Symptoms of a milk allergy
If you have a history of prior seasonal problems, allergists recommend starting medications to alleviate symptoms two weeks before they are expected to begin.
One of the most effective ways to treat seasonal allergies linked to pollen is immunotherapy (allergy shots). These injections expose you over time to gradual increments of your allergen, so you learn to tolerate it rather than reacting with sneezing, a stuffy nose or itchy, watery eyes.In general, there is no cure for allergies, but there are several types of medications available -- both over-the-counter and prescription -- to help ease and treat annoying symptoms like congestion and runny nose. These allergy seroquel 300mg generic drugs include antihistamines, decongestants, combination drugs, corticosteroids, and others.
Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or pills under the tongue, which gradually increase your ability to tolerate allergens, are also available.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines have been used for years to treat allergy symptoms. They can be taken as pills, liquid, nasal spray, or eye drops. Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine eye drops can relieve red itchy eyes, while nasal sprays can be used to treat the symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies.
Examples of antihistamines include:
Over-the-counter:Cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin) are taken by mouth. Brompheniramine (Dimetapp allergy, Nasahist B), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can make you drowsy. Ketotifen (Zaditor) and naphazoline and pheniramine combination ophthalmic (OcuHist) are eye drops.
Prescription: Desloratadine (Clarinex) is a medication taken by mouth. Azelastine nasal (Astelin) is a nasal spray. Eye drops include azelastine ophthalmic (Optivar), epinastine ophthalmic (Elestat), and olopatadine ophthalmic (Patanol).
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.
What Are the Side Effects of Antihistamines?
Many older over-the-counter antihistamines may cause drowsiness. Newer antihistamines that don’t make you drowsy are available over-the-counter and by prescription.
Decongestants
Decongestants relieve congestion and are often prescribed along with antihistamines for allergies. They can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, liquids, and pills.
Nasal spray and eye drop decongestants should be used for only a few days at a time because long-term use can make symptoms worse. Pills and liquid decongestants can be taken longer safely.
Some examples of decongestants that are available over-the-counter include:
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed tablets or liquid)
Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal sprays
Some Visine eye drops
How Do Decongestants Work?
During an allergic reaction, tissues in your nose may swell in response to contact with the allergen. That swelling makes fluid and mucus. Blood vessels in the eyes can also swell, causing redness. Decongestants work by shrinking swollen nasal tissues and blood vessels, relieving the symptoms of nasal swelling, congestion, mucus secretion, and redness.
What Are the Side Effects of Decongestants?
Decongestants may raise blood pressure, so they typically are not recommended for people who have blood pressure problems or glaucoma. They may also cause insomnia or irritability and restrict urinary flow.
Combination Allergy Drugs
Some allergy drugs contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant to relieve multiple allergy symptoms. Other drugs have multiple effects aside from just blocking the effects of histamine, such as preventing mast cells from releasing other allergy-inducing chemicals.
Some examples of combination allergy medicines include:
Over-the-counter:cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D), fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D), diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy and Sinus), loratadine where can i buy doxycycline 100 mg and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D), and pseudoephedrine/triprolidine (Actifed) for nasal allergies; and naphazoline/pheniramine (Naphcon A) for allergic conjunctivitis
Prescription: acrivastine and pseudoephedrine (Semprex-D) for nasal allergies; azelastine/fluticasone (Dymista) combines an antihistamine with a steroid in a nasal spray for seasonal nasal allergies
Anticholinergic Nasal Sprays
The drug Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) can reduce runny nose. When sprayed into each nostril, it lessens mucus from the glands lining the nasal passages.
What Are the Side Effects of Anticholinergic Nasal Sprays?
They may cause a very dry nose, leading to nosebleeds or irritation. Other side effects include headaches, stuffy nose, upset stomach, and sore throat.