Allergies and Eczema are driving me crazy!

[BlessedMommy]

This is probably just a gripe or a rant but my allergies are really bad right now! I took some Benedryl when it got really bad but I can't take that all the time, as I would be a barely functioning vegetable.

My sister says that eating massive amounts of garlic helps clear up her sinuses. So I'm trying to dutifully munch garlic! At least garlic isn't bad for me! Any other thoughts or tricks on how to minimize allergies while pg without drugs?

[sdsams]

Mine were bad already to the point I've taken allergy shots the past several years. Fortunately they are still safe enough to take while pregnant. One thing that has helped tremendously is the NeilMed Sinus Rinse. It's a saline rinse you literally spray up one nostril while is comes out the other. I know, sounds gross. It's very safe for pregnant women and has helped me a lot. I bought mine at Walgreens. It's definitely worth the try.

[breezykc]

yeah, i suffer bad from allergies and being preggo can't take anything for being higher risk this time....I use the vaporizer with menthol vaporizer syrup added to the water and sit with a towel over my head for about 15 minutes.....ahhhhh, relief! Or saline nasal spray helps in the mornings and hot showers at night with vicks open in the small shut off room for about 20 minutes...i just set the open container on teh shower caddy right next to my head! Boiling fresh ginger root is supposed to really help congestion clear too and drinking it like tea...I haven't tried because I don't know if it's safe during preggo, you'ed have to ask your doc...and they say it's kind of gross smelling and that just wouldn't do right now! ;-) Good luck!

[ChamomileFriend]

For my eczema, I would just put vaseline (creamy or regular) on or even the lanolin they sell for breastfeeding mothers when pg because I couldn't use the steroid creams normally prescribed to treat that.

For allergies you can try the saline thing. Even putting your face over a steaming bowl of water (no menthol) with a towel over your head to trap the steam between you and the bowl for 10-15 min helps to clear out the sinues. I am not pg anymore so I add tea tree oil when I steam myself now.

Did you have any luck finding the pinetarsol Ruth? I HOPE SO! :D