Pregnancy and allergy
Allergic diseases are among the most common diseases of the society and allergic conditions may occur during pregnancy.
Allergic diseases include redness, swelling and itching of the skin (atopic dermatitis, eczema, urticaria and angioedema), stinging and watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), increased nasal secretion, itching, congestion (allergic rhinitis), shortness of breath in the lungs (allergic asthma) or digestion. diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (food allergies).
Symptoms are caused by exposure of an allergic person to a certain allergy. These allergy agents may be substances such as various mites, dust, pollen, animal hair taken by inhalation, as well as various foods (eggs, strawberries, chocolate and many other foodstuffs), detergents through skin contact, various metal jewelery or various drugs such as penicillin group antibiotics. . Generally speaking, every substance in the world and even drugs used for allergies may be the cause of allergy.
On average 20% of mothers are known to have any allergic conditions.
What is Allergy?
Our Immune System is our system that protects our body against incoming foreign substances, bacteria, viruses and other living cells and works to destroy the small number of cancer cells that occur in everyone's body from time to time. In its simplest definition, the allergy is the excessive response of the immune system.
The tissue structure of the baby that grows in the mother during pregnancy is different from that of the mother. The reason for this is that half of the genes in the baby's structure come from the father-to-be.
Despite this tissue difference, although our body tends to remove the foreign tissue transferred to it in a short time, the baby may continue to grow in the womb even though it is a foreign tissue as a result of “readjustments inde in the immune system during pregnancy. Although these changes in the immune system generally contribute to the reduction of allergic diseases in the expectant mother, this is not always the case, and pre-existing allergic conditions may be alleviated during pregnancy, or aggravation may occur or non-allergic conditions may occur for the first time during pregnancy.
The Role of Family in Allergy
The probability of developing an allergic condition in the infant is approximately 40%, especially if one of the mother or father is allergic to the respiratory tract. When both parents are allergic, there is a 70% chance of developing an allergy.
The Role of Environmental Factors in Allergy
The earlier and more often a genetically predisposed person is exposed to allergy-triggering factors, the longer the first occurrence and severity of the allergic condition increases.
The Role of Psychological Factors in Allergy
When the individual who has experienced the first allergic reaction returns to this first experience, he can relive the reaction even if the allergy conditions at that time have disappeared. Considering the close relationship between the immune system and the brain, the close link between psychological factors and the development of allergies can be better understood.
VARIOUS ALLERGIC DISEASES
Pregnancy and Asthma
Asthma is a disease that occurs in approximately 3-4% of our population. Asthma is seen in approximately 1.5% of pregnancy because it is relatively less seen between the ages of 20-65. Although it is impossible to predict the course of asthma during pregnancy, symptoms of asthma in general do not change in 50% of mothers during pregnancy, 25% are heavier in mothers and 25% in mothers. Asthma, which is accompanied by symptoms such as narrowing of the bronchi, shortness of breath and cough in case of exposure to an allergic agent, is not considered as a condition that adversely affects the course of pregnancy.
When left uncontrolled, asthma is a condition that should be carefully monitored during pregnancy as it may cause an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight and newborn death.
It is important that mothers with asthma should avoid allergens, cigarettes, infections, heavy exercise and medications such as aspirin, which may cause an asthma attack in themselves.
In the treatment of asthma during pregnancy, the branch doctor prescribes drugs that are not expected to have a negative impact on the baby in cooperation with the doctor following the pregnancy.
In particular, the elimination of domestic allergens (mites, pets, cockroaches and molds), frequent ventilation of the house, strictly non-smoking at home, good protection of the respiratory system from viral and bacterial diseases, especially in winter, and influenza vaccination It is important.
A wide range of medications are available for asthma, either by inhalation, in the form of tablets and injections, and may be used safely, including the first trimester, as required by the pulmonary diseases specialist. If desensitization treatment (erji allergy vaccine ”) has started before pregnancy, this treatment should be continued according to the advice of the allergy specialist.
Rhinitis (inflammation of the nose) and “Allergic Flu”
Although various symptoms of nasal mucosa (nasal congestion, increased nasal secretion, nasal itching) occur in one third of the mothers, a significant portion of them are due to the general fluid increase in the body during the pregnancy which causes enlargement of the nasal vessels. Especially in mothers with curvature of the nasal bone, such symptoms are more common.
The main symptoms of allergic rhinitis (erjik allergic rhinitis görülen), which are common in mothers with allergies, can be summarized as nasal congestion, sneezing and nasal itching.
Allergic rhinitis may occur as a result of contact of nasal mucosa with pollen, mite, mold, dust and animal hair in susceptible mothers. Allergic rhinitis is present in most cases from the pre-pregnancy period, but sometimes the first symptoms can also occur during pregnancy.
It is very important to distinguish between allergic rhinitis, bacterial rhinitis with pus-discharge and nasal obstruction, drug-induced rhinitis caused by irresponsible long-term use of nasal drops, and vasomotor rhinitis which may result in nasal obstruction with nasal obstruction. The treatment of each of the aforementioned diseases is different.
Allergic rhinitis is a condition that can cause insomnia and inability to breathe and decrease appetite by adversely affecting the sense of taste in very advanced cases during pregnancy and it should be treated.
The treatment starts with avoiding allergy-causing factors and nasal drops and other treatments that do not harm the baby can be applied with the advice of the doctor when necessary.
Desensitization (immunotherapy, allergy vaccine) should be continued if started before pregnancy.
URTICERARY AND ANGIOEDEMA (Hives)
Urticaria is an allergic skin disease that manifests itself as round, puffy, red, and itchy lesions on the superficial layer of the skin. Lesions that go deeper in the skin layers are called angioedema. It appears intensely on hands, feet and body.
Various foods, medicines, various infections, soaps and perfumes used, insect stings, various foods and jewelry can cause urticaria in the mother.
As with all allergic diseases, it is possible to avoid the causative agent and treat with the drugs used when necessary.
PUPP Disease (Pruritic Dermatosis of Pregnancy, Pregnancy Urticaria)
It is a common skin disease in pregnancy and manifests itself as itchy skin rashes that occur during the last months of pregnancy. The rash that starts around the belly button spreads to the upper parts of the legs and further down and is quite itchy. In advanced cases, it can spread to every part of the body except the face area.
It is usually seen in expectant mothers who have a first pregnancy, their familial characteristics are strong, and the likelihood of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies is low.
Cortisone creams can be used as well as warm carbonated baths. This disease, which does not adversely affect the baby, disappears rapidly in the days following birth.
Atopic Dermatitis
Allergic rhinitis, asthma and food allergies are common in the same maternal candidate in this allergic skin disease which is seen in 2% of adults. The most common skin areas are the neck, upper chest, mouth, elbow and back of the knee, and around the eyes. It does not adversely affect the course of pregnancy and is treated with locally effective drugs that do not harm the baby.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe condition that can be defined by the rapid onset of allergic reactions, sometimes resulting in death. The response that occurs shortly after the allergen enters the body can cause urticaria and angioedema, asthma attacks and larynx spasms in the respiratory system, severe drop in blood pressure in the cardiovascular system, or nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fecal incontinence in the digestive system. The most common cause of this condition, which is very rare in pregnancy, is drug allergy. It is very important that treatment should be started in a short time. Penicillin antibiotics and intravenous iron are the most common drugs that cause anaphylaxis reaction, but any drug can cause this reaction. It has been shown that even exercise during exercise and especially labor can cause anaphylaxis.
Drug Allergy in Pregnancy
Drug allergy is relatively low as the use of drugs generally decreases during pregnancy. It is very important for mothers who are known to be allergic to a certain drug to report this to their doctor.
Not all itchy allergies.
Non-allergic Itching: Pregnancy
The most important cause of widespread pruritus in the body during pregnancy is the condition called pregnancy itching, not allergy. In one of the approximately 700 mothers, this disease is usually seen in the last weeks of pregnancy. Due to the increase in pregnancy hormones, the flow in the bile ducts slows down and bile acids that cause itching in the blood accumulate.
Although itching is usually the only symptom during pregnancy, it may cause bilirubin and jaundice in the biliary ducts.
Pregnancy pruritus alone is not considered to adversely affect the course of pregnancy and the condition of the baby, but closer follow-up is necessary if jaundice is present.
Pregnancy pruritus is a condition that should be differentiated from liver involvement that may develop during the course of preeclampsia, but this distinction can easily be made by the fact that blood pressure is normal and there is no protein output in urine.
In the treatment of pregnancy itching, according to the doctor's recommendation, regional cream or lotion treatment or oral tablets may be used.
Pregnancy itching usually disappears two weeks after birth, but it is usually recurrent in every pregnancy, and the same symptoms may occur when mothers who are infected take the contraceptive pill.
Last word
If you have an allergic body, and if you are or have been treated, you should preferably consult a doctor before becoming pregnant. This can be used to determine which substances are allergic as well as to prepare a treatment plan for pregnancy. If desensitization (treatment for the desensitization of the body against the allergy agent) is to be carried out, the best period to begin is the pre-pregnancy period.
It may be beneficial for mothers who have increased allergic reactions during the pollen seasons to plan the first 3 months of their pregnancy so that they do not meet this season.
Is it Possible to Prevent Allergy Development in the Infant?
Although the following information concerns every parent, it is particularly important if the parent or both are particularly allergic.
You can:
Prevent your baby from becoming allergic to food:
If you have an allergic disease, avoid allergy-causing factors (such as milk, eggs, peanuts) during breastfeeding.
Feed your baby for the first 6 months only if possible with breast milk or use appropriate food
Give solid food after 6 months
Do not give foods containing cow's milk, soy, wheat, corn, or peaty before the age of 1
Do not give foods such as eggs, fish, peanuts before the age of 2
Prevent your baby from being exposed to environmental factors that may cause allergies:
Clean your baby's environments and especially the room from allergic factors such as mite, mold, animal hair.
Prevent animals from entering the room, do not use carpets
Ventilate and moisten the room well
Help strengthen your baby's immune response:
Only breastfeed her for the first 6 months
Other:
Never smoke at home
Avoid viral infections and, if possible, do not deliver your baby to the caregiver for a period of time
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