Q&A: What is the best way to treat seasonal allergies while TTC?

'Tis the season for runny noses and itchy eyes if you suffer from seasonal allergies. While trying to conceive, it is best to avoid most medications due to the risk of possible side effects to your baby should you become pregnant while taking the drugs. Talk to your healthcare providers about what they consider safe.

Actions you can take to reduce your exposure to allergens (and potentially avoid medications) include:

• Use your air conditioner if possible
• Change air filters frequently
• Wash face and hands after being outdoors
• Wash your hands or avoid contact with cats or dogs that have been outdoors
• Use a neti pot or saline nasal spray to keep nasal passages clean
• Avoid gardening or yard work activities when possible
• Use warm saltwater gargles for sore throat
• Place cool washcloths over itchy eyes or rinse with cool water

If you have children in the house already, reducing allergens in the home will help them stay comfortable too and may reduce the need for medications.

The following medications are assumed to be safe if necessary:
For headache due to seasonal allergy: Tylenol (acetaminophen)
For other allergy symptoms: Benadryl, Claritin*, and Zyrtec*
*Opinions may vary based on your practitioner. These medications are probably safe. They are category B medications, which are considered to be safe in pregnancy. Long-term studies on many medications cannot be done on pregnant women due to ethical concerns. If you can, try the nonmedication alternatives first.
As always, you should talk to your doctor before you begin taking any medication while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.