What Can You Take For Allergies

How To Take Antihistamines

Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines:

• Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control
• Only when you have symptoms
• Before being exposed to things that often cause your allergy symptoms, such as a pet or certain plants

For many people with allergies, symptoms are the worst around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Taking an antihistamine at bedtime may help you or your child feel better in the morning during allergy season.

Aid For Your Airway Allergy

Again, due to the potential danger of airway allergies, the only over-the-counter agent that is available to you is the oral antihistamine. Another non-prescription medication that could be useful is the Asthmanephrin inhaler. This racemic epinephrine spray can temporarily open a constricted, “tight” airway.

I cannot emphasize strongly enough that, if you have airway allergies often synonymous with asthma, your doctor or allergist should frame a program for you to follow. Use of over-the-counter medications for these disorders is ill-advised and dangerous.

Allergic To Benadryl What Can I Take

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Why Not Just Avoid Penicillin

It is important to know for sure whether you are allergic to penicillin. Sometimes penicillin is the best drug to treat a certain infection. Using other drugscalled broad-spectrum antibioticsinstead of penicillin can be more expensive and less effective. These drugs are also more likely to cause antibiotic resistance and result in an infection that is very hard to treat.

Using a broad-spectrum antibiotic for an infection like strep throat also increases the risk of developing a serious antibiotic-related condition. For example, the risk of a condition called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is more than 50 percent higher. There is also a much higher risk of developing an intestinal infection called Clostridium difficile . These infections are both serious and hard to treat.

Animal Hair Fur And Feathers

Pets can cause problems for allergic patients in several ways. Their dander , saliva and urine can cause an allergic reaction, especially when combined with household dust. In households with birds, feathers and bird droppings can also become embedded in household dust and cause problems for people who are allergic to them.

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General Strategies For Ipa Gameplan Success

Don’t irritate you linings by nose blowing, eye rubbing, throat clearing, or coughing. Use supportive care including NSAIDS, topical saline, nasal decongestants such as NeoSynephrine or Afrin, oral decongestants such as Sudafed, and expectorant cough suppressants such as Delsym and MucinexDM to keep these surfaces clean and clear.

Remember that effective prevention before the symptoms begin is far better than therapeutic aid after the fact. Begin with avoidance strategies and oral antihistamines early. Start at least 2 weeks before you expect pollen counts to rise. That would be early April for spring allergies and early August for fall allergies. Be sure to follow pollen counts online at weather.com and similar sites to know when you will likely need more preventive and therapeutic horsepower.

Be prepared by stocking your medications before the season begins. Don’t forget to bring them when you travel.

Do it yourself allergy management is effective if you follow the IPA Gameplan. Aggressively identify allergens and their whereabouts, prevent confrontations with the allergens, and be prepared to aid yourself and your children with over-the-counter medications that can manage the symptoms should allergies occur.

What Is The Treatment For Allergic Reaction

For allergic reactions that cause skin symptoms, including those associated with allergens found in animal saliva, poisonous plants, drugs, chemicals and metals, additional treatment options include: Topical corticosteroid creams or tablets. Corticosteroids contain steroids that reduce inflammation and itching.

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What Is The Treatment For Pollen Allergy

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines may help reduce pollen allergy symptoms.

• Antihistamines come in pill, liquid or nasal spray form. They can relieve sneezing and itching in the nose and eyes. They also reduce a runny nose and, to a lesser extent, nasal stuffiness.
• are available as pills, liquids, nasal sprays or drops. They help shrink the lining of the nasal passages and relieve nasal stuffiness. Use decongestant nose drops and sprays only on the short-term.
• Nasal corticosteroids are a type of nasal spray. They reduce inflammation in the nose and block allergic reactions. They are the most effective medicine type for allergic rhinitis because they can reduce all symptoms, including nasal congestion. Nasal corticosteroids have few side effects.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists block the action of important chemical messengers that are involved in allergic reactions.
• Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray that blocks the release of chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, including histamine and leukotrienes. This medicine has few side effects, but you must take it four times a day.

Many people with pollen allergy do not get complete relief from medications. This means they may be candidates for immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that can help prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions. It can change the course of allergic disease by modifying the bodys immune response to allergens.

How Common Is Penicillin Allergy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 1 percent of people have a true penicillin allergy, even though about 10 percent of people tell their doctors they are allergic to penicillin.

Sometimes, a common reaction to penicillin is mistaken for an allergy. In other cases, a person may report a family history of penicillin allergy, but penicillin allergy is not passed down through families.

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Keep Your Home Safe From Allergens

There are many steps you can take around your house to help with seasonal allergies.

Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers at the right times

In the spring, summer and early fall, remove excess moisture from the air using a dehumidifier or air conditioner. This can help reduce the growth of mold and mildew spores known to cause some allergies.

In dry winter months, a humidifier can add moisture to a room to soothe dry, irritated nasal passages. Make sure to clean and change the filter regularly. Unfortunately, moisturized air can also cause dust mites to grow.

Change to HEPA filters for your heating and cooling system

A HEPA filter can trap airborne allergens like pollen, dust and pet dander, helping keep more irritants out of the air. Just make sure youre regularly replacing filters particularly during high usage times. A good rule of thumb is to check your filter once a month to see if it needs replacing.

Consider adding an air purifier, too

Air purifiers can also be used to clean finer particles and fumes that your furnace or air conditioning filter cant catch. There are several different types of air purifiers and each works differently to clean the air you breathe. So, research your options to determine which may be the best fit for you needs.

Other ways to reduce allergens in your home:

What Can You Do If Your Allergy Medication Is Not Working

Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, may eliminate or lessen allergy symptoms if medications are ineffective or intolerable. Immunotherapy works by reducing sensitivity to allergens. Each shot contains a small, but increasing, amount of allergen. This challenges the body to build up tolerance over time. The drawbacks to immunotherapy include use of shots, cost and the fact it may take many months to complete.

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Avoiding Exposure To Allergens

The best way to keep your symptoms under control is often to avoid the things you’re allergic to, although this is not always practical.

For example, you may be able to help manage:

• food allergies by being careful about what you eat
• animal allergies by keeping pets outside as much as possible and washing them regularly
• mould allergies by keeping your home dry and well-ventilated, and dealing with any damp and condensation
• hay fever by staying indoors and avoiding grassy areas when the pollen count is high
• dust mite allergies by using allergy-proof duvets and pillows, and fitting wooden floors rather than carpets

Dust Mite Allergy Management And Treatment

Make changes to your home and to your routine:

• Remove wall-to-wall carpets, curtains, and drapes particularly in the bedroom.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom, and preferably out of the house.
• Minimize household humidity.
• Use mite-proof cases on mattresses and pillows wash bed linens frequently in hot water.
• Wear a mask when cleaning
• Keep the relative humidity in your home less than 50%

Recommended Reading: How Long Do Pollen Allergy Symptoms Last

The Mhra Has Issued Specific Guidance Over Who Should Not Get The Vaccine

Wondering if you need to skip the COVID vaccine? Per Reuters, the MHRA sent out new guidance to healthcare professionals that advised, âAny person with a history of a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine or food should not receive the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine.â And for more on the coronavirus vaccine, This Is What Happens If You Only Get One Dose of the COVID Vaccine.

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Should I Take Claritin Zyrtec Or Allegra

It’s common for people with hives or hay fever to wonder which over-the-counter antihistamine they should take: Claritin , Zyrtec , or Allegra . All of these antihistamines have been available OTC without a prescription for a number of years.

But if you’re thinking these antihistamines are the same, they’re actually not. Depending on the allergic condition being treated, the age of the person, as well as other underlying issues , the best choice of antihistamine might be different.

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

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Aid For Your Eye Allergy

If environmental allergies are making your eyes itchy, the oral antihistamines and topical saline eye drops are your best bets. Don’t forget that oral NSAIDS will also help. Then, if your symptoms are poorly controlled, ask your doctor for prescription eye drops. Both cromolyn and antihistamine eye drops are available as Crolom and Patanol.

Treating Both The Cause And Symptoms

There are several different classes of drugs used to treat allergy symptoms. The most common include antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, and antileukotrienes such as Singulair .

Each of these medications has a different mechanism of action. Some may be used to treat acute symptoms while others aim to achieve longer-lasting relief. The choice depends largely on the types of symptoms you have as well as their severity.

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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

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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Here Are A Few Tips To Help Allergy Sufferers Enjoy The Beautiful Spring Weather:

Oral allergy medications

Oral medications are especially useful for mild allergy symptoms, and many are available over the counter.

Nonsedating antihistamines can relieve itching, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Options include:

• Loratadine , cetirizine , levocetirizine and fexofenadine all are available without prescription.
• Oral decongestants, like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can ease stuffiness, and pseudoephedrine is often combined with an antihistamine. These medications are generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.

Common side effects

Oral decongestants cause insomnia and elevated blood pressure for some people, and antihistamines can cause drowsiness. If you find that one brand of antihistamine makes you sleepy, try a different one to see if you tolerate that better.

Older antihistamines, like diphenhydramine , are more likely to cause drowsiness compared to the newer antihistamines. Be careful about driving or working around heavy machinery if you take diphenhydramine.

Nasal steroid sprays

For more persistent allergy symptoms, nasal steroid sprays often are the best treatment option. Nasal steroid sprays block inflammation and swelling caused by airborne irritants and allergens, and prevent allergy symptoms.

Over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays include:

• Triamcinolone
• Fluticasone
• Budesonide

Eye drops

Inhalers

Allergy shots

However, you may first want to know more details about allergy shots before considering:

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Natural Allergy Relief Options

What helps relieve allergies fast? Watching what you eat, getting plenty of fresh air and drinking enough water are some of the natural remedies that can relieve allergies by improving functions of the immune system.

It may take several weeks for your symptoms to subside, but they are likely to be better kept under control when you tackle the root causes. Here are nine ways to get natural allergy relief.

1. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline Diet

First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce your risk for allergies and many other health problems. Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off common allergies in your environment.

Here are some of the best foods and ingredients to incorporate into your diet to help you beat allergies:

Although its not abundant in many foods, vitamin D is also important for immune function and may help manage allergy symptoms. In fact, certain studies have shown that children who live farther from the equator are more likely to develop allergies and suffer higher rates of hospital admissions due to allergic reactions.

You can get enough vitamin D by spending about 15 minutes in the sun most days without sunscreen and by eating foods like whole milk and some mushrooms for natural allergy relief.

2. Local Raw Honey

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

4. Quercetin

5. Neti Pot

6. Stinging Nettle

• Ginger
• Horehound

8. Probiotics

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Other Steps You Can Take

Theres not much you can do to protect yourself from allergies when you are outside, but you should strive to make your home as allergy-free as possible. Combining a variety of different allergen-reducing techniques can make you more comfortable.

These techniques include:

• Cut down on pet dander. Consider a hypoallergenic dog or give your dog or cat weekly baths to reduce dander accumulation. If your pet has long hair, consider getting them shaved. Keep your dog or cat out of your bedroom.
• Eradicate dust mites. Keep your home clean and uncluttered, get rid of wall-to-wall carpeting, and put protective covers on furniture cushions to keep your home free of dust mites.
• Vacuum. Vacuuming twice per week with a vacuum containing a HEPA filter reduces airborne allergens.
• Dehumidify. Mold thrives in moist, warm environments. Air out your bathroom after showers or run a dehumidifier to suck moisture from the air.
• Get rid of houseplants. House plants make a great home for dust mites and mold spores. Reduce your number of house plants and get rid of dried flowers.
• Control cockroaches. Cockroaches are common in urban areas and in the southern United States. Set traps and avoid leaving out food.

Its not always possible to prevent allergy symptoms. Often, you can only treat symptoms as they arise. There are many prescription and over-the-counter options available, including:

• antihistamines
• antihistamine or corticosteroid eye drops
• oral decongestants
• corticosteroid asthma inhalers

How Do Antihistamines Work

When you are exposed to an allergen — for example, ragweed pollen — it triggers your immune system. People with allergies have an exaggerated immune response. Immune system cells known as “mast cells” release a substance called histamine, which attaches to receptors in blood vessels, causing them to enlarge. Histamine also binds to other receptors causing redness, swelling, itching, and changes in secretions. By blocking histamine and keeping it from binding to receptors, antihistamines prevent these symptoms.

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