Pregnancy changes a lot of things—your body, your sleep, your relationship with carbs. But one thing that doesn’t magically disappear when you’re expecting? Allergies.
In fact, some women who never had allergies before get their first real symptoms during pregnancy. Others notice their usual sniffles or itchy eyes ramp up big-time. And then comes the million-dollar question I hear in the clinic:
“Doc, can I get allergy tested while I’m pregnant?”
Totally fair question. And the answer—like most things in medicine—is: it depends. Let me walk you through it the same way I would in an office visit.
Why Allergy Symptoms Can Get Worse During Pregnancy
There’s a physiological reason behind it. Pregnancy changes your immune system—it suppresses some reactions while amplifying others. Your blood volume increases, your nasal membranes swell, and your body’s histamine response can go a bit haywire.
Combine that with North Texas spring pollen, mold spores after thunderstorms, and the ever-famous cedar fever we get in December and January… well, it’s no wonder pregnant women are reaching for tissues constantly.
Local Pattern I’ve Noticed:
In our Lewisville and Carrollton patients, I’ve noticed a spike in nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis complaints in pregnant women during non-peak seasons—often around late summer. Not quite ragweed season. I suspect it’s the combo of air conditioning, pet dander exposure indoors, and humidity swings in the DFW area.
When We Do Allergy Testing During Pregnancy (And When We Don’t)
Here’s the honest truth: we try to avoid skin testing during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.
It’s not because the test itself is inherently unsafe—it’s because of the (small) risk of a systemic reaction. Skin prick or intradermal testing can, in rare cases, trigger anaphylaxis. And during pregnancy, we try to limit any kind of avoidable stress on both mom and baby.
That said—if a patient has had multiple unexplained reactions, or if she’s at risk of serious food or medication allergy exposure during pregnancy—we might move forward. But with precautions. In a monitored setting. And after discussing the risks.
Blood-based IgE testing is often our go-to during pregnancy. It’s safer, less invasive, and still provides helpful data. Not perfect, but useful.
Patient Scenario: Food Allergy or Pregnancy Symptom?
A few months ago, I saw a 33-year-old teacher from The Colony—28 weeks pregnant with her second baby. She came in worried she’d developed a shellfish allergy after getting hives and nausea after a shrimp salad.
But she’d had shrimp dozens of times before. No issue.
We didn’t do skin testing (too risky mid-pregnancy), but ran a blood IgE panel instead. Negative. Turned out the salad dressing had sesame—something she didn’t usually eat—and she’d developed a new intolerance to it. Not a true allergy.
A little antihistamine, a change in prenatal vitamins, and careful food tracking solved the issue. No testing needed.
Common Questions I Hear in the Office
“Is Claritin or Zyrtec safe to take while pregnant?”
Yes, generally. Loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are both considered safe during pregnancy and are classified as Category B. That means no known risk in humans. I usually recommend Claritin in the first trimester just to be extra cautious.
“What if I’m already getting allergy shots?”
If you were already established on maintenance allergy immunotherapy before pregnancy, we often continue—but we don’t increase the dose during pregnancy. If you haven’t started yet, we usually delay until after delivery.
“Can I do allergy testing if I’m breastfeeding?”
Yes. Allergy testing is generally safe while breastfeeding. And most antihistamines are compatible too—though I tend to avoid first-generation meds like Benadryl if you’re nursing frequently, because they can cause sedation in babies.
“Will allergies hurt my baby?”
Not directly. But uncontrolled symptoms can lead to poor sleep, sinus infections, or asthma flares—which can affect pregnancy quality. That’s why we treat what we need to, with the safest options available.
“Can pregnancy cause new allergies to pop up?”
In some women, yes. I’ve seen new reactions to shellfish, nuts, and even pet dander emerge during pregnancy. We’re not sure exactly why, but immune modulation during gestation plays a role.
What We Do at Health Express Clinics
At our clinic, we approach allergy testing in pregnancy conservatively. If a pregnant patient is suffering, we start with the least invasive options:
- Clinical history
- Allergy-friendly lifestyle tweaks
- Blood IgE testing (instead of skin testing)
- Medication adjustment if needed
Only if there’s a compelling reason do we involve an allergist for possible skin testing during pregnancy. And even then, it’s carefully managed.
My Personal Take: When Symptoms Aren’t Just Allergies
Here’s a “teachable moment” that comes to mind.
A pregnant patient—first trimester, mid-30s, accountant from Flower Mound—came in with congestion, fatigue, and watery eyes. She’d already diagnosed herself with allergies based on Dr. Google.
But she didn’t respond to Claritin. No improvement. When we dug deeper, she had undiagnosed hypothyroidism. And iron deficiency. The nasal congestion? From swollen membranes related to hormonal shifts, not histamine.
Allergy testing wouldn’t have helped at all in her case.
Moral of the story: Pregnancy symptoms are tricky. Always start with a broad lens before jumping to allergy testing.
What Studies Say About Allergy Testing During Pregnancy
In 2020, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology published an expert panel review recommending that skin testing be deferred during pregnancy, unless the results would alter critical management (like suspected penicillin allergy before delivery).
My take? I agree. We shouldn’t avoid diagnosing serious allergies—but we shouldn’t test just for curiosity’s sake either.
Tips for Managing Allergies Safely During Pregnancy
Here are a few low-risk things I suggest to most of my expecting patients with allergy symptoms:
- Use a HEPA filter in the bedroom
- Rinse your sinuses with saline (Neti pots can be great—just use distilled or sterile water)
- Shower before bed during pollen season
- Avoid known triggers (pets, perfumes, cleaning chemicals)
- Stick to pregnancy-safe antihistamines
- Stay hydrated—it helps thin mucus
Sometimes, simple changes go a long way.
Final Thoughts: What to Do If You’re Pregnant and Suffering
If you’re sneezing nonstop, can’t breathe through your nose, or feel miserable—it’s okay to seek help. You don’t have to tough it out just because you’re pregnant.
We’ll look at your full health picture, weigh the risks and benefits, and come up with a treatment plan that keeps both you and baby safe.
Allergy testing? Maybe. But only if we need to.
And if not, we’ve got plenty of tools to help you breathe easier.
Need Support? We’re Here.
At Health Express Clinics in Lewisville, we work with OBs and allergists across North Texas to ensure pregnant patients get thoughtful, evidence-based care. If you’re struggling with allergies—or not sure if that’s what’s going on—let’s talk it through together.