Allergies During Pregnancy

I actually developed an allergy to kiwi fruit when I was pregnant with my daughter. It was a contact allergy, I couldn't let it come in contact with my skin or I would develop hives at the place it touched. Like my mouth. It sucked! During her first year we found out she was allergic to anything with high concentrations of vitamin C, including kiwi, she has eczema and would break out in terrible rashes if she ate these foods (among others).
Also, I suffered from a lot of sinus infections I suspect were from allergies when I was pregnant, with all of my kids. I was able to take a decongestant, but not allergy meds. I found that steeping eucalyptus leaves in boiling water, making a tent (I used a large towel) over a bowl with this "tea", and breathing in the steam deeply for about 5 minutes every day kept my symptoms at bay.

Antihistamines dry the sinuses a great deal. It could be that you're just more aware of it now. I always take half a dose and wait to see if it works even a bit. If it does then I don't need to take more.

It sounds like this is a strong allergy. You need to see the doc as soon as you can. He may have to give you an emergency solution just in case it wakes you up and you are having more serious issues.

Yes, it's common and if you have 'what to expect when your expecting' there is a section on this. I remember because I had the same issue. I talked to my OB, and she said that nasal steroids like nasacort are very safe, because very little actually gets into your system. They are basically local. You should talk to your OB and see what he/she says (might agree with mine, or might not, but it doesn't hurt to ask).

What does your doctor recommend?

You don't say what you are reacting to - based on your meds, I'm assuming environmental allergies, but someone below mentioned food. So that makes a difference.

A lot of things are heightened or worsened during pregnancy, but also allergies are on the increase with climate change affecting the length of the growing season (plants have more time to accumulate and store pollen, for example). The antihistamines you are taking shrink the swollen mucus membranes, but they cause dehydration and there's a sort of "yo-yo" effect. You are feeling that anyway. You definitely need to keep up your fluids.

There are safe, non-pharmaceutical approaches to allergy reduction (vs. what you are doing which is simple symptom management) but they are not overnight fixes. I'm symptom-free after a lifetime of misery whenever plants/trees were in bloom or someone mowed a lawn or I was near a cat. I got good help and advice so I was able to stay consistent, but it usually takes a good 3 months. For people with a ton of allergies, it can take longer although some relief usually comes gradually.

You also may have some sleep deprivation going on, and that can get worse when pregnancy makes it difficult to get comfortable at night. Exhaustion always made my allergies worse. So the sooner you can get started on resolving this, the better you will do.

You mention reactions to food. Clariton and related meds do not help with food allergies. The only way to manage them is to avoid contact. You can treat hives with Benedryl related drugs. Can you take benedryl while pregnant?

I have numerous food and environment allergies diagnosed by skin prick testing. Because of something heart related I cannot take Clariton, Allegra, Allertek, etc. I use the prescription nasal spray and found it to be as effective as the prescription anthistamines for nasal congestion. It does not prevent hives or itchy nose, ears or throat. Benedryl type antihistamines are all that work to relieve those symptoms.

I suggest you see an allergist to be tested so that you know what to avoid and thus prevent the hives and itchiness. Also keep a diary of foods and things to which you've come in contact when you've had reactions so that you can avoid them to see if doing so helps.