What Are Seasonal Allergies And When Is Allergy Season
An allergic reaction is when your body overreacts to a substance thats not toxic. Some people experience serious allergies to foods, medications, or insect bites that cause hives or swelling of the throat . But for many, the term allergies refers to a seasonal bout of sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and runny or stuffy nose when theyre exposed to pollen from certain grasses, trees, or other plants. However, its also possible to experience these less dangerous symptoms year-round if you have indoor allergies to substances like molds, dust, or pet dander.
There are two times of the year when seasonal allergies are the worst spring and fall. Spring allergy season can start as early as February in some areas of the U.S. and last until the beginning of summer. Fall allergy season can start in August and usually lasts until November. This can vary based on your location.
Many weather organizations provide pollen forecasts during these times to help you predict if your allergy symptoms might start up soon.
Best Overall: Allegra Adult Non
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Better for those under their 60s
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Can cause drowsiness
No matter how much you love your furry friends, life isnt going to be easy if youre allergic to them. You can give yourself some relief by taking the Xyzal Allergy Relief Tablets that were made to alleviate symptoms associated with animal dander allergies.
Unless youre willing to get rid of your pet, many say this is the only thing that works. Additionally, Parikh suggests keeping the pet out of your bedroom and getting a HEPA air purifier.
Allergy Medication Side Effects
Older antihistamines are associated with drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, upset stomach, blurry vision, a dry mouth/nose and throat, and difficulty urinating. The newer antihistamines are usually well tolerated but can cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and stomach problems.
Nasal corticosteroids can cause nasal dryness or irritation, nosebleed, throat irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting, cough, and fungal infections of the throat with long-term use.
Mast cell stabilizers can cause a short-lived stinging sensation inside the nose.
Leukotriene inhibitors are associated with unusual weakness, upset stomach, earache, dizziness, cough, headache, trouble sleeping. Serious but unlikely side effects include flu-like symptoms.
Nasal decongestants may cause a temporary burning, stinging, or dryness in the nose, a runny nose, and sneezing. Oral decongestants may cause dizziness, headache, nervousness, fast heartbeat, increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, and sleep problems.
Nasal anticholinergics can cause a bloody or dry nose, nasal congestion, dry mouth and irritated throat, bad taste in the mouth, dizziness, and nausea.
Topical corticosteroids for skin allergies can cause burning, itching, redness, and changes to skin color and thinning of skin.
Topical immunomodulators for skin allergies may cause stinging, burning, irritation, and itching at the application site. They may also cause headache and flu symptoms.
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Skip Having A Drink With Dinner
Drinking any type of alcohol increases blood flow to the linings of your nose and can make nasal allergy symptoms worse, notes Dykewicz. Also, if youre someone who has year-round nasal issues, including frequent congestion, this scenario can be complicated by alcohol. When seasonal allergies hit and youre already feeling congested, skip the beer or wine to avoid worsening your allergy symptoms.
Avoid Opening Windows Once Spring Hits
It can be hard to resist the allure of a warm spring breeze once the temperature rises, but opening your windows when seasonal allergies are at their peak is like giving pollen an open invitation to invade your living space and cause allergy symptoms. Keeping your windows closed and using an air conditioner with an allergy filter can be an effective way of treating allergies and may help you breathe better, says Dykewicz.
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Types Of Otc Allergy Medications
OTC allergy medications use a variety of methods to fight symptoms. Three of the most common OTC allergy medication types are:
- Corticosteroids: This type of OTC allergy medication works by preventing swelling and inflammation. Its applied via nasal spray, treating nasal allergies. Corticosteroids are Dr. Passers preferred format of OTC allergy medicationwhile they mainly help with congestion and post nasal drainage, they can also help with itching and sneezing, she says. These work by soothing the sensitive tissue in your sinuses by coating them with the best anti-inflammatory medication, says Dr. Passer.Therefore, when you are exposed to allergens, those tissues remain calm, cool and collected and dont have the over-exaggerated response of swelling and producing lots of mucus. Indeed, one study confirms corticosteroids are superior to antihistamines when it comes to treating allergies. In the study, 88 patients with ragweed allergies received either a corticosteroid or an antihistamine. After four weeks, the steroid nasal spray group reported far fewer allergy symptoms than the antihistamine groupSteroids More Effective Than Antihistamines When Used As Needed For Allergies. University Of Chicago Medical Center. Accessed 05/13/2021. .
Comparing Claritin Zyrtec And Allegra
Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are all considered newer generation antihistamines. First-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Atarax , can be helpful for allergies and hives as well, but their use is limited due to side effects such as fatigue and sedation .
So while Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are all newer generation antihistamines that can treat hay fever or hives, there may be some advantages for each of these over the others.
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Allergy Medications That Will Not Raise Blood Pressure
Hypertension patients dont have to forgo remedies for hay fever or perennial allergy symptoms in order to maintain a safe blood pressure. Bouts of allergic rhinitis compromise respiratory health and comfort. Treating allergy symptoms removes this physical stress that may add to hypertensive conditions. Patients can select from prescription and over-the-counter drugs that wont interfere with their heart medications or overwhelm their dosing schedules. While some allergy medicines pose risks to people with heart problems, several classes of drugs offer relief and will not raise blood pressure.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
The Best Allergy Medicine Delivered Straight To Your Door
Gearing up to wage war against pesky allergies? Gopuff is ready and raring to deliver the meds you need when you need them most. Browse our full selection of OTC medication, then explore the rest of our health essentials to complete your comprehensive self-care package. Place an order, and well have your package delivered in no time.
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Can I Compare Prescription Prices Before Filling My Allergy Medicine
The majority of allergy medications are now available over the counter. This means that many insurance plans no longer cover your allergy medicine. If your insurance does not cover your medication, you can use a prescription savings card to get the lowest prescription price. You can save up to 80% or more off the retail price by using the ScriptSave® WellRx discount card at a pharmacy near you.
Rosanna Sutherby is a freelance medical writer who has been a practicing pharmacist in her community for close to 20 years. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She utilizes her clinical training in the pharmacy, where she helps patients manage disease states such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and many others. Dr. Sutherby reviews and recommends drug regimens based on patients concurrent conditions and potential drug interactions.
What The Study Found:
A team led by Shelley Gray, a pharmacist at the University of Washingtons School of Pharmacy, tracked nearly 3,500 men and women ages 65 and older who took part in Adult Changes in Thought , a long-term study conducted by the University of Washington and Group Health, a Seattle healthcare system. They used Group Healths pharmacy records to determine all the drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, that each participant took during the 10 years before starting the study. The participants health was tracked for an average of seven years. During that time, 800 of the volunteers developed dementia. When the researchers examined the use of anticholinergic drugs such as Benadryl, they found that people who took these drugs were more likely to have developed dementia compared to those who did not take them. Moreover, dementia risk increased along with the cumulative dose. Taking an anticholinergic for the equivalent of three years or more was associated with a 54% higher dementia risk than taking the same dose for three months or less.
This study is another reminder to periodically evaluate all of the drugs youre taking. Look at each one to determine if its really helping, says Dr. Sarah Berry, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
With this in mind, it is very important to truly understand your allergy medication choices which are available OTC, and what medication will work best for your symptoms.
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Side Effects Of Combination Medications
Since combination allergy meds include elements of both antihistamines and decongestants, it is possible for patients using these drugs to experience side effects associated with either treatment type. While drowsiness is unlikely it can still occur, as can insomnia or irritability and blood pressure increase.
A Doctors Guide To Choosing Allergy Medicine Wisely
Allergies can pop up throughout the year. You may be tempted to grab the closest antihistamine medicine to fend off your itchy eyes, sneezing, or a runny nose. Before you do, make sure the medicine wont do more harm than good.
There are different types of antihistamines, and some are better than others depending on your age, health, and other medications you take.
Older formulas work, but beware of side effects and bad interactions
Doctors often refer to the first type of antihistamines that were on the market as first-generation. They are great at treating allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, in some people, they can result in side effects like anxiety, confusion, feeling sleepy, blurred vision, reduced mental alertness, urinary retention and constipation. These effects are more common for anyone taking certain antidepressant medications.
Ingredients of first-generation antihistamines include brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Ask a pharmacist to help you compare products and read the labels if the print is too small. Some of the brand names for these products include Dimetapp Cold & Allergy, Chlor-Trimeton, Tavist, Benadryl, Vicks NyQuil and Tylenol Cold and Cough Nighttime.
The labels should also include warnings that people with certain medical conditions should not take first-generation antihistamines. Ask your doctor before use if you have:
New formulations have fewer side effects, but you still need to be cautious
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Allergy Medication Safe For Glaucoma
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When Should You Start Taking Allergy Medications To Best Prevent Seasonal Allergies
Because people with seasonal allergies only have symptoms at certain times of the year, it is typical for them to only use medications during those times. But for best results, its important to start your preventative medication before allergy season begins.
Its best to start your daily allergy medications about 2 weeks before you would typically begin having symptoms . This gives your body time to adjust to the medications and experience the preventative benefits of them. If you have spring allergies, you might need to start your daily medications in early February, depending on where you live. If you have fall allergies, you might have to begin your routine in late July.
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Best For Treating Itching And Nasal Allergy Symptoms
Antihistamines work by targeting and blocking histamine, which is the chemical substance your body releases when exposed to an allergen, such as pollen or pet dander. Antihistamine treatments can take the form of pills, liquid, nasal spray, or eye drops. Once antihistamine medications are in your bloodstream, they can quickly reduce symptoms caused by allergens and prevent the release of histamines in the first place.
Taking antihistamines before or during exposure to an allergen can help limit and even prevent allergy symptoms. Antihistamine pills are most effective against itching, sneezing and runny nose, while nasal sprays are primarily designed to relieve congestion and pressure. Its important to note that certain antihistamine, especially older drugs, can cause drowsiness and dizziness, so you should be careful to avoid certain activities like driving after taking some antihistamines.
Do Allergy Medicines Interact With My Blood Pressure Medication
Most antihistamines are generally safe to take with your blood pressure medication. However, keep in mind the following drug interactions if you are taking medication for your blood pressure:
- fexofenadine : Carvedilol may increase the effects of fexofenadine. Use fexofenadine cautiously if you are taking carvedilol.
- cetirizine and levocetirizine : You may experience increased drowsiness if you take cetirizine or levocetirizine in combination with methyldopa .
- diphenhydramine : Any product containing diphenhydramine may counteract the effects of many of your blood pressure medications. Be sure to talk with your pharmacist before taking any diphenhydramine products.
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What About Antihistamines In Cold And Flu Medications
What many people may not know is that cold and flu medicines marketed to treat runny nose and sneezing usually include first-generation antihistamines the more sedating types. Thats because they are often better at treating cold symptoms and drying up runny nose than the newer types.
Because of their sedating effect, cold medicines with antihistamines are labeled for nighttime use. Take this labeling seriously, as some include medications like doxylamine that are more sedating than others. Check labels for dosages, as well, as these may vary, even within brands.
More is not better read labels carefully and take only as recommended. Dont supplement a multi-symptom cold medication with another single-ingredient antihistamine.
Risks And Side Effects
While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.
When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.
Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:
- trouble breathing
- rash
- vomiting
If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.
What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.
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What Allergy Medicine Can I Take While Breastfeeding
If you suffer from any form of allergy, you should pay attention to the medication you take as a nursing mother. It is essential to know from the beginning that the safest thing to do before you start any treatment is to talk to your doctor.
Let them know that you are breastfeeding, and they will recommend the best treatment. In general, how to treat allergic reaction while breastfeeding? Here are some over the counter medicines for allergy.
What Allergy Medicines Can I Take If I Have High Blood Pressure
Although some allergy medicines affect your blood pressure or interact with your blood pressure medication, safe options for treating your allergy symptoms exist if you have high blood pressure.
Second-generation antihistamines that are not combined with decongestants are generally safe to use if you are not taking the blood pressure medicines listed in the drug interaction section above. Second-generation antihistamines include the following:
- Allegra
- Xyzal
- Zyrtec
If your symptoms include nasal congestion, the following options are generally safe to use as decongestants:
- steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase , Nasacort , and Rhinocort
- antihistamine nasal sprays, such as Astelin and Patanase
- saline nasal sprays or rinses, such as Ayr, Ocean, Simply Saline, or Neti Pot
Antihistamine eye drops, such as Pataday and Zaditor , are safe options for itchy watery eyes.
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Shower Immediately After Being Outside
When you spend a lot of time outside, particularly if youre working out in the yard, pollen can end up on your skin and hair, worsening allergy symptoms. If youre highly allergic to pollen, its a good idea to take a second shower after you come inside to rinse away the pollen and avoid allergy symptoms, explains Mark S. Dykewicz, MD, a professor of internal medicine and the director of allergy and immunology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
What Allergy Medicines Can I Safely Take If I Have Heart Disease Or High Blood Pressure
Oklahoma Heart Institute Director of Interventional Laboratories, Dr. Wayne Leimbach, shares insights on allergies, heart disease and high blood pressure on our blog today.
Springtime brings not only beautiful weather and beautiful flowers, but it also brings high pollen counts and suffering to people with allergies. Many people often ask what allergy medicines can I safely take if I have heart disease or high blood pressure. Many allergy medications include decongestants that can raise blood pressure, create palpitations and interfere with some other heart medications.
Medications that often can be safely used by people with significant allergies include nasal corticosteroids. In addition, antihistamines are very effective. The antihistamines include fexofenadine , cetirizine , loratadine and diphenhydramine .
Often manufactures will include a decongestant with the antihistamines in order to provide additional control of the runny nose often seen with allergies. Manufacturers will often indicate which of the antihistamines also contain a decongestant by adding the letter D to the name of the medicine. These decongestants can be phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline.
Therefore, advertised medicines such as Allegra, Zyrtec, or Claritin should be safe for most patients with heart disease and allergies however, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D, Claritin-D could cause problems for patients with allergies and heart disease.
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