Why is runny nose a symptom of pregnancy

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It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Sharing our experiences of pregnancy and infant loss can help us heal. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. Is rhinitis dangerous during pregnancy? Causes of rhinitis of pregnancy. How is rhinitis of pregnancy treated? What to avoid. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

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From nausea to fatigue, know what to expect. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Error: This is required. Error: Not a valid value. Many pregnant women know the feeling of a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and post-nasal drip that seem to come out of nowhere during pregnancy.

While it's not a life-threatening medical condition, pregnancy rhinitis can be very troublesome — so what can you do to find some relief? Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis are similar to those of allergic rhinitis 'hay fever' and include a runny, itchy or congested nose, sneezing and watery eyes. While it might feel like you are getting a cold , pregnancy rhinitis is not associated with bacterial or viral infection and is therefore not contagious.

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nose. Women who are affected by allergies are likely to also experience similar symptoms during pregnancy. In these circumstances, symptoms are triggered by one or more allergens that may be seasonal such as, pollens, fungi or moulds or perennial , or year-round, such as dust mites, pets or cockroaches. Rhinitis in pregnancy may also have a non-allergic origin. Smoking is associated with pregnancy rhinitis, and it's never too late for pregnant women — and their partners — to quit smoking.

Pregnancy rhinitis should be distinguished from other conditions such as infections, and your doctor can do this during a routine visit.

X-rays and blood tests are usually not required to diagnose pregnancy rhinitis. Pregnancy rhinitis should not cause significant breathing problems.

If you feel you can't get enough air, your chest feels very tight, you are breathless or feel like you're being suffocated it might be a sign of a medical problem.

If you have unexplained breathing problems, especially if they are severe and come on quickly, call triple zero for an ambulance. While pregnancy rhinitis can occur at any time during pregnancy, it is most common during the first trimester.

Symptoms may last for at least 6 weeks, but the good news is they usually disappear within 2 weeks after your baby's birth. If your pregnancy rhinitis is triggered by a known allergen, you can try and avoid or limit your exposure. Nasal symptoms caused by pregnancy typically resolve within about 10 days after you have your baby.

To be considered true rhinitis of pregnancy, no other known causes such as allergies or an upper respiratory infection can be causing your symptoms. Symptoms of rhinitis during pregnancy include:. Studies have shown that pregnancy-related nasal congestion can decrease the quality of life in people who are pregnant.

In severe cases, it can be dangerous for the fetus particularly if the pregnant person has underlying asthma. The cause of pregnancy-induced nasal symptoms is not entirely understood but has long been thought to be caused by changing hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone.

This theory might be supported by the fact that some people report nasal symptoms which coincide with their menstrual cycles. Symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis have also been reported with the use of birth control pills.

Congestion can lead to more serious conditions such as sinus infections or ear infections, which need to be treated with antibiotics. Keeping congestion under control can prevent these infections. Nasal irrigation with a neti pot is the first-line treatment.

Be sure to use distilled or boiled and cooled water rather than water that is straight from the tap. Some tips for managing congestion during pregnancy include:. If the measures above are not sufficient to keep your symptoms under control, you can talk to your healthcare provider about using one or more of the following medications, which may help you manage more severe cases of pregnancy rhinitis.

Inhaled nasal corticosteroids are often used to control asthma during pregnancy. They may be used in some cases to control pregnancy-induced nasal symptoms. The first choice is Rhinocort budesonide , as studies show it is generally safe to use during pregnancy.

However, if budesonide is not effective other nasal corticosteroids may be used. Most nasal decongestants are not considered safe during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Nasal decongestants such as Afrin oxymetazoline are very effective at temporarily relieving congestion.