Rhinitis of Pregnancy – What It Is, What To Do About It
Miracles
Yes, growing a new human inside you is a miracle, one of life’s wonders.
Something to cherish, and we men envy this about you.
You – woman – are amazing!
But, we don’t envy the physiological toll that pregnancy collects from you women – pregnancy, for all of its beauty, can be physically grueling.
Less Space for Everything Else
We are all familiar with the challenges that the growing fetus places on ever-smaller room in mommy’s body – less room for your bladder to expand makes for ever more frequent restroom visits; compression of veins causes venous congestion, and swollen ankles; extra weight in the front causes aches in the back, etc.
Oddly, one of the symptoms of pregnancy that we seldom hear about is one of the most common: nasal congestion.
Complaining
Perhaps we don’t hear about it because women are too tough to complain about one more symptom. I know that if men were experiencing this, we would ALL hear about it. Me? I’m an absolute baby when I have a cold.
However, I can tell you, from watching pregnant friends try to cope with complete nasal obstruction for month after month during their pregnancies, it can be miserable.
Pregnancy Rhinitis: What is it?
Pregnancy Rhinitis refers to the uncomfortable condition of severe nasal congestion – a stuffy nose – that troubles many women during pregnancy. It may affect more than 30% of women during pregnancy!
It can occur at any time during pregnancy, but most commonly begins during the first trimester. It can last for the entire pregnancy!
And it can be absolutely miserable. Imagine living with nasal congestion, or even complete obstruction, making it impossible to breathe through your nose (like your worst “cold”), for 24 hours per day for months!
What causes Pregnancy Rhinitis?
Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause swelling of the lining of the nose, resulting in congestion. When it is severe enough, it can cause complete nasal obstruction.
The result is similar to the effect of a bad “cold”. Occasionally Pregnancy Rhinitis includes over-production of secretions (mucus) and a resulting runny nose (Rhinorrhea) to accompany the misery of congestion.
What are the Symptoms?
Not all women have all these symptoms, but overall, the effects are usually similar to Allergic Rhinitis or Sinusitis, or a bad “cold”:
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing, coughing
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
- Facial pressure, sinus congestion
- Headache
What Can You Do About It?
Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms.
Some options include:
- Nasal decongestants. If you are pregnant, you should discuss any medications, including over the counter (OTC) medications, with your physician before taking. Some OB/Gyn physicians believe that decongestants are okay during pregnancy; others do not. Ask yours.
- Antihistamines. Many of the symptoms of Pregnancy Rhinitis may be caused by, or at least made worse by, the release of histamines – similar to allergic rhinitis. Antihistamines can help control severe symptoms. As noted above, use of any medications during your pregnancy should be discussed with your physician. First-generation antihistamines have been deemed safe during pregnancy and lactation.
- The best option to help reduce the swelling of the lining of the nose is nasal saline rinsing. Many people have recently been discovering the benefits of the neti pot for nasal rinsing, and there are even easier ways to rinse the nose with salt water. Whatever the method used, saline nasal rinsing can help a woman with Pregnancy Rhinitis to maintain an open nasal airway and help reduce the runny-nose symptom. The use of nasal saline rinsing is completely safe during pregnancy.
What Else Can You Do?
Here are some general tips to help keep you breathing through your nose during your Pregnancy Rhinitis:
- Elevate the head of your bed to help reduce nasal congestion, and the sense of facial pressure and fullness.
- Non-impact, moderate exercise will help you optimize overall health during pregnancy, but will also help reduce nasal congestion and rhinitis symptoms. Discuss any exercise program during pregnancy with your physician.
- Use a steam-vaporizer humidifier in your bedroom at night for healthy level of humidity. Be sure to turn it off during the day and open up the room to air out to avoid possible mold problems.
- A steamy shower may help clear your nose – just like when you have a cold.
- Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids.
- Get plenty of sleep to maintain a healthy immune system, not to mention to help you grow that healthy little human inside you!
- Don’t even THINK about smoking. Avoid smoke and other irritants.
The lining of your nose may be particularly sensitive to irritants during your pregnancy.
This might also be a good time to eliminate toxins from your household. For your nose, and for that little person growing inside you.
That means you should minimize your exposure to chemical irritants (like chlorinated water at the pool), or particulate irritants in your home (minimize use of the wood-burning stove), or inevitable irritants like the ubiquitous dust mites (put away the stuffed toys).
Following these tips should help you reduce the symptoms of your Pregnancy Rhinitis.
And, congratulations!
We’re all envious of your miracle.
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Leave a comment and tell us about YOUR experience with Pregnancy Rhinitis.
How did you cope?
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Image Credit: A beautiful series of photos from Khaled El-Hage, on flickr.com:
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20 Responses to “Rhinitis of Pregnancy – What It Is, What To Do About It”
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04. Mar, 2011
[...] Tune in to boogordoctor.com for additional steps that may help reduce symptoms of Pregnancy Rhinitis. [...]
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12. Mar, 2011
[...] did some more research on what to do and came across this funny website called THE BOOGOR DOCTOR – this is what he had to say about what to do about pregnancy [...]
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19. Dec, 2011
[...] its actually nothing to do with weather changes! its called pregnancy rhinitis and is common in around 30% of us pregnant woman, myself included! Its miserable to live with! Read this for tips that may help http://www.boogordoctor.com/2011/03/…o-do-about-it/ [...]
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29. Dec, 2011
[...] to dust, toxins; eat healthy (duh), get plenty of rest (good luck). Re-visit an old post on the Rhinitis of Pregnancy: What it is, What to Do About It? for more [...]
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28. Jan, 2012
[...] from a little self-care measures at home. It can not cure the disease, but certainly relieve the Pregnancy Rhinitis symptoms during pregnancy. These [...]
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04. Apr, 2012
[...] out of the car easily. Crossing my legs. Sleeping painlessly. Breathing through my nose (I have rhinitis of pregnancy), belts, jeans, walking, running, biking, moving, not being [...]
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Welcome
Hello and thank you for stopping by "Ask the Boogor Doctor". This site is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health for your children, following an integrative holistic approach to care of the Pediatric Airway: pediatric sinusitis, allergies, asthma, rhinitis, reflux, otitis, and all pediatric ENT.
Together, you and I will ... More...
MKR
09. Jan, 2012
Thanks for this article. My doctor hadn’t heard of this!
lee
04. Feb, 2012
How do you know if it not a sinus infection my docter prescribed me amoxicilln she didn’t mention anything about it possibly having something to do with the pregnancy
Russell A. Faust, PhD, MD
06. Feb, 2012
Hi Lee,
Sorry for my delayed reply: Sinusitis that requires antibiotic treatment is an infection, and should be accompanied by the signs and symptoms of an infected sinus – pain, pressure, foul (thick, green, yucky, smelly) discharge from the sinuses, fevers. Rhinitis of pregnancy is due to the effect of hormonal changes on the lining of the nose. Fortunately, BOTH of these diagnoses will benefit from simply daily saline nasal rinses :))
You might also try those “breathe-strips” that are little springy things with tape on them, that you press onto the outside of your nose for sleeping – they help keep the nose open even with all that extra swelling inside caused by your pregnancy. That combination – daily (maybe even twice daily) saline rinses and breathe-strips for sleeping – can make a world of difference!
And, congratulations on growing a new life! I’m envious.
RF
Christina
21. Feb, 2012
I’m glad I found your sight. This is my 3rd pregnancy, my first pregnancy I had the sinus problem almost my whole pregnancy and I hated it. I tried everything & nothing worked I just sealed with it. With my 2nd pregnany I had it only for the 1st 4 months. I’m 15 weeks with this pregnancy & my sinus’s are kicking my butt. With my other 2 pregnancies I didn’t have the itchy eyes or the sneezing, with this pregnancy I do. I’m just hoping it goes away soon because I can’t sleep like this.
Russell A. Faust, PhD, MD
24. Feb, 2012
Hi Christina,
Sorry to hear about your sinus issues. Incredible how common this “rhinitis of pregnancy” is, but how we just don’t hear about it much. I think that, given all of the other issues that you deal with during pregnancy, most women don’t want to complain about something so “simple” as a stuffy nose. On the other hand, there is just no way I would be able to breathe through only my mouth for months at a time! Congratulations on your pregnancy, and thank you for visiting, and for sharing. I hope that the info here is helpful for you. If so, please share with your friends. Consider signing up for the email/newsletter (free!) for easy updates without visiting the website.
RF
Lisa
31. Mar, 2012
This article doesn’t mention nosebleeds. I’ve had a couple recently and have heard it can be related to this as well. Is there anything different to keep in mind for that, or just this same advice? Thanks!
Russell A. Faust, PhD, MD
31. Mar, 2012
Hi Lisa,
Great question.
Nose bleeds – epistaxis – is a topic that I have written about several times here on this blog. Here are a few links:
http://www.boogordoctor.com/2010/03/6-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-your-childs-nose-bleeds/
http://www.boogordoctor.com/2011/10/some-simple-steps-to-reduce-you-childs-nose-bleeds-video/
http://www.boogordoctor.com/2011/09/what-to-look-for-in-a-humidifier-an-update/
http://www.boogordoctor.com/2010/03/8-reasons-to-see-a-physician-for-your-childs-nose-bleeds/
http://www.boogordoctor.com/2010/03/anatomy-nose-bleeds/
Hope those help. Focus on the first one – 6 things you can do to reduce your child’s nose bleeds.
Best success, and thanks for visiting. Please let us know how it’s going!
RF
Bethany
05. Apr, 2012
I have the awful feeling of mucous stuck in my throat. It makes me very panicky/claustrophobic. Would this be related to rhinitis? Thanks!
Russell A. Faust, PhD, MD
28. Apr, 2012
Hi Bethany,
Yes, what you describe is “post-nasal drip,” or drainage of nasal secretions down the throat from the back of the nose. Take a look at the various articles here on rhinitis, and especially those about nasal saline rinses. Thanks for visiting, and please stop back and let us know whether the saline rinses help reduce that sensation!
RF
Bethany
30. Apr, 2012
Thank you so much Dr. Faust! \
Kelly R.
27. Apr, 2012
I’m 15 weeks pregnant and am losing sleep because of my inability to breath due to this issue. I just saw my doctor and he recommended that I take Zrytec which I have for the past few days but of course I now have severe dry mouth and am still losing sleep. I know how important sleep is and am very worried about my sanity due toy lack of sleep. I’ve done the hot showers and many other remedies to no relief. I clear up by the end of the day but the swelling and mucus return as soon as I fall asleep. Please help me so that the only reason I wake up at night for is a potty break. Thank you
Russell A. Faust, PhD, MD
28. Apr, 2012
Hi Kelly,
Sorry to hear about your congestion. Pregnancy rhinitis can be terrible to live with! I don’t really have anything beyond the recommendations in my article. Nasal saline rinses, elevate the head of your bed: consider placing a brick under the foot on each side at the head of your bed to elevate it by a couple inches. DO NOT use nasal decongestants – either oral, or topical nasal sprays! They are addicting, and the rebound effect, combined with your pregnancy rhinitis, would be unbearable! AND, you cannot be given the medications that would help to kick that habit. So … steer clear of nasal decongestants while pregnant. Oh, and congratulations! Being a parent is very cool.
RF
penny
02. May, 2012
hi all, im on my 3rd pregnancy, its the 1st time ive suffered from rhinitis and its awful! Im 15 weeks now and its getting worse each day. Im using a steroid nasal spray, antihistamines, breathe right srips at night and all for a tiny bit of relief at night. My doctor said ABSOLUTELY NOT to use saline rinses as its salt based and can raise the blood pressure! Ive found honey in a hot drink or on toast can help, its a natural alternative. Failing that, put a teaspoon in a bowl of hot water and breathe in the vapours. Completely natural and safe! :-)
Russell A. Faust, PhD, MD
02. May, 2012
Hi Penny,
Sorry to hear about your struggle with Rhinitis of Pregnancy. You should know that nasal saline rinses ARE recommended by obstetricians for this condition. After asking my OB/G colleagues about this warning that you received, they have reassured me that you are safe unless you INGEST all that saline (salt water). Perhaps your doc mis-understood somehow? I’m sure they mean well.
Here is a good site for allergic rhinitis, in general, and for rhinitis of pregnancy: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-allergic-rhinitis-seasonal-allergies-beyond-the-basics
Thanks for visiting, and for sharing. Please check back and let us know how things are going for you, and whether this misunderstanding with your OB/G gets resolved.
RF