More than 20% of Americans suffer from allergies and allergies while pregnant women are suffering other pregnant symptoms can make things worse. Your immune system fights against infections and disease-causing organism, but sometimes, it overreacts and produces antibodies to fight a harmless foreign substance, such as bee venom, pollen or pet dander. That's when you experience signs of allergies. Your body will undergo serious changes during pregnancy, and becoming exposed to an allergen will make you experience some suffering for sure.

What Are the Symptoms of Allergies While Pregnancy?

There will be certain signs of allergies while pregnant women's immune system wages a war against an invader that isn't really so harmful, which could includ:

• Sneezing
• Itching
• Nasal congestion
• Watery eyes
• Throat cleaning
• Hives that produce raised bumps, red skin, and facial swelling

How to Diagnose Allergies While Pregnancy

Allergies, while pregnant women are enjoying the happiness of having a cute baby, is really a buzzkill. This types of allergies are usually diagnosed by examining medical history and considering typical allergy symptoms. In some cases, if it is not clear what triggers your immune system and produces allergy symptoms, your doctor may order allergy testing to find the causes. Your doctor will use a prick to transfer a very small amount of potential allergens to your body and then observe how your immune system responds. You will develop itching and redness if you're allergic to this certain allergen.

How to Deal With Allergies During Pregnant

If you have allergies during pregnant, it is obvious to feel concerned about the whole situation. There's so much happening in your body due to serious changes in hormones, so allergies can definitely make things worse. Genetics are responsible for allergies in some women, while others may develop allergies due to repeated exposure to certain allergens. Here are a few ways to avoid and soothe allergies while pregnant women suffer from morning sickness and the like.

1. Avoid Your Triggers

The best thing in dealing with allergies is to avoid your triggers. For instance:

• Don't socialize with people who smoke because secondhand smoke can cause allergy and is quite harmful for your baby.
• Be sure to avoid household chemicals such as paint thinner to prevent allergies.
• Stay inside when pollen count is high outside. You should wear wrap-around sunglasses and wear a mask if possible to keep pollen out of your eyes and nose. Don't forget to wash your hands and shoes soon after you come indoors.
• Ask someone else to clean your home and take steps to keep it as dust-free as possible. Have someone clean your carpets and couches with a vacuum. Use a cleaner with HEPA filter or make use of wet mop to avoid stirring up dust.
• Tell your friends and relatives about your pet allergy. Inform them about your visit, so they could arrange something for their pets before your arrival.

2. Rinse with Neti Pot

Make use of the neti pot to help relieve your congested nose. Here's more about it:

• Fill the neti pot with an OTC saline nasal solution and use it twice a day. Tilt your head over your sink and place the spout of the pot in your upper nostril. Now, pour in the solution slowly to let it flow out of your lower nostril. Do the same on the other side.
• Instead of using an OTC saline solution, you can use distilled, sterile, boiled water in the neti pot. Be sure to clean the pot properly after every use and then let it air dry.

3. Other Effective Remedies

It is really disappointing to have allergies while pregnant women are welcoming their coming angel. So it's vital to know more effective remedies for allgeries during pregnancy:

• Make use of a saline nasal spray. There are quite a few ORC saline nasal sprays available in the market. Use them to ease your symptoms.
• Make use of OTC nasal strips when you go to sleep. These strips will help keep your nasal passages open throughout the night.
• Be sure to live an active lifestyle and exercise daily to help reduce nasal inflammation.
• Raise the head of your bed by 45 degrees to help ease your symptoms.

4. Take the Correct Medications

Most doctors don't prescribe any allergy medication when your symptoms aren't that bad. Simply taking steps to make your home allergy-proof will resolve the issue in most cases.

• Even so, you may take some to relieve your allergy symptoms, especially when your allergies while pregnancy is making it difficult for you to sleep at night.
• If you have allergic asthma, your doctor will prescribe specific medications that you have to use regularly because uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy can lead to several complications.

Are Allergy Shots Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, allergy shots are safe during pregnancy and you can continue to have allergy shots if you started your course before becoming pregnant. But bear in mind that you should not start your allergic shots after you get pregnant. What's more, it is important to take it under the strict supervision of your healthcare provider. Your doctor will monitor your dose to prevent any allergic reactions to the shots, which are usually quite rare. Don't increase the dose until after delivery.