Allergies During Pregnancy - Causes and Signs of Allergies During Pregnancy

There are two forms of the disease: mild and severe. In turn, the first includes allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, local urticaria. The second includes generalized urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock.

Causes

Any form of allergy appears after the expectant mother comes into contact with an allergen. Irritants can be plants, animal hair, dust, household chemicals, medicines.

Symptoms

The main difference between allergies during pregnancy and their occurrence at other times is that the body's response will be less pronounced, but serious complications cannot be ruled out. For example, if the expectant mother has a history of bronchial asthma, it may not manifest itself at all during pregnancy.

Allergic rhinitis will manifest itself as a feeling of nasal congestion, sneezing, and copious mucous discharge. With conjunctivitis, redness of the eyes, a burning sensation, lacrimation, and photophobia are possible. Urticaria is characterized by the appearance of a reddish swelling (blister) with severe itching at the site of contact with the irritant. With a generalized form, such swellings will merge with each other and cover almost the entire surface of the mother's body. Quincke's edema is accompanied by swelling of the mucous membranes, skin, and subcutaneous fat in the head and neck area. Damage to the hands and feet is also possible. The most dangerous form of allergic reaction is, of course, anaphylactic shock. It is characterized by a feeling of shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, pain in the chest, abdomen, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness. In this form, the expectant mother can die within half an hour without qualified assistance.

A pregnant woman with allergies should be under constant supervision of a gynecologist and allergist.

Diagnostics

Naturally, diagnostic measures will include skin tests to identify the damaging factor, immunological tests, examination of the woman and clarification of her complaints.

Possible complications

The most common complication for the fetus is hypoxia, which will occur due to the discrepancy between the mother's ability to provide sufficient blood circulation to the baby during an attack and his need for oxygen.

Also, serious consequences arise as a result of treating an allergic reaction in the mother due to taking various medications, since the child in the womb requires the maximum amount of vitamins and a complete absence of chemicals.

Treatment

During pregnancy, you should not self-medicate. Be sure to go to see a gynecologist, an allergist. And only after their consultation can you take the prescribed medications.

Prevention

Particular attention should be paid to prevention. Even during pregnancy planning, it is necessary to do the maximum number of allergy tests in order to know all the substances to which the immune system can react, and try to prevent contact with them. You should stick to a diet, not smoke and not be around smokers, ventilate the apartment daily and do wet cleaning.