Pregnancy Rhinitis: Decoding This Pesky Mystery

Is runny nose and itchy eyes worsening your overall discomfort during pregnancy? Then you could be suffering from pregnancy rhinitis!¹Pregnancy rhinitis is the term used to define nasal congestion experienced by pregnant women.^{2 3}  While it’s not a life-threatening condition, it is most certainly very annoying. 

So what causes this bothersome yet benign condition? And how to treat it? And can it be a potential threat to you or your developing baby? This blog will help you find all such answers that you’re looking for. But let's get started with the cause of pregnancy rhinitis first.

Pregnancy Rhinitis - Causes

While the exact cause of pregnancy rhinitis remains a mystery so far, researchers have documented a few possible factors:^{4 5}

• Hormonal fluctuations: The fluctuations in the levels of estrogen, progesterone, placental growth hormone, and human growth hormone during pregnancy may cause swelling of the nasal mucosa. The inflammation leads to increased blood flow to the nasal passages and a resultant increase in the size of nasal veins. This causes nasal congestion.
• Increased blood volume: Your body tends to produce more blood during pregnancy that can cause swelling of the nasal veins due to increased blood volume.
• Smoking: Smoking predisposes a pregnant woman to rhinitis by acting like an irritant, thus worsening nasal congestion.
• Exposure to allergens: Allergens like pollen, fungi, moulds, dust mites, pets and cockroaches may also trigger the symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis.

When Does Pregnancy Rhinitis Start?

Women usually experience the symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis in their second trimester after which they disappear, only to reappear in the late pregnancy. Nevertheless, they can appear anytime throughout your pregnancy.¹

Pregnancy Rhinitis Symptoms

The symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis can often be confused with a common cold or other similar conditions. These include:¹

• Nasal congestion
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Post-nasal drip (excess mucus dripping down the back of the throat)
• Runny nose
• Reduced sense of smell
• Increased ear pressure
• Disturbed sleep

Pregnancy Rhinitis - Treatment

The treatment of pregnancy rhinitis is aimed towards providing relief from symptoms and improving overall comfort. The general treatment options include preventive measures and sometimes medications. These are:

Avoiding allergens: It is best to avoid certain allergens or irritants such as smoke, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, or strong odours. These make your pregnancy rhinitis worse.⁴

Exercise: Exercise may not just relieve nasal congestion but also help in getting better sleep.⁵ 

Physical position: Keeping the head of your bed raised at 45 degrees can also help in easing the discomfort.⁵

Medication-free saline sprays: A saline wash prepared at home or a neti-pot, aids in clearing the nasal passage of allergens and improving airflow.⁴

Using pregnancy-safe medications: Certain antihistamines can be taken under the guidance of a medical professional to ease symptoms in severe cases.⁴

Oral decongestants: Sometimes, when non-medicated options or antihistamines don’t work, oral decongestants are recommended by a doctor. However, it is important to note that oral decongestants taken in the 1st trimester may cause a slightly heightened risk of birth defects in the baby.⁴

How Long Does Pregnancy Rhinitis Last?

The symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis may come and go. Generally, they last for around 6 weeks and go away after the delivery of the baby.

Pregnancy Rhinitis Complications

There is insufficient evidence to show the direct impact of pregnancy rhinitis on the baby. However, anything that negatively affects the mother’s quality of life would ultimately impact the developing fetus.

A long-lasting nasal congestion can also lead to sinusitis and ear infections.

Furthermore, women suffering from pregnancy rhinitis tend to use nasal decongestants for an extended duration, which puts them at risk of developing rhinitis medicamentosa. It is an inflammatory condition of the inner lining of the nose, that results from the overuse of nasal decongestants, commonly referred to as rebound rhinitis.

Conclusion

While pregnancy rhinitis is usually harmless, it’s important to check with your doctor if you have any of its symptoms. That’s because the symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis may easily be confused with other similar conditions. Being well informed about the condition is also helpful as you’ll find relief knowing what to expect & how long your symptoms would last.

While you take measures to protect your health during this crucial phase and ensure your unborn baby’s health, take a step to safeguard their future health even before they are born. Preserve their cord blood stem cells at birth and protect them & your entire family from the impact of 80+ deadly medical conditions. To learn more, call 18002665533 or visit www.lifecell.in.

*Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

FAQs

Q1. What Causes Pregnancy Rhinitis?

Pregnancy rhinitis may be caused due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Other causes include smoking, allergens and an increased blood volume.

Q2. When Do The Symptoms Of Pregnancy Rhinitis Start?

The symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis can start at anytime during the pregnancy.

Q3. What Measures Can Be Taken To Ease Discomfort In Pregnancy Rhinitis?

Avoiding allergens, exercising and keeping your bed’s head side elevated during sleep can help with minimising pregnancy rhinitis discomfort. If these don’t help, medications can be taken under the guidance of a professional.

Q4. Is Pregnancy Rhinitis Harmful To My Baby?

While there is inconclusive evidence to show the direct impact of pregnancy rhinitis on the baby, a poor quality of mother’s life would ultimately impact their development.