Why Am I Having Allergies During Menopause?

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Menopausal changes that occur during change of life have been linked to over 34 symptoms, some of which are quite unusual. Unlike the familiar menopausal symptoms of hot and cold flashes, heavy unusual sweating, irritability, mood swings, and lapses in memory, for example, many menopausal women are experiencing unexpected allergic reactions. And so, instead of seeking relief from the predictable symptoms, some women find themselves asking, "Why am I having allergies during menopause?

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Change of Life Reactions to Substances And Pollens

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Allergy is described by Webster's Dictionary as, "Abnormal or pathological reaction to environmental substances as pollens, foods, dust, or microorganisms." Pollen is described as, "Dustlike, usually yellow grains containing the male reproductive cells of flowering plants." Many people, especially children may suffer from various reactions to pollens. However, for many women, any substance during menopause is their first encounter.

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Reacting to various substances during change of life is of great concern to the women who are affected. Some of the frequently reported symptoms include: bouts of severe hay fever that present like the common cold; reactions from various foods, fragrances and or perfumes; and asthmatic attacks. I was surprised when a close friend recently told me that her doctor prescribed "an Asthma-pump" for her. With further inquiry, she revealed being thrown in a quandary when she developed frequent bouts of asthma. She said no one in her family has asthma, and she had no prior history herself. However, after many years of being menopausal, she had several frightening experiences with difficulty breathing; tightening in her chest; and wheezing. After various potions and remedies, she was referred to a Pulmonary Specialist who has been added to her list of doctors.

Another acquaintance related a similar story of developing unusual skin reactions during change of life. After months of being menopausal, she reported breaking out in hives and itchy skin on several occasions. Concerned, she visited several doctors, and finally, an Allergist, who determined that her reaction was to fish. The doctor informed her that these reactions during change of life were becoming quite common; and that her skin condition was due to the fish with a hormone-menopause connection. Her avoidance of fish has relieved her symptoms.

The Allergy-hormone Connection

Some women might never experience allergies during menopause. However, for women who do, they can be assured that although the symptoms might be subtle and challenging to diagnose, many doctors are making the connections between these unusual hormonal responses change of life. Women are therefore being encouraged that a visit to the doctor should not be rushed. Time should be spent to explain to the doctor (a) any physical, mental, or lifestyle changes that occurred since her last visit (b) all symptoms being experienced - no matter how mild (c) ask what the doctor thinks might be causing the changes (d) if the doctor suggests treatment, ask for explanations and for alternate treatments (e) explain any past, present and family history that might be related to the allergies. The information you provide your doctor might assist in making a connection between the possible causes of your allergies during menopause.

Why Am I Having Allergies During Menopause?

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Allergy management during pregnancy

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Rhinitis during pregnancy can cause allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is not. If the woman had allergic rhinitis prior to pregnancy may worsen, remain the same or even better. This change of symptoms may depend on many factors, including the presence of seasonal allergens and an increase in pregnancy hormones.

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Allergic rhinitis during pregnancy can not be due to increased hormones of pregnancy, leading to nasal congestion, nasal discharge and post runny nose. This is called "rhinitis of pregnancy". The symptoms can mimic allergies, but since they are not allergic in nature, do not respond to antihistamines.

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Pregnant women who suffer from rhinitis may be concerned about the safety of drugs during pregnancy, so avoid taking medications.

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If you avoid allergy triggers is not possible or fails, you may need medications to control symptoms.

The allergic rhinitis during pregnancy

Allergy testing> include skin tests or blood tests, called RAST. In general, allergy testing is not done on the skin during pregnancy, given the low likelihood of anaphylaxis, can occur. Anaphylaxis in pregnancy, it could seriously lead to a decrease in the supply of blood and oxygen to the uterus, can cause fetal harm. Therefore, allergy testing is usually deferred during pregnancy, although a RAST is a safe alternative, if the results are needed toPregnancy.

Safety-allergy medications during pregnancy

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as no drugs are completely safe during pregnancy. This is because no pregnant woman wants to register for a study of drug safety, while she is pregnant. Therefore, the FDA has assigned risk categories for drug use during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Category "A" drugs are prescription drugs, where they show good studies in pregnant womendrug safety, the child in the first three months. There are very few drugs in this class, and no medication for asthma.

Class "B" show a good drug safety studies in animals during pregnancy, but there are no human studies available.

Pregnancy category "C" drugs may have adverse effects on the fetus during pregnancy, when he studied the results of the animals, but the benefits of these medications can pose risks to humans.

"D" medications showclear risk to the fetus, but there may be cases where the benefits outweigh the risks to humans. And, finally, show signs category "X" clear birth defects in animal drugs and / or human studies and should not be used during pregnancy.

Before any medication taken during pregnancy, the doctor and the patient have a risk / benefit discussion. This means that the benefits of the drug must be weighed against the risks - and the drug should only be taken if theBenefits outweigh the risks.

The treatment of pregnancy rhinitis

Nasal saline. Rhinitis of pregnancy tends to not respond to antihistamines or nasal sprays. This statement seems at times to respond to nasal saline (salt water), which is certainly in use during pregnancy (actually not a drug). Nasal saline is available over the counter, is inexpensive and can be used as often as necessary. 3-6 sprays are generally placed in each nostril, so that the saline in the nose30 seconds, then fly.

Antihistamines. Older antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine, are the preferred agents for the treatment of allergic rhinitis during pregnancy, and are both new antihistamine drug class BI, as over-the-counter loratadine (Claritin ® / Alavert ®, generic forms) and prescription cetirizine (Zyrtec ®) are also a Class B drug for pregnancy.

Decongestants. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed ®, many genericModules) is the preferred oral decongestant to treat allergic rhinitis and nonallergic during pregnancy, although it should be avoided during the entire first quarter, as the child is related gastroschisis. This medication is pregnancy category C.

Medical nasal spray. Cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom ®, generics) is useful in the treatment of allergic rhinitis if used before allergen exposure and before symptoms appear. This drug is a pregnancyClass B is available over the counter. If this drug is not useful to have a nasal steroid budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua ®), recently received a rating of pregnancy category B (all others are Class C), and would be the nasal steroid of choice during pregnancy.

Immunotherapy. Allergy shots can be continued during pregnancy, but it is not advisable to start treatment during pregnancy. Typically, the dose of allergy shots is not increased, and manyAllergists cuts the dose of allergy shot 50 percent during pregnancy. Some allergists feel that allergy shots should be discontinued during pregnancy because the risk of anaphylaxis and risk to the fetus as a result. Unlike anaphylaxis, there is no data that show that allergy shots are actually dangerous to the fetus.

Allergy management during pregnancy

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