Can You Develop Allergies During Pregnancy?

Sometimes a runny nose or other allergy symptoms appear during pregnancy. Have you ever known someone who developed peanut allergy symptoms during pregnancy? You may be pregnant and be experiencing upper respiratory symptoms and you're wondering if you have developed allergies.

Are women more prone to developing allergies during pregnancy? Many women say that they were allergy-free before pregnancy, but they definitely had allergy symptoms during pregnancy. Even stranger, the same women may have these symptoms with one pregnancy but not with another one.

Allergies Can Develop At Any Time of Life

The odd thing about allergies is that they can develop at any time. Young babies can suddenly become allergic to milk, just as toddlers, preschoolers, or elementary age children and older children and adults can develop milk allergies, peanut allergies, and others.

Some people are more likely to end up having allergies, such as those who have close relatives with food allergies or environmental allergies.

Many Women Love To Eat Peanut Butter During Pregnancy

If you are like many other pregnant women and you have been eating peanut butter and peanuts whenever they are available, and you have symptoms of a peanut allergy, you will probably want to call your doctor. It is possible to develop an allergy to peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy, but if this happens, it is coincidental.

Pregnancy does not cause allergies to develop more frequently, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). It is true that a pregnant woman experiences many hormonal changes, but these do not cause allergies.

Your Runny Nose Can Be The Result of Your Pregnancy

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), many women experience swelling of the nasal passages during pregnancy. This is caused by hormonal changes, and it can result in sneezing and a runny nose. This can happen to any pregnant woman, whether she has had allergies before or not.

Every Woman's Allergies Are Different During Pregnancy

If you had allergies before pregnancy, you could find that they are not as severe now that you are pregnant. Other women sometimes find that food
allergies worsen during the nine months that they are pregnant.

Strangely, some women say that there was no change at all in their allergies during pregnancy. Each woman experiences different allergic reactions during this time. If an allergy develops, it isn't related to your pregnancy.

Discuss Allergy Medications with Your Doctor Before Taking Them

If you have developed nasal allergy symptoms during your pregnancy, it is best to talk to your doctor before taking any medications. Even over-the-counter allergy medications can be harmful to your baby.

The Federal Food and Drug Administration recommends talking to your doctor before you take any allergy medicine because some kinds can cause fetal harm, even when you do not need a prescription to purchase them.

Photo: Pixabay