Search
× Search

Pregnancy and its Effects on Asthma & Allergies

Pregnancy and its Effects on Asthma & Allergies

Pregnancy and its associated changes may affect either your asthma or rhinitis, or both. Should you become pregnant please notify your OAAC physician as soon as possible. This will allow us to work closely with the physician providing your obstetrical care. A team approach to the assessment and care of the pregnant allergic patient will result in the best care for your condition.

Remember, the final decisions on your medications and treatments are always made by the physician providing the obstetrical care. However, your OAAC physician should follow your asthma closely during the pregnancy. We can provide advice about continuation or discontinuation of treatments you are already on for your allergy/asthma prior to the pregnancy.

Allergy Immunotherapy (Shots)

There is no reason to discontinue immunotherapy during pregnancy. It does not pose a risk to the development of your baby. However, we do not want to present an increased risk for systemic reaction during the pregnancy.

Therefore all immunotherapy during a pregnancy must be at a stable or maintenance dose. We do not build or increase the dose of your shots during pregnancy. If you are on build-up of your immunotherapy and you become pregnant, contact your OAAC provider immediately to discuss how to proceed. If you are on your maintenance dose and are having symptoms from the injections or other concerns, contact your OAAC provider.

Rhinitis (Nasal Symptoms)

Your nasal allergy symptoms may improve (15%), worsen (34%) or stay unchanged (46%) during your pregnancy. Some patients develop unrelated non-allergic nasal congestion (rhinitis of pregnancy) during the second half of their pregnancy. If you are having problems please contact your OAAC physician. Some medications are considered safer than others during pregnancy. Non-medical approaches like saline nasal rinses and external nasal dilator strips are very safe.

Asthma

Asthma symptoms during pregnancy appear to worsen, improve or remain unchanged in roughly equal proportions (1/3, 1/3, 1/3). This means that some patients with even very mild asthma may develop more severe symptoms when pregnant. The period of greatest increased incidents of increased symptoms is the third trimester (2436 weeks).

Since the well-being of the baby depends on the severity of the asthma in the mother, close monitoring is necessary. We want to work with your obstetrical physician to maintain your asthma control with the least amount of medications possible. However, because uncontrolled asthma presents the greatest risk to the baby (versus drug side effects) it is imperative not to discontinue or change your asthma medications without the consultation of your OAAC physician. Inhaled steroids for example are considered safe and effective in pregnancy.

Recent News

SuperUser Account
/ Categories: News

Very High Allergy Alert for Tree Pollen Continues

April 2, 2026

VERY HIGH RANGE: ALLERGY ALERT. COMBINED TREE POLLEN COUNTS ARE AT VERY HIGH LEVELS on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

The alert is due to OAK pollen counts in the VERY HIGH RANGE and MULBERRY in the HIGH RANGE.  COMBINED TREE POLLEN counts are at the VERY HIGH ALERT level.  Multiple tree pollens detected today: Oak (VERY HIGH), Mulberry (HIGH), Cottonwood, Sycamore and Willow (MODERATE), Cedar, Ash, and Pine (LOW).

This is an extreme exposure situation.  Severe symptoms may be expected in pollen-sensitive individuals. More seriously allergic people should be advised to stay indoors as much as possible. This is especially true if someone has pollen sensitivity or allergic bronchial asthma.  

Spring tree pollen affects thousands of people across the Oklahoma region, triggering allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”, as multiple tree species begin pollinating as the weather warms.  These pollen grains can be carried hundreds of miles due to windy conditions.

For More Information -

The best way to combat these allergens is to stay in filtered air. OAAC’s board-certified allergists recommend avoiding allergy triggers as the best way to reduce symptoms. These triggers include:

  • Limit outdoor activities during days with high pollen counts.
  • Keep windows closed (at home or in the car) to keep pollen out.
  • Don’t wear your outdoor work clothes in the house; they may have pollen on them.
  • Take a shower after coming indoors. Otherwise, pollen in your hair may bother you all night.
  • Leave shoes outside or just inside the door so that you don’t track pollen inside your home.
  • Wash your hands often. Pollen can stick to your hands when you touch something outside or a pet if it has been outside.
  • Wear a dust mask that people like carpenters use (found in hardware stores) when you need to do outdoor tasks such as raking leaves.
  • Clean and replace furnace and air conditioner filters often. Using HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters is recommended, which remove at least 99 percent of pollen, as well as animal dander, dust, and other particles.

Some other options include medications like nasal sprays and antihistamines, but it needs to be the correct medicine and should be used continuously throughout the season.

Seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”) cannot be diagnosed by history alone. A board-certified allergist can diagnose allergies and determine the specific triggers that cause them through simple tests. The allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages from the southwest region.  The main clinic is on the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center campus.  For patient convenience, satellite offices are located in Edmond, Norman, and northwest Oklahoma City.

For more information about allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”), visit: https://oklahomaallergy.com/services/allergic-rhinitis/

Daily Pollen Counts for Weed, Grass and Tree pollen, as well as Mold levels can be found at: https://oklahomaallergy.com/allergy-report/

Visit the OAAC website at www.oklahomaallergy.com to view the addresses for all Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic locations.  To make an initial appointment for an allergy, asthma, or immunology problem or to request more information, please call (405) 235-0040 or visit the website.

The post Very High Allergy Alert for Tree Pollen Continues appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

Previous Article Very High Allergy Alert for Tree Pollen Continues
Next Article Very High Tree Pollen Alert Continues for Fifth Straight Day
Print
366
Terms Of UsePrivacy StatementCopyright 2026 by Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic
Back To Top