Hayfever

[Lollypop]

Does anyone know of a safe remedy, my eyes & nose are driving me mad. I'm 13 weeks pg, the pharmacist said that the doctor would prescibe something but most drugs have not been tested on pg women. I usually have a nasel spray & eye drops which are topical but he din't think I should have them. Is he being too careful? I am trying to hold out and know the symptoms will go soon but its not that easy.

lollypop, I had terrible allergies during my first pregnancy (they're only just bad, this time around...i'm at 26 weeks). It is not unusual for allergies/asthma to be exacerbated by pregnancy. I took Allegra (similar to Clarityn) and my normal asthma inhaler and was assured that it was fine by both my ob-gyn and gp in the usa. However, if I remember correctly, the allergies started a little later than 13 weeks (maybe 15 or so). If you can hold out a week or two more, I'm sure it will be fine to take them in the second trimester. It's really the first trimester when the baby's bits are being formed that is super sensitive. I can't remember exactly when it is, but it's somewhere around 14 weeks that all the organs etc. are fully formed and after that there is much less danger to the baby. I can't imagine that nasal spray and eye drops used sparingly would be dangerous. I know how miserable allergies can be. I use a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a tissue to help get me through sometimes.

Just out of interest ....

My hayfever vanished entirely during both my pregnancies, but my sister's hayfever worsened dramatically during hers. I had two boys, she had girls. Is there a connection? I'm sure I heard somewhere that testosterone is an immuno-suppresent and wondered if the fact that I was carrying males had anything to do with it.

Sorry I can't offer a remedy to anyone suffering but it would be interesting to know if this could be a new gender detection system

lollypop i too have chronic hayfever,i usually use zirtec tabs and a nasal spray and eye drops.i have been using a new era homeopathic remedy from boots since i was about ten weeks and have now moved onto beconase nasal spray and opticrom eye drops which i was told by my consultant at the hospital were safe to use in pregnancy,my doc wouldnt give me them to start with but once the consultant said it was ok he gave me them or alternatively you can buy both over the counter.

My consultant told me it was ok to take piriton but why not try the NHS direct line and see what they say or ring your midwife.

Snugs - I had bad hayfever and a girl, so your theory is holding! Perhaps you have stumbled on a real discovery!

Well snugs, that would be interesting as mine definitely seems to have improved this summer (I'm 25 weeks pg)! I was dreading not being able to take Clarityn but touch wood it hasn't been too bad (apart from having to blow my nose about 12 times in the morning and not being able to wear my contact lenses for long periods). It was awful when I was pg with dd..so we'll see!

Lollypop, I would greatly recommend seeing a homeopath. Our toddler suffered terrible hayfever and homeopathy has worked wonderfully well.

Sorry Snugs, I had a boy first time around and really really bad hayfever, and this time I'm having a girl and only somewhat bad hayfever. I think it's more to do with the pollen count than the chromosome count....

Thanks for your comments, may SofiaAmes advice and wait until next week. Loobie I was specifically told not to use Opticron, I wish they'd get their act together. Pollen count high tomorow, I hope all you fellow sufferers will be OK.

I was pregnant last year and began to suffer from terrible hayfever when I was around 12 weeks.

My dr prescribed beconase, he also said that I could take piriton if I wish. I found that no pharmasist or midwife would recommend anything, they have to be over cautioys, I even went to my local NHS walk in centre and they also couldn't recommend anything, it has to be your dr.

My dr said that it could be just as bad for my baby if I was feeling terrible. I also suffer from asthma and took ventolin and becotide throughout, becotide has the same active ingredient as beconase.

Lollypop, another vote for topical medicines such as Beconase here, which I was prescribed during my first pregnancy (I normally wolf down Zirtek). Pharmacists in my opinion are complete fence sitters when it comes to over the counter remedies and pregnancy, despite the fact that they presumably just have to consult the same formulary as my GP did to find out about Beconase. Or maybe the ones in the City just can't be bothered, on the basis that no-one working in EC2 is supposed to have a family. That seems to be Boots' stocking policy in relation to all other parent and baby lines such as pregnancy vits, nappies, etc. The one time I did have the effrontery to ask a pharmacist advice about hay fever remedies in pregnancy, she looked at me as though I had asked for crack.

Marina, how are you, hope you are well. Have you had your nuchal scan yet - hope all was good.

don't have hayfever myself, but my aunt swears by eating a tablespoon of local honey daily - must be worth a try!

I'm not a mum - just a lowly dad! But I suffer from allergic rhinitis i.e. all year round hayfever. I was on Beconase for three and a half years and I eventually quit in favour of herbal remedies (however not suitable for pregnancy) and homeopathy (definitely suitable in pregnancy). So if the hayfever is making your life a misery get yourself along to a local homeopath. They will be able to give you treatments to desensitize your system thereby attenduating the severity of your allergy attacks. Does take a few months though but it really does work.

CAM, I was thinking the same. Marina, I hope all went well for you. XX

It's this afternoon, gals. I may have to be strapped down to stop me sneezing so much they can't keep the transducer still! Thanks for asking.

How did it go Marina? Hope all is well - let us know.

See brand-new thread, Cam. Thanks for asking. 99% of sensible people would say it went very well, but worryworts like me will usually find something to moan about. How is dd settling in at her new school?

Meanwhile Marina, I have already answered you on your new thread! Thank you for asking, dd is settling in extremely well and is her usual happy little self. Luckily she is a sociable little girl and likes to join in and get on with things! (Just like her Mummy?)