Overview
When someone has rhinitis during pregnancy, they may experience three to five sinus infections per month. Most commonly, they have rhinitis that may last several weeks. Most symptoms are mild and affect only one side of the face. If sinus infections last for weeks and do not get better, or if you have pain or pressure in your sinuses or hear a clicking or popping when you breathe, you should see your health care provider. More common colds may cause mild rhinitis. While the cause of a sore throat and fever may be a virus, it can also be a symptom of rhinitis.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make it difficult for you to sleep. If you have a problem with your eyes, the trigger could be a cold or allergies that make your eyes water. Sometimes the issue will go away without any action. Other times, there is a simple fix for a problem you’ve been having for some time.
Pregnancy drip can be described as a sudden onset of constant stomach discomfort or runny nose or fever. If you’re not in the habit of eating spicy foods, it’s not likely you’ll be able to identify a pregnancy drip when it strikes. You might mistake it for “morning sickness” or stomach pains or fevers. Pregnancy drip doesn’t usually get better after a couple of days. It can be worse. It might last for several hours or the whole day, and it’s likely to prevent you from sleeping well.
What is Rhinitis?
Rhinitis is a term that describes inflammation in the nose. Rhinitis is a type of allergy, which is triggered when a person’s immune system mistakenly identifies a different substance as being harmful. Rhinitis during pregnancy can cause pregnancy complications. It is important to monitor any complications that may arise during your pregnancy.
These infections include the nasal lining, the sinuses, the throat, and the lungs. Most allergic rhinitis causes nasal congestion and affects about 25 percent of adults. In the U.S. Rhinitis can also affect the middle ear, causing symptoms such as ringing in the ears. Commonly, this leads to an irregular heartbeat and can be a risk factor for damage to the ear canal, as well as a type of hearing loss. A 2009 study found that rhinitis often occurs in those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A study done in 2007 found that rhinitis can be a sign of low blood levels of white blood cells, or “leukocytes.” This means that the immune system is not functioning properly and is unable to fight off infections, viruses, and other invaders. Low levels of white blood cells may also result in anemia, the medical term for low red blood cell count.
What are the signs of rhinitis during pregnancy?
Nausea, headache, and fatigue are common symptoms of rhinitis during pregnancy.
Symptoms can include
- Redness of the eyes and skin
- Sore throat
- Swollen nose and eyes
- Runny, crusty, or full nose
- Blinking, sneezing, or whistling sound
- Oyster sinus syndrome
- Pyriform sinusitis
- Rhinitis with conjunctivitis
- Periorbital congestion
- Rhinitis with nasal polyps
Some pregnant women have an itchy, scaly, or burning feeling in their nose which is known as rhinitis sinecures.
Symptoms of this type of rhinitis include
- Itching of the skin
- White patches on the skin of the eyes
- Changes in the discharge of a pregnant woman’s nasal passages
- Sinusitis and postnasal drip
Sinusitis is inflammation of the upper and lower nasal cavities.
A postnasal drip is a mucus, often yellow or green, in the back of the nasal passage that drips out of the nose during sleep.
Mucus is a thick secretion that helps regulate the temperature of the body. When the nose is too dry, the body produces more mucus to coat the walls and protect the nose.
Low-grade fever, lethargy, fatigue, and loss of appetite are the most common symptoms of rhinitis.
Common symptoms of rhinitis during pregnancy
- Hearing a ringing sound in the ear
- Swollen nasal glands
- Occasional shortness of breath
Rhinitis experience during pregnancy
- Frequent sinus infections
- Nosebleeds
- Sore throat
- Lumpy, cracked, or red sinuses
- Sore sinuses that won’t drain
- Plaque build-up in your sinuses
- Visual changes in your sinuses, such as swelling, plugs, blockages, or a coating of pus
- Fluid from your sinuses may sometimes come out of your nose or ears
It’s hard to know which symptoms are due to rhinitis of pregnancy and which are due to pregnancy-related conditions such as sinusitis or nasal polyps.
When symptoms occur, they can also result in postnasal drip, which is when a person’s nose produces an excess of mucus.
Dry airways
Rhinitis in pregnancy is very common. It is often caused by dry or dusty air.
Common causes of dry airways include
- Certain weather conditions
- Certain plants and their products
- Dust from clothing
- Certain allergies
- Gum disease
- Certain allergies
- Certain types of allergy are a known cause of rhinitis during pregnancy.
Common allergens are listed below
Pollen
Certain trees, grasses, weeds, and even dust mites have pollen in them. A pregnant woman may experience symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which are hives and red itchy eyes.
Tea and certain fruits
A person may experience allergic rhinitis after consuming tea or certain fruits. Tea contains tannins, which is a type of bitter agent. People can get allergic reactions to tannins.
Certain types of tea may be particularly irritating
- Black tea
- Porcupine
- Ginger
- Sesame
- Chamomile
Causes of Rhinitis
Severe rhinitis can be a symptom of an underlying disease. If the disease causes an increase in the size of the sinuses, the flu-like symptoms may be the result of rhinitis.
- Allergies
- Antibiotics and other medicines
- Stress
- Exposure to dust mites
Natural ways to deal with your congested sinuses while pregnant
Treatment is often not needed if the symptoms are mild. Most sinus infections clear up on their own in three to four weeks. Most women will only need antibiotics to treat severe sinus infections.
Sinus infections during pregnancy should be treated by your health care provider, who will refer you to a doctor who specializes in sinus infection management.
Treatment options with doctor
Aspirin
To clear up congestion, try taking aspirin or another non-narcotic pain reliever. The pain-relieving effect will get rid of any stiffness you have in your sinuses.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines can help relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion. But be sure to give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the medication before you return to work. And you may need to up your dose to be effective.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is another way to fight congestion. This is a great idea for mothers who have been pregnant and have problems with their sinuses. If you can drink the juice, your mom might be able to as well!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can also help your body fight against the infection. This is helpful if you’ve been pregnant and have been sick for a while.
Vitamin B6
Adding B6 to your diet can help you to get some relief from the congestion and to bring your blood pressure back to normal.
Orange juice
Oranges contain citric acid. The citric acid in the orange juice can help clear out your sinuses and help you get a clear runny nose. If your sinuses get too congested, orange juice can swell them up even more. So if you drink too much, you’ll only make it worse.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s also come from fish oil, and they’re known for helping with sinus problems. But you need to be sure to buy high-quality fish oil and don’t mix with other kinds. Also, just eating oily fish isn’t enough. You have to eat fish oil as well.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay can be helpful for some people, and it’s a good idea to buy some and try it out. It can help to loosen up your sinuses and help you breathe better.
Nasal saline rinse
Taking a saline rinse after you’ve taken your vitamin C, B6, and fish oil can help you get better faster. It will help to eliminate the mucus and get you feeling better.
Tons of vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the best vitamins for your body, but you need to make sure you’re getting the right amount. Too little, and you’ll not effect. Too much and it’ll be hard to get rid of the infection. But remember, most of the time you don’t want to take more than 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily. That’s enough to get you feeling better, but not so much that you won’t be able to get rid of the sinus infection.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are another great natural ingredient to take for rhinitis problems. They help to clear the nasal passage, and some experts say they also help to remove excess mucus. But you don’t have to take them in large amounts. Take 400 mg of vitamin C three times a day to get the full effect. Take a teaspoon of vitamin C in a glass of warm water, and drink it. You can also take a high-potency multivitamin that has a lot of vitamin C and drink that first.
Drugs to treat Rhinitis
Penicillin or amoxicillin are the two most common anti-infective drugs used to treat rhinitis infections.
These medications can treat both mild and severe infections. They work best if the infection is located in one or more sinus cavities.
Zithromax (Z-Pak) is a common antibiotic that helps reduce the number of bacteria in your sinus cavities.
Prevention
The only way to prevent an infection is to avoid getting an infection in the first place. You can minimize your risk of infection during pregnancy by, vaccinating your unborn baby against common infections. Avoiding hot or humid environments, such as sleeping, working, or running for a long time. Washing your hands often.
Avoiding sharing your toothbrush and other household items with people who have sinus problems. Avoiding touching your face, and don’t share toothbrushes, makeup brushes, or other items that can transfer bacteria to your face.
It is important to keep the symptoms under control by avoiding triggers and taking preventative measures.
- Quitting smoking
- Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Using saline nasal drops
- Avoiding substances like air fresheners, perfumes, and perfume-filled air
- fresheners
- Avoiding blue light at night
Anxiety is one of the most common triggers of rhinitis during pregnancy, especially in the first and second trimester. Exposure to stress can also play a role. Stress alone is enough to trigger an attack. These triggers and factors need to be avoided as much as possible.
Eating foods which contain antihistamines, such as applesauce or banana.
Bottom Line
Doctors usually diagnose these infections with an imaging scan, but the condition can also be diagnosed by a doctor based on symptoms and physical examination. Without treatment, this infection can last for months. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to speed up the process of resolving the infection.
Sirisha B