Hayfever relief for pregnant women !

[heron22]

Hi All

i suffer from hayfever really badly, itchy eyes, sneezing, the works

anything i can take that is not harmful for my baby?

thanks

Combination H tissue salts. Homeopathic. Or acuptuncture. Nothing else I'm afraid.

BTW you are more likely to suffer because of the extra fluidity in your mucous membranes. Sorry!

I feel for you, I've been sneezing all day and each time I have to quickly hoick up my pelvic floor to prevent me peeing my pants

Nowt a breastfeeding mama can do either, am sorting out a trip to the doctors to see if I cna have a nasal spray and eye drops. It's driving me mad today.

I saw this link on another Mumsnet thread, debating about trying it

I was prescribed a nasal spray called Nasonex by my doctor (who checked his pharmacy book to make sure that it's OK for pregnancy). It's not great, as you need to use it for a while to build up the effect, and it's only for nasal symptoms. It's a lot better than nothing though.

Benedryl is ok to take, I got in on prescription, GPs know it as Acrivastine.

Heron22, did you used to be Heron23/OhJoy?

Piriton (chlorpheniramine), Atarax (hydroxyzine) and loratidine tablets are all OK.

Opticrom (sodium cromoglycate) eye drops are OK.

Nasonex, Beconase and Flizonase are all OK.

Just double check on the Piriton. GP said she thought it was ok but to check with pharmacy. They said it was OK last year, but has just changed the warning to say not safe ... so check with GP. Local Honey's supposed to help though.

I was prescribed piriton during pregnancy - not for hayfever but for a rash. It was prescribed by the labour ward at teh hospital I was booked into. Am sure they wouldn't have prescribed it if it was a bad idea - maybe depends how many weeks you are? Think I was about 30 weeks. HTH.

Also, try irrigating your nasal passages with saline. You can buy it in a canister at the chemist. It's called Sterimar and the box has instructions on how to irrigate.

I irrigate 2-3x/day if I'm having an attack.

hi all, thank you so much for all your replies. i will go through each one carefully.

i sneezed so hard today, that i peed myself!

Actually, most antihistamines are recommended to avoid, mostly because the drug companies haven't done any research on the effect on pregnant women and their offspring. (wouldn't be very ethical!).

it's a matter of balance of risk and benefit to the woman and child.

that said, piriton is one of the older antihists so has more anecdotal data about safety. on the whole they are probably safe, it maybe depends how brave your GP is and how desparate you are, but still recommended to avoid. Sorry!!

honey is also supposed to be avoided for a different reason, I can't remember why at present. nasal steroids are ok (as are inhaled steroids for asthma), again a balance of risk and benefit. And there is no evidence that homeopathy works either. stay indoors and pray for rain!!

hi Moosma, yes, i am heron23/ohjoy. i was having problems with logins thats why.

now it is all sorted and i am heron22

I'm a GP and the drugs that I have recommended are the ones which I personally would be happy to prescribe to any pregnant woman on the grounds of safety.

Moosma - am VERY surprised you got Benedryl!

Problem is Emma1977 I know GPs that would not be happy to prescribe Nasonex, Beconase and Flizonase.

The general feeling seems to be the older remedies such as piriton are ok as they have been around so long that any effects on a baby should be known but no research has been done. As most pregnant women are 2 minutes from falling asleep anyway piriton isn't a great option.

I would be MORE than happy to be pointed in any direction that shows research that beconase or anything like that is safe in pregnancy as I am currently sitting in a very stuffy house with all the windows shut. There has been more research done on the effects of alchol during pregnancy than there has been on hayfever medication and yet we are still told NO alcohol.

Try the homeopathic tablets called "Nux Vom" - these are also FAB FAB FAB for morning sickness.

I have bought the little elctrified tampons from lloyds pharmacy and they came today so, when i have a battery i will use that and let you know how i get on!

I also bought "itchy eyes" eye drops and they seem to help. Was told that nose spray is ok by chemist and also piriton if you need to take it but not in last 3 months (or 1st 3 months) of pregnancy.

Not medication related, but do you line dry your clothes and bedding? I know it's great to do it this time of year, but your clothes and bedding may be getting covered in pollen if it's something local that you are allergic to.

hi rara, no, i do not line dry my clothes and bedding.

i have bought this pot called the Neti Pot. it is used for flushing the nose and sinuses using a saline solution. promises to work a treat!

will let you all know if it works!

hi pontypine, what is an electrified tampons??

Local honey- made by bees who have pollunated local flowers. Worth a try- I'm eating local honey for hayfever as I was recommended this by a friend- will lt you know how it goes!

The "tampons" are the electric probes posted above from lloyds pharmacy. i tried them tonight and will keep you posted. it can't get much worse - it's made me cry today it's been that bad!

years ago i took homeopathic stuff that worked wonders but have temporarily blanked on the name.

actually came on tonight to find it out as the hayfield next door was cut yesterday and i'm dying a slow death by sneezing

Sabadilla 6c: This homeopathic remedy can be tried by individuals experiencing violent sneezing; watery, swollen, and red eyes; and a sore throat that is soothed by warm drinks. The person?s thinking is dull and slow. Sabadilla 6c can be taken every thirty minutes three to four times per day, discontinue with significant improvement.

Euphrasia 6c: Euphrasia may be helpful in cases where the eyes are swollen and water all the time, burning tears are present, a bland discharge comes from the nose, and symptoms worsen indoors. Euphrasia 6c can be taken every fifteen minutes for up to one hour, discontinue with significant improvement.

Allium cepa 6c: This remedy may be beneficial in cases where the eye/nose symptoms are opposite those that call for treatment with Euphrasia: individuals have bland, watery eyes, burning, runny nose discharge, and frequent, sudden sneezing. Allium cepa 6c can be taken every thirty minutes three to four times per day, discontinue with significant improvement.

Pulsatilla 6c: The disposition and mental state are the chief guiding symptoms to the selection of Pulsatilla. It is pre-eminently a female remedy, especially for mild, gentle, yielding disposition. Sad, crying readily; weeps when talking; Changeable, contradictory. The patient seeks the open air; always feels better there, even though he is chilly. Mucous membranes are all affected. Discharges thick, bland, and yellowish-green. Often indicated after abuse of Iron tonics, and after badly-managed measles. Symptoms ever changing. thirstless, peevish, and chilly. When first serious impairment of health is referred to age of puberty. Great sensitiveness. Wants the head high. Feels uncomfortable with only one pillow. Lies with hands above head.
BETTER, open air, motion, cold applications, cold food and drinks, though not thirsty.
WORSE, from heat, rich fat food, after eating, towards evening, warm room, lying on left or on painless side, when allowing feet to hang down.

Euphrasia was the one i tried before and really worked and i'm about to try pulsatilla now as it's all i have in the house.

HTH