Pregnancy & Baby 

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Antihistamines: Safe during pregnancy?

The general advice that, to be safe, no active form of drug or medication should be taken during pregnancy is good advice, unless it is either prescribed or recommended by a doctor or it forms a necessary part of treatment for an ongoing medical condition. This is especially true during the first trimester (the first 12 weeks of pregnancy), when the critical period of foetal development takes place.

Although allergic-type symptoms can be distressing and irritating – like those resulting in hay fever, for example – nearly all of the antihistamines available (and there are over 24 branded names) are either contraindicated or must be used with special precautions during pregnancy. Antihistamines really are best avoided, and I am sure you would feel happier doing so.

If the symptoms are really bothering you, go and get advice from your doctor. The use of local topical treatments – which you may have used for skin irritations resulting from allergies – would certainly be safer. In the case of severe allergic reactions, your doctor will always be able to use adrenaline or some other treatment.

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