Hayfever

[Cacaca]

Can anyone recommend any safe hayfever remedies? I’m only 14 weeks but don’t think I can cope with a whole summer of not being able to take anything!

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-i-take-hay-fever-medicine-during-pregnancy/

Just to update this. I spoke to a pharmacist who advised that they were very reluctant to sell me anything due to my pregnancy. She explained that the biggest risk with antihistamines is within the first trimester but due to manufacturers restrictions they would advise you to speak with a doctor regardless of length of pregnancy.

I guess I started this thread to see if anybody had any success getting anything prescribed or could advise any way to limit the suffering - it’s going to be a long summer...

Eating local honey is the only thing I know works. I force it down DH everyday otherwise he’d be on a lot more meds.

You don't need it prescribed though, it is freely available off the shelf in the supermarkets, discount stores, etc

Yes but it’s not regarded as safe in pregnancy. If it was I’d be quite happily buying it off the shelf without any concern. I’d rather not take the risk, especially when a qualified pharmacist is reluctant to sell.

NHS site says they are ok in pregnancy though.

And they are reluctant to sell it to you due to manufacturers licence restrictions rather than it being dangerous. Have you asked your gp for advice as they could maybe prescribe something for you as tablets are not the only options

Antihistamine tablets can help relieve itchy eyes, a runny nose and sneezing, but not all types are suitable to take during pregnancy so always check with your GP beforehand. Pharmacists are unlikely to sell antihistamines over the counter for use in pregnancy, because of manufacturers' restrictions.

Copied from the NHS site, not all are safe - hence wanting medical advise before buying. It does not specifically state what it safe. As I said before, I’d rather take the advise of a medical professional.

I simply started this thread looking for experiences of others and maybe alternative remedies.

It does state which are safe:

loratadine – this is usually the first choice for pregnant women because of the amount of safety data available for it

cetirizine– if loratadine isn't suitable or doesn't work for you, your GP may recommend cetirizine, another antihistamine tablet that doesn't cause drowsiness

Chlorphenamine is also considered one of the safer antihistamines to take during pregnancy, but because it can cause drowsiness, loratadine and cetirizine are usually the preferred options.

I thought I would try the pharmacy first as I had an unrelated prescription to collect and you are so often advised to check with a pharmacist first before getting a drs appointment - which can take weeks. I now will have to go down the dr route.

Go to your gp then and see if they can prescribe something even if the pharmacist can't sell it to you directly due to licensing restrictions

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Hay-fever/ this suggests vaseline in the nostrils and saline solution

You can also use eye drops and nasal sprays so long as they are not the decongestant type.

If you have particularly severe hay fever that otc medication does not help, you can speak to your gp about trying prescription only ones. There is a lack of research on their effects (because testing on pregnant women is ethically dubious) but the BUMPS website has a thorough breakdown of the evidence for each drug.

I took my usual fexofenadine during my 2nd and 3rd trimesters, having discussed the risks with my gp and deciding that they were outweighed by the certainty of 3 months being unable to breathe or see.

There's a lot you can do without medication but do speak to your gp for prescriptions. I have awful hayfever that even medication can struggle to control. PP have mentioned local honey and vaseline (a tiny bit just inside your nose) really do work. Also, have a shower (wash your hair) and change your clothes when you get in so you aren't carrying the pollen around with you.

I get hideous hay fever some years, not-so-bad hay fever other years. Prevalin nasal spray was amazing for me last year. It is safe in pregnancy.

GP wouldnt let me take cetrizine when I was 4 weeks pregnant, Im hoping theyll ok it in second trimester, or im in for a miserable summer.