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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Antihistamines whilst pg

38 replies

K8eee · 05/06/2015 19:38

I know most are out the equation, but is there anything I can use to stop the pollen playing havoc with me :( spent ages cutting the grass today, and my god I'm suffering. Have even had a shower to get rid of the pollen out of my hair but I can't stop sneezing and my eyes and nose are streaming

OP posts:
BatteryPoweredHen · 05/06/2015 19:42

Just don't cut the grass!

Seriously, why would you put yourself through that? Either

A) let it grow
B) get someone else to do it

sizethree · 05/06/2015 19:54

How many weeks are you?
I was so cautious in the first trimester although my doctor did say there's certain ones that are deemed safe. (Although I'm sirry I can't remember! - ask your pharmacist as I lresume taking a children's dosage would be safe and have some effect.)
I've still managed to avoid taking them so far and have been using this little pot of Vaseline type stuff that you rub under your nostrils which catches the five particles. Ma friend gave me it as a gift but pretty sure you can buy it in boots. That and eye drops have helped.

willbillycome · 05/06/2015 20:22

Yes to the little pot, think it was called hay max?

I also tried some odd foam nose spray, which stopped hayfever symptoms but gave me a horrendously sore head

BatteryPoweredHen · 05/06/2015 20:43

No, they're really not safe at all, not at any stage.

I know how miserable it is, but it's only going to be a matter of a few weeks out of your life.

My consultant has advised staying indoors as much as possible, wearing sunglasses and if really necessary, a dust mask thingy.

This too shall pass...

StampyShortnose · 05/06/2015 20:46

I was prescribed an antihistamine by my consultant whilst pregnant. I cant remember which one and it wasn't for hayfever but I guess that means there is at least one that is safe for pg women?

Original poster
K8eee · 05/06/2015 20:47

It was getting pretty long and do works pretty much every day. He rarely gets a day off. Got to admit, it wasn't fun, I was sweating like a pig and have felt crap all day now. I think finally it's calming down.

Hay max, is that the new product that's being advertised on TV? I did see something earlier that you can use whilst of and bf.

OP posts:
BadgerFace · 05/06/2015 20:50

You can use Prevalin which coats the hairs in your nose to protect them. I've been using it for a dust mites allergy and it seems to be making a difference. You can buy it in Boots.

The little pot is called Hay Max. It says it catches the pollen under your nose.

misssmilla1 · 06/06/2015 01:39

No, they're really not safe at all, not at any stage.

That's not true; you can take loratadine (found in Clarityn and Boots own brand) and the other type of anti-histamine which is found in Benadryl without issue. I checked with two Drs and they both said the same thing.

However, you do need to avoid decongestant antihistamines

Anotheronesoon · 06/06/2015 01:55

You can definately take some - I was prescribed piriton daily for my itchiness in pregnancy by a specialist and another non drowsy one. My son turned out more than fine!

Original poster
K8eee · 06/06/2015 07:13

Ah that's given me some hope!!!! I'm off out this morning to get something, I can't stand the itchy throat, eyes and ears anymore Sad

OP posts:
LostMySocks · 06/06/2015 09:15

You may need to go to a gp as pharmacists tend to refuse to give you anything. My gp has a big book which says which can be taken in pregnancy

dementedpixie · 06/06/2015 09:22

www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/935.aspx?categoryid=54 nhs says loratidine and cetirizine are ok

Pleasenotagain · 06/06/2015 09:23

k8eee watching with interest as I'm suffering too! Let us know if you can get anything from pharmacist as I'll be heading to Boots later!

newtonupontheheath · 06/06/2015 09:26

Pharmacist wouldn't give me any but GP gave piriton. I had an extreme allergic reaction so was given steroids too. I think with hay fever I would just plod on tbh (and I do get it bad some years)

dementedpixie · 06/06/2015 10:15

You can buy loratidine/cetirizine from the supermarket

rallytog1 · 06/06/2015 10:16

I was prescribed piriton while pg too.

balletgirlmum · 06/06/2015 10:20

My dr said the effects of hay fever were potentially much more serious than any effects on the baby in pregnancy. (Hay fever sets off my asthma)

He did take me off flixonase & put me on beconase though.

BatteryPoweredHen · 06/06/2015 10:54

Ok, post a link to a single study that proves any antihistamine is safe in pregnancy. A proper, placebo controlled ,longitudinal one carried out on pregnant women. (Hint: they don't exist)

There is a big difference between 'not thought to be harmful' and 'safe' I'm constantly baffled by how many people muddle these two ideas up.

It's your pregnancy at the end of the day, and up to you, but there is no way I would take this kind of risk.

misssmilla1 · 06/06/2015 12:36

*Ok, post a link to a single study that proves any antihistamine is safe in pregnancy. A proper, placebo controlled ,longitudinal one carried out on pregnant women. (Hint: they don't exist)

There is a big difference between 'not thought to be harmful' and 'safe' I'm constantly baffled by how many people muddle these two ideas up.

It's your pregnancy at the end of the day, and up to you, but there is no way I would take this kind of risk.*

Do you think you could dial down the judging tone of your post? Whilst I get your point, you could apply the same logic to a lot of the advice given in pregnancy, i.e. painkiller use, what foods to avoid etc, and have to temper this with reality.

Am I biased? Yeah- I had terrible hay fever for 4 weeks this year and no amount of humidifier, air filters, air con, manically washing the duvet etc worked on it. As a result, I was getting 3 hours sleep a night, was exhausted as a result and feeling like shit, which is also no good for the baby, and my Dr said as much.

I consulted two Drs and did my own research about which anti-histamines to take and I would have done the same if it was a similar situation which required pain relief.

Sometimes there is no option, and I don't believe that anything can ever be categorically proven as safe, pregnancy or not.

OP, if you're still struggling, I'd recommend ringing your GP or going to a walk in clinic on Monday to ask them.

mousmous · 06/06/2015 12:39

loratidine and ceterizine are both considered safe in pregnancies. nasal steroids (after dr advice) can also be taken.

wowiesis111 · 06/06/2015 12:44

I've got allergies / eczema and hay fever and under the care of the dermatologist was told piriton ( the older antihistamines ) are fine in pregnancy. I've used those and also a nose spray that you can get over the counter at boots or somewhere that's safe in pregnancy.
Obviously best speaking to your dr but thought I'd share. Also Vaseline up your nose and big wrap around sunglasses help stop the pollen getting in.

SlinkyB · 06/06/2015 12:47

I took loratadine/ceterizine (cheapest place is Asda) throughout both my pregnancies, in 2011 and 2013 as was told by my GP they were ok. I have perennial allergic rhinitis and was literally sneezing all day everyday when I tried to go without, and was exhausted. Both kids are ok.

I'd consult your GP op.

P.s battery I also took various anti-sickness meds for extreme hypermesis. Shoot me.

rallytog1 · 06/06/2015 14:36

In the same vein Battery, perhaps you could post a link to a similarly watertight study proving your assertion that antihistamines are "really not safe".

balletgirlmum · 06/06/2015 14:44

There will be no study because they don't test drugs unnecesarily on pregnant women.

mousmous · 06/06/2015 14:55

there will be no study but lots of data suggesting it's quite safe

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