Ashley's Apothecary Corner
Seasonal Allergies 101
Seasonal Allergies 101
The warmer weather has arrived. Flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is growing, the weeds are appearing, and so are some pesky allergy symptoms. If you are part of the unfortunate "club" that suffers from seasonal allergies, you are not alone. There are millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies yearly. Sneezing, nasal congestion, and red itchy eyes often send those affected to the store, looking at an overwhelming number of options.
Most over-the-counter medications have an antihistamine in them. What does this mean? Your body releases a chemical called histamine when it is having an allergic response. Antihistamines block this chemical to try to relieve allergy symptoms.
Common oral antihistamines are Claritin, Benadryl, Allegra, and Zyrtec. While they make "non-drowsy" formulations, they can still make you feel a little sleepy. Some people find that only one particular oral antihistamine works well for them, while another person may find that they can use any of them. Other common side effects are feeling "dry." Dry mouth, dry throat, blurry vision, and constipation are the most common side effects. Benadryl would be the most sedating but arguably the fastest and most effective, along with the most side effects. Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec are all less sedating, take longer to start working, and overall are better tolerated.
If you find yourself congested, you may want to ask your friendly pharmacist at the counter for a product containing pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. Pseudoephedrine helps to relieve congestion for those also suffering from allergy symptoms. Pseudoephedrine is sold as a single product (Sudafed) or can be found in combination with an antihistamine (Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D). What does the D stand for, you may be wondering? D is for Decongestant. Any product containing pseudoephedrine can only be sold from behind the pharmacy counter. You will need proper identification (a valid driver's license or a passport) to purchase the medication due to the regulations of the government. (Sadly, it has an active ingredient, which some people have been known to abuse).
Another option that is available over the counter is nasal antihistamines. Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour and Flonase Allergy Relief both are nasal sprays that work directly in the nose to try to fight allergy symptoms. A lot of people prefer nasal sprays as they don't have that potential to cause drowsiness and work at the place where symptoms of a runny or itchy nose might be present. They are usually tolerated pretty well with minimal side effects. Just remember to clean the tip of the nasal spray after every use!
If you have high blood pressure, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking other medications, please, please chat with your pharmacist and physician before starting to take any over-the-counter product or supplement. Some of the medications can cause an increase in your blood pressure or heart rate and are not recommended for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
For alternative options, Vitamin C, Quercetin, Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oils), and Vitamin D have been used for allergies and for lowering histamine levels. Studies on supplements are limited, but there is some evidence to suggest they may help reduce histamine and help with allergy symptoms. Neti pots and saline sprays can help clear the mucus in your nasal passages but do not treat the histamine levels in your body. So while they may provide some relief to symptoms, they won't lower your histamine levels and, therefore, don't treat the allergies specifically. If you use a neti pot for symptoms, ALWAYS boil the water first, or use distilled sterile water.
There are a few phone apps (such as the Weather Channel) that actually tell you pollen counts for your area and air quality. Pollen counts are traditionally higher in the morning, so if you plan to be outside, try to save activities for the afternoon or evening. Another tip is to shower after any outdoor activity and change your clothes to try to reduce exposure for those who are really sensitive.
If after safely starting allergy relief medications for two to three weeks and still not seeing improvement, talk to your physician about the next steps and potentially seeing an allergy specialist.
While seasonal allergies are common, they can be easily treated. Ask your physician or pharmacist for some help, and enjoy the nice weather while it is here!
The warmer weather has arrived. Flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is growing, the weeds are appearing, and so are some pesky allergy symptoms. If you are part of the unfortunate "club" that suffers from seasonal allergies, you are not alone. There are millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies yearly. Sneezing, nasal congestion, and red itchy eyes often send those affected to the store, looking at an overwhelming number of options.
Most over-the-counter medications have an antihistamine in them. What does this mean? Your body releases a chemical called histamine when it is having an allergic response. Antihistamines block this chemical to try to relieve allergy symptoms.
Common oral antihistamines are Claritin, Benadryl, Allegra, and Zyrtec. While they make "non-drowsy" formulations, they can still make you feel a little sleepy. Some people find that only one particular oral antihistamine works well for them, while another person may find that they can use any of them. Other common side effects are feeling "dry." Dry mouth, dry throat, blurry vision, and constipation are the most common side effects. Benadryl would be the most sedating but arguably the fastest and most effective, along with the most side effects. Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec are all less sedating, take longer to start working, and overall are better tolerated.
If you find yourself congested, you may want to ask your friendly pharmacist at the counter for a product containing pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. Pseudoephedrine helps to relieve congestion for those also suffering from allergy symptoms. Pseudoephedrine is sold as a single product (Sudafed) or can be found in combination with an antihistamine (Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D). What does the D stand for, you may be wondering? D is for Decongestant. Any product containing pseudoephedrine can only be sold from behind the pharmacy counter. You will need proper identification (a valid driver's license or a passport) to purchase the medication due to the regulations of the government. (Sadly, it has an active ingredient, which some people have been known to abuse).
Another option that is available over the counter is nasal antihistamines. Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour and Flonase Allergy Relief both are nasal sprays that work directly in the nose to try to fight allergy symptoms. A lot of people prefer nasal sprays as they don't have that potential to cause drowsiness and work at the place where symptoms of a runny or itchy nose might be present. They are usually tolerated pretty well with minimal side effects. Just remember to clean the tip of the nasal spray after every use!
If you have high blood pressure, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking other medications, please, please chat with your pharmacist and physician before starting to take any over-the-counter product or supplement. Some of the medications can cause an increase in your blood pressure or heart rate and are not recommended for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
For alternative options, Vitamin C, Quercetin, Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oils), and Vitamin D have been used for allergies and for lowering histamine levels. Studies on supplements are limited, but there is some evidence to suggest they may help reduce histamine and help with allergy symptoms. Neti pots and saline sprays can help clear the mucus in your nasal passages but do not treat the histamine levels in your body. So while they may provide some relief to symptoms, they won't lower your histamine levels and, therefore, don't treat the allergies specifically. If you use a neti pot for symptoms, ALWAYS boil the water first, or use distilled sterile water.
There are a few phone apps (such as the Weather Channel) that actually tell you pollen counts for your area and air quality. Pollen counts are traditionally higher in the morning, so if you plan to be outside, try to save activities for the afternoon or evening. Another tip is to shower after any outdoor activity and change your clothes to try to reduce exposure for those who are really sensitive.
If after safely starting allergy relief medications for two to three weeks and still not seeing improvement, talk to your physician about the next steps and potentially seeing an allergy specialist.
While seasonal allergies are common, they can be easily treated. Ask your physician or pharmacist for some help, and enjoy the nice weather while it is here!