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How Often Should You Change Your Allergy Medicine

Why Allergies Are Out Of Control

Throwdown Thursday: What are the best ways to manage allergies this season?

If you feel like youre having the worst allergy season ever, its not just you: More than 24 million people in America have seasonal allergies, and allergists are already reporting that this year is a brutal one for those who experience hay fever allergies. You can blame climate change, as well as a delayed spring in some parts of the country, which is causing everything to bloom all at once. If youre taking an antihistamine but still feel miserable, you may need to switch up what youre taking or how youre taking it, says Tania Elliott, MD, an allergist in New York City, an associate attending physician at NYU Langone Health, and a national spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . Now, its time to pay attention to your bodys signals when it needs better allergy management.

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Important Information To Remember About Toddler Allergy Medication

One of the most important aspects to remember is to work closely with us. As the areas leading experts in all aspects of pediatric ear, nose and throat issues, were in a unique position to help you by creating a treatment that is tailored to what your child needs. Talk to us before giving your toddler allergy meds because children are often more sensitive than adults to many medications.

Its also important to realize that even though some over-the-counter products say that they are safe for children, that does not mean that it is intended for children of all ages. We encourage you to carefully examine the label.

Often, different products may have the same active ingredient, although they are marketed to treat different symptoms. While you may think you are purchasing products to treat different symptoms, in actuality, all these medicines may have the same ingredients. As a result, your toddler may receive too much of a certain type of medication.

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Q: When Should Patients Start Taking Allergy Medication Before Or During Their Allergy Season

William Berger, MD: Patients are very often confused about when to take antihistamines or nasal corticosteroid sprays to treat their allergies. These medications used to be available only by prescription, but many are now available over the counter. And when a medication is available over the counter, patients may not have access to a physician to guide them on how to properly take it.

In most parts of the country, there are very distinct allergy seasons. In early spring, its tree pollen. In the late spring its grass pollen. And then in the fall, starting around the end of August, its ragweed pollen, although other weeds cause pollen problems as well.

When youre taking allergy medications, its important to understand they work best when taken preventively. You should start taking them anywhere from 2-4 weeks before your allergy season begins. This should get you to the point where you are protected against pollen allergies.

These medications are designed to treat the symptoms they are not going to cure your allergies. If you stop these medications, your allergy symptoms will come back.

If you find these medications are not effective at treating your allergy symptoms completely, you might want to consider seeing an allergist who can test you to find out the root cause of the problem.

Have a medical question? Email or write to Ask the Allergist, Allergy & Asthma Network, 8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 260, Vienna, VA 22182.

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How Are Allergies Treated

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Sometimes it is impossible to avoid the allergen that you are sensitive to, particularly in the case of environmental allergies such as hay fever, dust mite allergy or pet allergies. In this case, there are very broadly two types of allergy treatment that can be helpful.

The first is medications that reduce the symptoms caused by exposure to the allergen and the second is medications and treatments that reduce the underlying allergy . With the regards to the medication that can reduce symptoms, there are a range of different options available which will be considered separately in the sections below. However, all of these simply reduce or suppress symptoms rather than change the underlying allergic problem. That said, many are safe even for long-term use and can be very effective and thus have an important place in the management of allergies.

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What About The Actual Pillows

The National Sleep Foundation recommends washing pillows every six months with hot water and mild detergent. Thats right, many pillows can actually be washed! And it turns outyou should be doing that! Generally, down/feather pillows and down-alternative pillows can go in the washing machine on the gentle cycle while most foam pillows shouldnt be machine washed. Some pillows may do best when dry cleaned. Make sure to read the manufacturers instructions for your specific pillow.

When it comes to replacing your pillows, the National Sleep Foundation suggests swapping out pillows with new ones that arent full of dust mites and sweat every one to two years.

Now, thats not a hard-and-fast rule, and if buying new pillows yearly sounds like a hefty expense, youre not wrong. By using allergy covers and washing your pillowcases, covers, and pillows as regularly as you can, youll keep them in good shape for longer and buy some time before their dustiness, mustiness, and/or lack of fluffiness get between you and a peaceful nights sleep. Because thats what its all about, after all.

Can I Drink Alcohol When Taking Antihistamines

First-generation antihistamines that cause drowsiness, like Benadryl, should not be mixed with alcohol. An exception to this rule is if you are drinking alcohol and happen to have an allergic reaction. In that case, managing your reaction is more pressing than avoiding the adverse effects of combining a first-generation antihistamine with alcohol. It is not recommended to drink alcohol with second- or third-generation antihistamines, either. The sedative effects of alcohol are not as intense when combined with these newer antihistamines, but they still have the potential to cause unwanted side effects. The safest option for preventing allergies without having to sacrifice your alcohol consumption is Curist Nasal Spray, which does not require you to avoid alcohol.

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Otc Allergy Medicine Doesn’t Work Anymore What Now

It can be extremely frustrating: just as Houston’s allergy season is getting into gear, you find your trusted over the counter medication is not providing the relief you’d received from it in the past. What causes this and what can you do? Understanding more about your allergies can help you find answers when you can’t get over the counter allergy relief.

Say Goodbye To Springtime Allergies

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Spring is in the air. Warmer temperatures mean that trees bud, flowers bloom, grass grows and animals get more active. People do, too. But for some, spring means handfuls of tissues and a heavy dose of misery in the form of sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy noses.

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What Happens When Coming In For An Allergy Shot Without An Appointment

When a patient starts immunotherapy and chooses the traditional build-up schedule, they will receive notice when their vials are available at their shot room. We have 40+ offices throughout the region, and the office you choose to get allergy shots in does not have to be the same one where your appointment with your physician was if another is more convenient. After you receive notice, visit the office, check-in at the desk, and take a seat. Once your name is called, our staff will go over safety information during the first visit. At your first visit, you will also be given a scan card to let you sign in by scanning your card at the next visit. This barcode can also be stored on our patient app.

After the first visit, patients come in scan their card and take a seat so our shot room staff can get their vials ready.

What Antihistamine Is Right For You

You can buy many different brands and forms of antihistamines without a prescription.

  • Some work for only 4 to 6 hours, while others last for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Some are combined with a decongestant, a drug that dries up your nasal passages.

Ask your health care provider what type of antihistamine and what exact dosage is right for you or your child. Make sure you understand how much to use and how many times a day to use it. Be sure to read the label carefully. Or ask your pharmacist if you have questions.

  • Some antihistamines cause less sleepiness than others. These include cetirizine , desloratadine , fexofenadine , levocetirizine , and loratadine .
  • Do not drink alcohol when you are taking antihistamines.

Also, remember:

  • Store antihistamines at room temperature, away from heat, direct light, and moisture.
  • Do not freeze antihistamines.
  • Keep all medicines where children cannot reach them.

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The Importance Of Changing Furnace Filters

Before we can discuss when to replace furnace filters, its critical to understand why this simple maintenance task is so important. As you may or may not know, many airborne pollutants can set up shop inside your home. These pollutants can include pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold spores among various others.

Your air filters job is to collect and trap these harmful particles before they have a chance to circulate throughout your living spaces. If the air filter becomes clogged or dirty, this can negatively impact the indoor air quality in your home. However, this isnt the only potential consequence. A dirty air filter will limit the airflow inside your home, which can make your furnace work harder to meet your heating needs. When your furnace has to use extra energy, this can cause your energy bills to rise.

Here are some warning signs that can suggest its time to replace your furnace air filter:

Best Allergy Medications For Your Child

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The best medication for your childs allergies is the one prescribed by his/her doctor. Even for over-the-counter medications, you should get advice about which are suitable for your childs symptoms before starting them.

To better understand your childs options, here are some recommendations and key points about allergy medications.

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Prepare For Your Appointment

Communicating with your doctor will help you both work together to find an effective allergy medication for you. Make sure to tell your doctor if youre:

  • Currently taking allergy medications
  • Diagnosed with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • Taking any other medications, including herbal supplements.

So What Exactly Is Lurking On Your Pillowcase

According to the American Academy of Dermatology , we humans shed between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells every day. When you spend at least seven hours sleeping, youre shedding many of those skin cells right onto your sheets and pillows. On top of that, sweat, oil from your skin , and good ol fashioned drool are all going to end up on your pillowcases as well. You might even end up with allergens in your bed via your hair, if youre not a nighttime showerer. And lets not forget the skin cells, sweat, oil, and drool of your partner and/or pet, if you share a bed with them.

All those cells and bodily fluids can cause microorganismslike bacteria and fungusto grow. This isnt likely to have a significant bearing on your health, but it can lead to skin irritation, breakouts, and possibly even infections. Thomas A. Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, tells SELF that while fabrics like pillowcases and sheets can potentially be contaminated, they arent generally ideal places for most microorganisms to grow and propagate effectively.

Very contagious skin infections like staph or ringworm can theoretically transmit between two people via bed linens, Dr. Russo says. But its very difficult to know if something spread that way or was transmitted simply from skin-to-skin contact if two people are living together and intimately close.

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Now Lets Talk Dust Mites

Dust mites, which are too small to see without a microscope, are teeny tiny creatures that live in household dust and feast on dead human skin cells. They thrive in warm, humid environments, and especially love living in beddingwhere they enjoy an endless supply of sloughed off skin cells. Yummy.

These critters are NBD if youre not allergic to them. If you are, they can be a huge deal. Dust mites are by far the most pervasive indoor allergen, board-certified allergist-immunologist Ryan Steele, D.O., assistant professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine and program director of the Yale Allergy & Immunology Contact Dermatitis Program, tells SELF. Dust mites are something we think of as affecting airways and causing nasal congestion and watery eyes, but they can also make your skin itchy and worsen eczema.

Theres not really any way to get rid of or prevent dust mites, Denisa E. Ferastraoaru, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in allergy and immunology and attending physician at Einstein/Montefiore and Jacobi Medical Centers, tells SELF. So allergists advise patients with dust mite allergies to get allergy covers for their pillows . Covers basically keep dust mites inside the pillow/bed so that we cant breathe them in, Dr. Ferastraoaru says. If you can put a dust mite cover on any new pillows before using them for the first time, you can also keep dust mites out in the first place.

Keep Sniffles And Itchy Eyes At Bay With These Options

How Often You Should Change Your Underwear | Responding To Comments

Daniel More, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FACP, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. Youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

From pets to pollen, allergies are the worst. Unfortunately, its often difficult to avoid the stuff youre allergic to. Who can resist an adorable puppy or a lovely stroll in the park? To get your watery eyes, runny nose, and all other symptoms under control, you need a reliable over-the-counter allergy medicine.

Even though there are dozens of options available to treat allergies, the various options can be overwhelming. Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but theyre not all the samesome may induce drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. Take into consideration your individual symptoms, which may be treated best by specific ingredients or forms, from liquid and sprays to tablets.

Whether youre looking for natural ingredients or a non-drowsy pill that will keep you going throughout the day, these are the best OTC allergy medicines.

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Do Check In With Your Doctor

If youre dealing with nasal symptoms year-round, Macy advises, its a good idea to visit a doctor and discuss more effective treatment options.

Basically it comes down to: See an allergist, figure out what the cause of the problem is, and get it dealt with than taking antihistamines to paint over rust, he says.

Immunotherapy treatmentsallergy shots and dropsdecrease a persons sensitivity to pollen, dust mites, and other irritants. They work by exposing the immune system to gradually increasing doses of the allergen and can provide long-term relief, Nimmagadda says.

All these medications are used after the fact you have symptoms and you use medication to control the symptoms, he says. Immunotherapy blocks the symptoms from even starting.

Dont Take Decongestants Year

Sudafed and similar drugs fight congestion and pressure by causing the blood vessels to constrict. However, they can also cause agitation, interfere with sleep, and contribute to cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, Macy says. Additionally, prolonged use of decongestant nasal sprays can actually make stuffiness worse, an effect known as rebound congestion. Because of these side effects, decongestants shouldnt be used for more than a few days at a time.

Another thing to keep in mind, Macy says, is that if youre experiencing congestion and sinus pressure without other symptoms like itching and sneezing, its probably not caused by allergies. Other treatable conditions including migraines, infections, and nasal polyps, may actually be to blame.

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