Holy Moly! Allergies are here! We haven't been able to post up so much because we've been too busy sneezing. True to form, putting our kids first, we seem to have already talked about the seasonal allergies and kids. But, what about the mamas? Are you a mama with allergies? How do you treat? What allergy remedy suggestions do you have for pregnant and nursing mamas?
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Ah yes, the sun is out and I am sneezey and stuffy. I go with the prescriptions (Nasonex, Singulair and eye drops). I also take out my contacts ASAP (or wear my glasses), use saline spray, shower at night, avoid sitting directly on the grass, wash my hands and face regularly. I found acupuncture helpful when I was pregnant and would try again not pregnant. What is worse for me these days is the newly discovered tree nut allergy - do you know how many things have tree nuts in them? And all the natural products that I can't use because of all the botanicals and fragrances.
Posted by: courtney | April 07, 2009 at 06:48 PM
I know some people have much worse/different kinds of allergies, but let me tell those of you who just feel uncomfortably stuffy and sneezy: Get a Neti pot and use it 2-3 times per day. I was sitting outside on a lawn chair with a magazine this afternoon, and felt myself having a reaction. I went inside, did the ol' nasal rinse, and felt instantly better!
Posted by: kristen c | April 07, 2009 at 07:44 PM
I am using Loratadine (generic Claratin) from Costo, nice and cheap and fairly helpful but not strong enough right now. I want to second the suggestions from the first two posts - nasal rinse and showering before bed are really helpful. Pollen collects in your hair especially so cleaning it off before you spread it all over your pillow can help you feel much better in the morning. I am really allergic to grass so we also used to rinse our dog off before coming inside after playing at the park, etc. during allergy season since it was easier than keeping her off the bed. I was very lucky because my allergies didn't bother me when I was pregnant but I will keep the acupuncture suggestion in mind for the future.
Posted by: Kate | April 07, 2009 at 08:44 PM
For me, there's a few non-medicinal things that seem to make a difference:
1. shower at night so that I'm not going to bed with allergens on me
2. neti-pot (nasal irrigation) - it's only weird the first time
3. Nettle tea when things get really bad
When I know it's going to be a bad day, I'll pop a Zyrtec, it's the only thing that really helps at that point.
Posted by: Gina | April 07, 2009 at 08:56 PM
I've been dealing with these Portland allergies for most of my life. This year my routine is:
1. Zyrtec every single morning (I won't try stopping it until July).
2. Benadryl at night as well on the REALLY bad days.
3. Two quick rinse-off showers daily on the bad days.
4. Patanol (prescription) eye drops for the burning that just won't quit - supplemented with over-the-counter re-wetting drops or Visine.
5. Leaving my contacts out as much as possible.
6. Washing my hands A LOT.
7. Wearing gloves in the garden.
8. NeilMed sinus rinse (easier for me than Netti Pot) to prevent the chronic inflammation turning into the dreaded sinus infection.
Achoo!
Posted by: Nic | April 07, 2009 at 09:24 PM
flonase!
Posted by: Misty | April 07, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Does eating honey made in your area help inoculate your body against allergens like pollen? I am miserably happy (happy because the good weather, miserable with the allergies) and am trying to avoid the intense medications in my cupboard. I think I might try this Neti pot stuff... Can I just spray some saline solution in my nose?
Posted by: Sofia | April 07, 2009 at 09:58 PM
I've heard that eating local honey helps, but it hasn't helped me so far. I'm sneezing like crazy this year, but only taking one Sudafed a day to take the edge off because I am nursing. I will try the Netti Pot. Definitely no nettles while nursing/prego, but they are helpful other times. I've also used acupuncture a lot for my food allergies and migraines. Worked wonders (thank you amazing Mindy Cash, DC!), but doesn't seem to stave off the seasonal stuff. Ahh-choo!
Posted by: Kim | April 08, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Here's an interesting one...My husband had terrible allergies. Sinus infections all of spring (and fall) , fatigue, the works. Well, we noticed after he went gluten-free (and dairy free...turns out he has a ton of food allergies) he no longer has any seasonal allergies. Last Halloween he rode a hayride. In my 15 years of knowing him, I've never seen him able to do that.
Last year was the worst year yet for my seasonal spring allergies. So this spring I decided to try giving up gluten – just for kicks, just to see if it helped my seasonal allergies. So far, gluten free, I haven't had any problems at all. I’ll know for certain when the lilacs bloom. That’s usually a tough time for me.
So, anyways, this is purely anecdotal but I thought I’d toss it out just in case it might help someone. Gluten-free is no party but, on the other hand, I’ve noticed a clarity in my body that I’ve never felt before. We eat a lot of corn tortillas and Trader Joes Gluten-Free bread. Believe me, I have these awesome dreams where I’m chomping down on pizza, muffins and my most missed food of all…pretzels!
I'm not sure if I'll stay gluten free forever (too many awesome baked goods recipes on the internet) but for now it's working....
Posted by: kate | April 08, 2009 at 09:44 AM
I know we are supposed to be talking about us mamas, but I just had the most amazing experience with my daughter. Acupuncture! My little girl was having the worst allergies. Itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, eczema. Emily Cohen at Acupuncture Northwest is like a miracle worker. She is so much better. She is great with kids of all ages. Check her out. www.acupuncturenwpdx.com
Posted by: jmj | April 08, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Oh, my eyes have been killing me. I don't wear my contacts, and yesterday bought some eye drops with antihistamine in them.
I can typically handle the running am nose, so I don't want to take more meds than I need right now.
Last year, when still nursing, my doc recommended Afrin for 3 days (and the Neti Pot). I couldn't take sudafed because it kicked my supply to zero & wanted to keep nursing. The afrin helped break the cycle.
I didn't start the neti pot, but earlier this year got kicked with a sinus infection. Like a prev poster, I use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse. Weird but it worked. If I get clogged again with allergies, I will remember to use it.
Posted by: SusanOR | April 08, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Off subject, but Kate, there is a gluten free pizza place in Sellwood, can't remember the name of it but its probably not the only one in town. Also, I just found a website called celiacchicks.com and they reference a gluten free bakery in Portland. Just thought I would let you know, its much easier to stick with it if you can still enjoy some of your favorites once in a while.
Posted by: Kate | April 08, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Kim, why no nettles when you are nursing and pregnant? I have been drinking the tea I made from my harvest and I have a three month old. Found this on a website when I googled nettles and pregnancy.
"According to Sharol Tilgner, ND, president of Wise Women Herbals in Creswell, Oregon, nettles should be picked prior to flowering to avoid bladder and kidney irritation. Although use as a tonic is considered safe in pregnancy, concentrated extracts of stinging nettles (such as used to treat hay fever) can act as an abortifacient."
Posted by: plain jane | April 08, 2009 at 03:31 PM
New drug-free Chloraseptic and Little Allergies Allergen Block are perfect for pregnant or nursing mamas. These topical gels are applied outside the nostrils to block allergens in the air on contact before they enter the nasal passages. They are drug-free so there are no side effects or danger of potential drug interactions. You can find them at most major retailers.
Posted by: Megan O'Haus | April 09, 2009 at 09:35 AM
My husband has had terrible allergies all of his life and has tried all of the different medications offered. They would help for a while but then the side effects would get to him. Then he tried nettles. Worked ok, but not strong enough for what he goes through. But then, like Kate's husband, he discovered that his diet had a huge effect on how he was feeling. I don't know if it was the gluten in particular, but he essentially began eating a mostly vegan diet with very little wheat products. His allergies went away almost instantly. It was an amazing transformation. I don't recommend it to everyone because it can be a pretty radical change, and I'm thankful that I don't face the same issues because I'm not a fan of vegan living myself, but it has really worked for him. And while it took me a long time to get used to cutting all animal and wheat products out of my cooking routines, I will take a non-grumpy husband any day!
Posted by: Katy | April 09, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I've always had terrible allergies to just about everything outdoors, but my allergies haven't been bad at all since I've been pregnant. Has anyone else noticed this?
I was told claritin (loratidine) and benadryl were fine, but to avoid zyrtec while preggers since it hasn't been thoroughly tested on moms-to-be yet.
Posted by: Joy | April 09, 2009 at 04:05 PM
When I was pregnant my allergies never bothered me, seemed to be the same even when I was nursing. Now I am done being pregnant and nursing and they are back.
Posted by: hoffymama | April 11, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Miserable miserable miserable! I thought the rain might help- but, having a rough day today.
Neti does help- not something you can easily do during the workday though. Hopefully, this claritin-d will keep in soon and give me some relief.
Posted by: Gwen | April 13, 2009 at 10:18 AM