Are seasonal allergies worse when pregnant?
Spring is right around the corner. After a long dark winter, the sight of blooming flowers is a welcome reminder of renewal and the beginning of new life.
Unless you are one of the 60 million people in the United States that suffer from allergies each year and view spring and its abundance of pollen with trepidation rather than awe.
If you have a little one on the way, you may wonder, "are seasonal allergies worse when pregnant?"
We explore the connection between allergies and pregnancy here so you can prepare for the season ahead.
What causes seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, occur when the immune system overreacts to allergens, such as pollens, in a particular season. The immune system is designed to protect you from infection-causing organisms, but in the case of seasonal allergies, it overreacts to things that aren't harmful.
People become allergic to a substance when the body develops antigens after exposure. Then, when they reencounter the substance, the immune system releases a cascade of mediators designed to protect them from the perceived threat. The most well-known mediator is histamine which causes symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.
The symptoms of allergies vs. pregnancy
It's important to recognize that pregnancy can cause issues that may be confused with allergies. For example, as your baby grows, an increase in the production of blood and fluid in your body can cause swelling in the nasal passages resulting in congestion and postnasal drip.
However, if your symptoms are caused by seasonal allergies, you will likely experience congestion in combination with the following:
Itchy eyes, ears, and throat
Sneezing
Coughing or wheezing
Rashes
How does pregnancy impact allergies?
Pregnancy causes significant physiological changes in the body resulting in some challenging symptoms. Morning sickness, back pain, swollen feet, insomnia, and stretch marks, just to name a few—and yes, you can add worsening seasonal allergies to that list!
Some women will experience seasonal allergies for the first time during pregnancy. And others who suffered from the condition prior to pregnancy may find that their allergies are much worse when they are expecting.
So, why are seasonal allergies worse when pregnant?
The connection between allergies and pregnancy is complex, but it is thought that a combination of hormonal and immune function changes is responsible.
Hormones
Seasonal allergies can emerge or worsen during times of hormonal shifts. During pregnancy, your body produces increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
The mast cells in the immune system responsible for releasing mediators such as histamine carry receptors for these hormones. Therefore, the increase in estrogen and progesterone can cause the mast cells to degranulate and react to allergens more readily.
Immune function
A mother's immune system adapts during pregnancy to prevent the body from rejecting the fetus as a potential threat. This change can impact the way your immune system functions, making you more susceptible to seasonal allergies. It is also the reason why many pregnant women find they get sick with common viruses more frequently.
How to manage seasonal allergies during pregnancy
Managing seasonal allergies during pregnancy can be difficult, but there are steps you can take to alleviate your symptoms.
Here are some tips to help you manage your allergies:
Avoid allergens—Try to avoid exposure to known allergens as much as possible. For example, stay indoors when pollen counts are high and consider using an air purifier to reduce the allergens.
Use a saline nasal spray—Saline nasal sprays can help relieve congestion and clear the sinuses of allergen particles.
Talk to your doctor—There are some pregnancy-safe medications available to relieve your seasonal allergies. Ask your doctor which treatment options would be suitable for your symptoms.
The connection between allergies and sleep
The uncomfortable symptoms of seasonal allergies can undoubtedly impact the quality of your sleep.
But did you know that research has shown that sleep deprivation can lower the reactivity threshold in allergic reactions? So if you aren't getting sufficient sleep, it could exacerbate your allergic symptoms.
We all know sleep is crucial in pregnancy for the optimal development of the baby and the mother's health. The connection between sleep and allergies is just one more example and provides further evidence as to why prioritizing sleep is so important.
Don't suffer in silence
The answer to the question "are seasonal allergies worse when pregnant?" is complex, and every woman's experience will differ. But the good news is that there are things you can do to manage the symptoms.
Don't suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor about treatment, and if you are finding sleep challenging, contact the team at My Sweet Sleeper for help.
We can work with you one-on-one to get your sleep back on track, or check out our virtual Maternity Sleep Class that can be completed at your own pace.
Reach out to us today, and explore how we can support you.
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