Spring allergies during pregnancy: symptoms, risks and care

Although sometimes rain or temperature changes may make it seem delayed, the spring It always arrives… and with it come the awkward moments. spring allergy symptomsAnd if you are also pregnant And since you were already allergic to pollen, it's understandable that you're wondering how it might affect you and what you can do to feel better without putting your baby at risk.

In this article you will find a clear explanation of Why does the allergy occur?what exactly is the spring allergy or pollinosisHow can influence pregnancy, what symptom You can expect, what Treatments They are usually considered safer and what prevention measures You can apply it in your daily life to reduce discomfort.

Why do we have allergies?

Not all people They have allergies. Just one. percentage of the population present an special predisposition, largely inherited, which causes their immune system to respond in a exaggerated in the face of certain harmless substances for most, like pollen, mites or certain foods.

When a predisposed person first contact with one of these substances (allergens), their body identifies them as a threat and generates specific antibodies in front of them, especially of the type IgE (immunoglobulin E). These antibodies attach to special cells called mast cellswhich are concentrated in greater quantities in the nose, eyes, lungs and leather.

The next time the person is exposed to the same allergen, this It binds to IgE antibodies which are on the surface of mast cells, and triggers a chain reactionMast cells release histamine and other inflammatory substances that lead to typical allergy symptoms (itching, sneezing, mucus, watery eyes, cough or difficulty breathing).

This exaggerated response does not indicate that the body is weak, but rather that the immune system is reacting in a disproportionately This is because it's not dangerous. That's why, even if many people are exposed to the same pollen, only those with this predisposition develop symptoms.

What is a spring allergy?

Spring allergies are also known as pollinosis o seasonal allergic rhinitis. It's kind of respiratory alergy which occurs primarily in spring, coinciding with the pollination: a phase of the reproductive cycle of plants during which The pollen concentration increases significantly. in the air.

Every year, during the flowering periods, this occurs increase in atmospheric pollenThe intensity of allergy season can vary depending on factors such as:

• Type of plants predominant in your area (grasses, olive trees, cypress trees, weeds, etc.).
• Rainfall and temperatures from the previous months, which influence pollen production.
• Atmospheric pollutionwhich can enhance the allergenic effect of pollen.

In many regions, the main causes of pollinosis is grasses and the oliveAlthough other pollens are involved. Interestingly, pollinosis is more frequent in cities than in rural areas, probably because the pollution modifies the pollen particles and makes them more irritants for the respiratory system.

In addition to rhinitis (runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose), hay fever can be associated with allergic conjunctivitis (red, swollen, and watery eyes) and, in some cases, to bronchial asthma, something especially important to monitor during pregnancy.

Does hay fever affect pregnancy? And does pregnancy affect hay fever?

Pollinosis affects approximately one 15% of the general population and, among the YOUNGThis percentage is approaching 30%. The pregnancy It is more common in young women, so it is not unusual for many expectant mothers to also be allergic.

Be pregnant it does not increase the probability to develop for the first time a Pollen allergyAccording to leading allergy societies, such as the SEAIC, pregnancy It does not usually cause an automatic worsening. Regarding respiratory allergies: most pregnant women experience symptoms similar in intensity to those of other years.

What it is very variable es How allergies evolve during pregnancyPeople often talk about the “rule of thirds"

• Un third of women improve of their allergic symptoms during pregnancy.
• Other third worsens and note one higher intensity of the symptoms.
• El The remaining third remains the same. that before conception.

These changes are related to the immune system and hormonal modifications typical of pregnancy, which are not yet fully understood. Furthermore, the perception of discomfort can change: for example, in the third trimester, when breathing becomes more difficult due to increased abdominal volume, a simple stuffy nose It can become much more annoying.

Is spring allergy dangerous for babies?

Another common concern is how it can how does the allergy affect the fetus?. The respiratory allergy itself (allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis) It has no direct effects on the babyIt does not increase the risk of malformations nor does it impede the proper development of the pregnancy.

However, when the allergy is associated with bronchial asthma and this It is not well controlledYes, there can be consequences. One severe asthma attack reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the mother and, consequently, the fetus, potentially producing fetal hypoxia if the crises are intense and frequent.

For this reason, it is essential that, if you are asthmatic or have significant respiratory allergies, See your doctor and your allergist so they can make you a close monitoring During pregnancy, adjust your medication and keep the disease under control.

As for the future, if the Mom and Dad are allergicthe baby will have increased risk of developing allergies throughout their life. It is not the specific allergy that is inherited, but the predisposition to develop allergic diseases. If one of the parents is allergic, the risk is around one 30-40%If both are, it can reach up to a 60%Even so, there are many preventative measures, such as promoting Breastfeeding and an environment with diverse microbiotawhich can help reduce that risk.

It is very important that Notify your obstetrician and your primary care physician if you have any allergiesIf it is a severe allergy or with a history of intense reactionsYou should do follow-up visitsideally with a allergist, to assess the need for a specific treatment or to adjust the current medication.

What symptoms can I expect during pregnancy?

The symptoms of spring allergies during pregnancy will generally be very similar habitual:

• Itching on the skin and eyes.
• Sneezing frequent or runny nose (rhinorrhea).
• Cough and itching in the throat.
• Whistle or a whistling sensation in the chest, especially if it is associated with asthma.
• In the more serious cases, asthmatic conditions with a feeling of shortness of breath and chest tightness.

To this we can add the pregnancy rhinitiswhich is not an allergy per se, but produces similar respiratory symptoms (nasal congestion, watery mucus, sneezing) due to increased blood volume and dilation of blood vessels of the nasal mucosa. This rhinitis occurs in a significant percentage of pregnant women and It is not treated with antihistaminesTherefore, it is key to differentiate it from allergies with the help of a doctor.

Can I take allergy medication if I'm pregnant?

The decision taking medications During pregnancy, you should always go through the medical criteria. Self-medication is not recommendednot even with drugs that previously worked well for you, because safety can vary depending on the trimester of pregnancy, the dose and Treatment duration.

In general:

• On first quarter usually try minimize the use of medication, since it is the stage of formation of the baby's organs.
• If the allergy is severe or associated with asthmaThe following are assessed with the specialist: benefits and risks whether to treat it or not, always bearing in mind that a poorly controlled asthma It may be more dangerous for the fetus than many of the indicated drugs.

Specialists usually opt for medications with more experience of use in pregnant women, such as:

• First and second generation antihistamines with a good safety profile in pregnant women, always low medical prescription.
• In cases of very severe rhinitis, they can be used Topical nasal corticosteroids, also prescribed by the specialist.

With regards to immunotherapy (allergy shots), the usual thing is do not start a new treatment during pregnancy. However, if you were already in the pregnancy phase maintenance Before you got pregnant and you tolerated it well, many guides allow continue with the patternalways under the supervision of your allergist.

whatever your situation, Always inform your gynecologist of the treatment prescribed by your allergist. It is important that both professionals... coordinate the decisions to offer you the better follow-up possible.

Can I avoid or reduce the symptoms of spring allergies?

It's hard We can completely avoid the symptoms of spring allergies, but we can greatly reduce its intensity with a combination of environmental measures and, if the doctor deems it necessary, safe drug treatment. These are some of the most useful precautions:

• Keep the windows closed at night to prevent pollen from entering your home while you sleep.
• Si vas a ventilate housing, do it in short periods of time and during the hours of lower pollen concentrationThe less time the windows are open, the better.
• Demand do not hang sheets or clothes to air dry. The pollen can accumulate in the fibers. If you have no other choice, shake the clothes well before putting it away.
• At home you can use the air conditioner with clean filterswhich helps to clean, cool and dry the air.
• When you go out to the street, uses sunglasses to reduce contact of pollen with the eyes. On days with very high pollen counts, a filtering face mask can also be of great help.
• Demand avoid outdoor activity early in the morning morningsince many plants release pollen between the 5 and 10 am
• Travel with the car windows closed and, if possible, with pollen filters in the air conditioning system.
• If you stay a long time open airWhen you get home, try wash or rinse your hair Before going to bed. The pollen is accumulates in the hair and it can go on the pillow.
• Monitor the pollen count daily in your area (there are official websites and mobile apps) and limits exits on days with very high levels.
• Never take medication that I haven't prescribed it for you Your doctor. Take the prescribed treatments as directed. regular and take the recommended dose.
• If you're with a chronic treatment If you have allergies or asthma and are planning a pregnancy, consult a doctor beforehand if you can maintain it during pregnancy or if it's better adjust.
• Evita walk through heavily wooded areas or be close to freshly cut grassbecause of the lawn mowing removes the pollen and increases its presence in the air.
• Keep the home clean and dust freebetter with vacuum cleaner and damp cloths than with brooms or feather dusters that raise particles.
• Stay away from smoke of the tabaccoboth assets and liabilities, because irritates the mucous membranes nasal, ocular and bronchial and promotes the allergic reactions.

During peak pollination periods, many pregnant women also notice that they sleep worseWhether it's due to nasal congestion or a cough. Maintain a somewhat humid environment (with a thoroughly cleaned humidifier), perform nasal washes with saline solution and take care of the sleeping position They can make a big difference in nighttime rest.

Combining good prevention measures, the support from your medical team and, if necessary, safe, specific treatments, is usually enough for the spring allergies during pregnancy It should be nothing more than a passing annoyance and not a serious problem for you or your baby. Getting through these months with your allergies under control and staying calm will allow you to enjoy the wait much more.