Achoooo! What has helped your seasonal allergies?

[stellabluz]

Im super miserable and in one of the worst areas for pollen, dust, molds. Have been all my life, but I am wondering if anyone has had any luck with any natural/ homeopic rememdies for seasonal allergies while pregnant. Im not doing any OTC's or goats milk which I heard is good, shy-ing away from local honey as chronic yeast has been a major issue this time around... Any suggestions? Im in so-cal and we are in full bloom over here~hills are pertty with yellow mustard and the sun is shinin but all I want to do is seal myself up indoors :(

[Jaimee]

I neti pot religiously to help with my allergies.  I know for more severe sufferers it may not do much at all, but I find it keeps mine down to a tolerable level.  I haven't had any luck with homeopathics, herbs or acupuncture, which are the other things I've tried.  When they get so bad I can't even function, I have to take something.  Benedryl tends to knock people out, so that may not be an option, but I do know that several other types of medications are considered safe to take while pregnant.  I go for a nasal inhaler b/c I can take it every couple of days and reap the benefits and it's tissue specific instead of systemic.  But you have to do what you're comfortable with.   Sorry you feel lousy mama!

[stellabluz]

Thank you Jaimee! Is your nasal spray a script? I think some of them are class B for pregnancy which I may do at this point, do you have one in particular you like?~ and...So you neti like 5 times a day? I have just been flushing my nostrils out by sucking up water through my nose (ouch) and havent tried a neti pot yet so may go for that~thanks so much!

A

[Jaimee]

Oh, yes, a neti pot with salt is SO much nicer than rinsing with straight water.  You'll see just how easy it is once you try it.  There are videos online to help you get started if you're worried about head angle and what not so that the water doesn't go down your throat.  A lot of natural grocers sell them.  My advice is to use non-iodinized salt.  I use sea salt and haven't had any issues, though I know some people are more sensitive and prefer regular salt.  I use it at least once a day, but if things are bad I'll do it 2 or 3 times in a day. 

I use rhinocort nasal spray when things are really bad, which is an Rx, but it's cat B and as I mentioned, I find I can take it every couple of days and feel the benefits instead of taking it twice daily.  Though your allergies may be more severe than mine!  Claritin and Zyrtec are also both cat B and you can get those over the counter.