Allergies in Pregnancy

उपशेते यदौचित्यादोक सात्म्यं तदुच्यते||४९||
(च.सू.६/४९)

Allergies in Pregnancy

Allergies happen when our body’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance (also known as an allergen) such as pollen, dust, or a bee sting. During this reaction, our body creates antibodies, or special cells to fight off the foreign substance. A third of women with allergies experience relief from their symptoms when they are pregnant. Unfortunately, one-fifth to a quarter of pregnant women experience allergies anyway. And of those with allergies, one third will experience worse symptoms than usual, because of how pregnancy affects your body, you may feel as though your allergy symptoms are worse. Symptoms may also just feel worse because of how they combine with pregnancy symptoms.

According to the concept of “Satmya” in Ayurveda, diet or medicine which suits to one person may not be suits to another person & this is the reason diet may vary according to Desha (places of living). Therefore, if any food or medicine which is non-conducive is taken, it causes alternate effects on body. Most of the Allergies comes under this concept and so as in pregnancy also.

Dr. Gupta’s IAFA successfully address this condition and provides very safe and effective treatment for all kinds of Allergies occurring during pregnancy.

Causes of Allergies in Pregnancy

Causes of allergies in Pregnancy mostly include,

Pollen
Dust Mites: These little invisible bugs live in dirty and dusty spaces and can cause all sorts of allergic reactions.
Animals
Foods: Nuts of all kinds, all sorts of fruits, shellfish of all kinds, eggs, and the proteins in cow’s milk can all cause reactions
Insects
Medications
Latex
Mold Spores
Chemicals
Exposure to tobacco smoke
Alcohol
People with history of Asthma can also have an exacerbation during this condition.

Ayurvedic reference of Allergies in Pregnancy

Symptoms of Allergies in Pregnancy

When people with allergies breathe in such a substance – which for them is an allergen – their bodies see it as a foreign invader and mounts an immune response. When this happens, the body produces multiple inflammatory chemicals which can cause classic allergic reactions, such as:

Inflammation and swelling of the sinuses
Itchy, watery eyes
Sinus congestion
Sneezing
Sore, itchy throat
Runny nose

In food allergies there will be symptoms like,

Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Indigestion
Diarrhea
Wheezing
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
Hives

In insect bites,

Likely to develop a raised welt around the sting site
Large local reactions to wasp stings include extreme redness andswelling that increases for two or three days after thesting. Nausea and vomiting can also occur

“Institute of Applied Food Allergy® Dr. Gupta’s offers comprehensive and evidence-based diagnosis and presents therapeutic solutions in order effectively manage a spectrum of allergic and immunology related disorders during Pregnancy in Ayurveda”.

A healthy body holds a Healthy Soul & mind! Think about Dr. Gupta’s IAFA for all your worries about health.

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet Management in Allergies in Pregnancy

Do’s (Pathya) in Allergies in Pregnancy

Changing your clothes and washing well after being exposed to the allergen.
Using an air filter in your room, especially the bedroom.
Leaving pets with a friend or relative.
Washing your bedding more often.
Eating a healthy diet, with lots of vegetables and reduced sugar and dairy.
Practicing breathing exercises.

Don’ts (Apathya) in Allergies in Pregnancy

Avoid triggers such as pet dander, dust, or pollen depending on your existing allergies. Adding a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a great way to clean the indoor air and reduce the number of allergens that you are exposed to
Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
Avoid foods due to a fear of creating allergies
Don’t consume alcohol
Raise your head by approximately 30 degrees can help alleviate congestion and increase the airflow through the nostrils

Yoga Therapy for Allergies in Pregnancy

Yoga uses a holistic approach to stress reduction and has been used to promote positive health for centuries. A regular practice of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation provide the relaxation and sound sleep in the pregnancy and also is effective in all kinds of diseases during Pregnancy

Postures include,

Virabhadrasana
Parsvottanasana
Padottanasana
SetuBandhaSarvangasana
Dandasana
Trikonasana
Parvatasana

Pranayama include,

Nadishodhana

Ayurvedic Treatment for Allergies in Pregnancy

Any dietary substance will become Asatmya to a person if there is a weak digestive fire or Agni. Digestive fire of body (Agni) becomes weak due to Ama visa (metabolic toxin) formation in the body and causes imbalance of dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha are life forces) in body. Treatment involves Shamanachikitsa (internal medicines), Shodanachikitsa (Panchakarma therapy), life style modifications and very strict diet regimen. Since Sodhanachikitsa done during pregnancy is less, samanachikitsa will be effective.

Internal Medicines forAllergies in Pregnancy

Guluchyadi Kashaya
Drakshadi Kashaya
HingvadiVati
VaiswanaraChurna

AvipathiChurna
TriphalaChurna
Dadimadighritam

Single herbs used in Allergies in Pregnancy

Haridra (Curcuma longa)
Kutaja (HolarrhenaAntidysenterica)

Bilwa (Aegle marmelos)
Musta (Cyperusrotundus)

References

Charak Samhita Sutrasthana, Tasyasiteeya, Chapter – 6, Sloka 49.
Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharaya Charak Samhita of Chakrapanidutt; sharir-sthan; jatisutriyaadhyay; Chapter – 8, verse 22 (Reprinted), Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi (2004), p. 153.
B. Tripathi (Ed.), Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata, Chikitsa Sansthan; Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, Varanasi (2011), p.782.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are Allergies in Pregnancy?

Answer: All type immune responses occurring in a pregnant woman due to a foreign substance can be included under allergy.

Question: What are the causes of Allergies in Pregnancy?

Answer: It can be either due to the exacerbation of already existing ones like asthma, food allergy etc or to new kind of pollen, dust, insect bite, pets etc.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment of Allergies in Pregnancy?

Answer: Samana (Palliative) medicines are mostly preferred and in some conditions not much medicines are preferred as it interfere with the health of the baby.

Question: Do allergies affect baby during pregnancy?

Answer: Allergies will generally pose a very little effect to the baby but severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis will generally pose the most significant risk that the expectant mother may need to consider.

Question: Do allergies flare up during pregnancy?

Answer: If a person is already prone to allergies, then a person may notice an increase in allergies as pregnancy can increase the sensitivity to the agents like pollens.

Question: How Ayurveda treats allergic reactions during pregnancy?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment of Allergies in Pregnancy includes Shamanchikitsa (internal medications), lifestyle modifications and a very strict diet regimen.