Random question - Allergies

[Kayano]

Can your allergies get worse in pregnancy? I'm mildly allergic to cats but it is VERY mild and I have 2. Bless them

It's only usually a sniffly nose after hours of one sitting on me non stop but I have a very poorly cat ATM but everytime I touch her My eyes itch, I sneeze loads and can't breathe out of my nose. I know it's the cats but was wondering if this extra reaction is due to being pg?

Also... As I can't breathe great, a antihistamine would be great- does anyone know which ones are ok to take pg? I have no reaction to these when not pg

I don't know about allergies, though I suppose it could happen as your immune system is repressed to allow your body to accept the baby. No advice on antihistamines but sure someone will be along soon who knows!

I do know that since day one I've had a blocked sniffly nose which has made breathing, especially at night, great fun.

Thats what made me ask tonight! Breathing bad at night is awful! Lol

You can take chlorphenamine, 4mg 3 times a day - free on prescription too :D I'm taking it for hayfever, so a word of warning - don't be tempted to only take it when you feel you need to, take it morning noon and night or it'll be pointless! Loratadine's considered a no, some GPs will prescribe cetirizine once daily, but mine's not keen and prefers chlorphenamine as there's more data available on it's effects on pregnancy.

Meant to add - pregnancy increases your blood volume, so your blood vessels have more blood circulating through them, which makes them swell. The vessels in your nose area are tiny and close to the surface, so the increase in blood volume is often more noticeable here, usually by making you more snuffly, feeling like your nose is blocked, snoring (!), and in some women nosebleeds. This is without allergies on top, so add on the normal nasal symptoms you get with an allergic reaction and it makes it seem much, much worse!

Your doc can also prescribe beconase nasal spray. That might help if it's mainly your nose that is bothering you.

My MW also said Beconase nasal spray is OK. It's horrible but it does work so long as you use it twice daily - and like featherbag mentioned don't be tempted to use it just once in a while, it needs to build up to work.

I get the impression allergies in pregnancy are a bit of a lottery - some find they get better, some worse, and others find no change to normal. Sorry it sounds like you've got bad luck!

If your cats are anything like mine though, they're worth it!

100% worth it :) They are lively little things x

Thank you for all the advice everyone.