having those two senses and I'm finding it hard to eat when I can't taste anything

Juneau it depends which particular tree pollen you're allergic to. Unless you're not fussy and allergic to them all! So, in order:

1. Generally it's over by the end of May.
2. IME yes.
3. IME yes. It's a bit grim, not tasting anything. Quite takes your appetite away, no?

Thanks buttonmoon. But end of May? Oh lord!

Sorry! If it helps, me too. Just been told by someone on the phone that I sound like death. Cheery.

Another one suffering here, my GP said she couldn't give me ANYTHING :S

I sneeze about 200 times a day in bursts of about 20. I know it'll go on like this til at least October and it never really goes away completely. This can't be good for baby??

Katie and all others.
if a gp or pharmacist tells you that there is nothing you can take they are lying.
go to the gp again and complain to the practice manager.

I luckily don't suffer from hayfever, but was just reading through my boots parenting club magazine and saw an advert for Prevalin allergy which is a new nasal spray apparently perfectly safe for pregnant women.

I hope this helps someone......

Just been to gp. Apparently both loratidine and cetirizine hydrochloride are perfectly not unsafe in pg. By which they mean there've been no studies to prove they are safe but there's plenty of evidence to show that they're not unsafe.

So I will be taking my loratidine with a clear conscience from now on.

Sorry, havent got round to reading all the above thread so sorry if I'm already saying something someone else has,....but I am wondering the same... I usually use Beconase nasal spray but my midwife didnt know if this was ok to use during pregnancy, and I havent gotten round to seeing GP or asking a pharmacist yet. Sneezing sometimes causes me right pains in the stomach too as I guess my tummy muscles are now parting...

My mum, however gave me a good tip...smear vaseline round your nostrils, it traps the pollen before it heads up nose. I dont get really bad hayfever, so this might not work for you poor ladies who really suffer badly, but it seems to be working so far for me... i just look a little greasy round the nostrils ;)

I do that, Icravecheese but my problem is that my nose is sort of the least of my worries! My hayfever makes my skin itch (all over) and the roof of my mouth itch. Oh and my ear canals itch.

So internal treatment is kind of the onyl option for me!

Hi buttonmoon, I'm jumping on your thread a bit late. I have perennial rhinitis. I took Nasonex spray ALL through my pregnancy. I took Loratidine from 16 to 26 weeks and I started using the breathe right strips which stick on your nose after that, and actually found them really useful (although unattractive, poor DH). Also I used Karvol drops as a decongestant (safe for babies too).
My baby was born with no visible problems!

Although I've just read you don't have a blocked nose but at least you've been given the loratidine. I'm now taking cetirizine while still breastfeeding. Seems to be OK.

Good luck. x

Sorry I am late to this thread, too. My hayfever only just kicked in and it reminded me to have a look. I have used something called HayMax for some years now and it's fantastic. I found it when i was pregnant and i've become a bit evangelical about it! You just rub it on your nose. it's drug free and organic so OK when pregnant and breast feeding etc but most important it works for me and my family. Doesn't just stop the sneezing and runny nose but stops our horrible itchy eyes too.
Hope this helps someone else as much as it's helped me.

OP it sounds like you're not suffering yet? Just to mention that for me pregnancy has cured my hayfever and I did a lot of unnecessary worrying about treating something that never appeared!

I was in early pregnancy last May, and late pregnancy last May (sadly mc'd the first).

Sorry to all those ladies who are suffering, you have my sympathy. But I though the OP might like a chink of hope!