When it rains lightly, when you touch a little dust, or when you eat something, do you start sneezing nonstop, and water comes out of your nose like a hose? Are your eyes red and itchy? Is your nose blocked and it's hard to breathe? These are the annoying symptoms of 'allergies' that we all know. At times like these, many of us are used to going to a pharmacy and asking for medicine. But many of us don't know that there are several types of medicines for this allergy. Not all of them work in the same way. So, today we'll talk about these allergy medicines , the differences between them, and how to choose the medicine that best suits your symptoms.
The two main types of allergy medications
Simply put, two of the most commonly used medications for allergies are antihistamines and decongestants . These medications may not completely cure your allergies. However, they can provide quick relief from annoying symptoms like runny nose and nasal congestion. These medications are available in various forms.
Now let's look at these two main types of medications separately.
What are "antihistamines"?
Imagine, when something we don't like, such as dust or pollen, enters our body (allergen), our immune system gets upset and releases a chemical messenger called "histamine." This histamine is what causes itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and skin rashes.
What an antihistamine does is block the messenger histamine from connecting to the cells in our body. It's like closing a door. Then those annoying allergy symptoms subside.
These medications are most effective if taken before allergy symptoms start, as it is easier to control the amount of histamine in the body. If you have frequent allergies, talk to your doctor about it and ask if it would be a good idea to start taking the medication about two weeks before your allergy symptoms start.
Antihistamines are also mainly divided into two categories.
| Antihistamine type | Specialty | Commonly used examples |
|---|---|---|
| First-Generation | These can cause severe drowsiness because they easily travel from the bloodstream to the brain. Avoid taking these if you are driving or operating machinery. | Chlorpheniramine (Piriton), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Clemastine (Tavist) |
| Second-Generation | These are less likely to cause drowsiness because they travel less to the brain, making them easy to use even during the day. | Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Loratadine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Desloratadine (Clarinex) |
What are "decongestants"?
The word decongestant means 'reducing congestion.' When we have allergies or a cold, the tiny blood vessels inside our nose swell. That's when our nose gets stuffy.
Decongestant medications work by shrinking these swollen blood vessels . This frees up space inside the nose, relieves congestion, and makes breathing easier. These are available as pills, liquids, and nasal sprays.
Very important: Decongestant medications are not suitable for everyone. They may not be suitable for people with conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, or hyperthyroidism . Therefore, be sure to consult your doctor before taking these medications.
Something special about decongestant nasal sprays
You need to be very careful when using decongestant nasal sprays. Although they may provide quick relief, they should not be used for more than 3 days at a time.
If you continue to use it, you may experience a condition called a "rebound reaction." This means that after you stop using the medicine, your nose will start to get even more stuffy than before. So remember to only use a spray like this for a maximum of 3 days.
More powerful medications and treatments
Sometimes, allergies can be difficult to control with regular antihistamines or decongestants. In such cases, your doctor may recommend other treatments.
Corticosteroids (types of steroids)
These are powerful medications that directly reduce the inflammation caused by allergies. They are very helpful for people who have frequent allergies and nasal congestion. They come in a variety of forms, including nasal sprays (e.g., Fluticasone, Mometasone), inhalers, and tablets. If you use a steroid nasal spray, it can take a few days or a week to see the full effects. So it's important to be patient and continue using it.
Other treatments
- Allergy Shots (Allergen Immunotherapy): This can be a good solution for people who have year-round allergies and who don't get much relief from medications. What you do is give them a series of shots of very small amounts of the allergen over a period of several years. Over time, your body becomes accustomed to it and the allergic reaction goes away.
- Mast Cell Stabilizers: These stop the activity of mast cells, which release histamine.
- Leukotriene Inhibitors: Leukotrienes are another type of chemical that causes allergies, like histamine. These medications work by blocking their action. Montelukast (Singulair) is a commonly used example.
- Emergency Epinephrine Shots: These are used for people who have a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis , which can be life-threatening. If you have a severe allergy, your doctor may recommend that you carry an auto-injector like this with you.
Talk to your doctor before choosing a medication.
Although some of these medications can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor, it is very important to choose the right medication for your symptoms.
Especially if you have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or prostate problems , be sure to talk to your family doctor before taking medications like decongestants. He or she will recommend the safest and most appropriate medication for your health condition.
Take-Home Message
- Antihistamines are a type of medication that blocks a chemical called histamine and relieves symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching.
- Decongestants are a type of medication that helps shrink swollen blood vessels in the nose, relieving nasal congestion.
- Older antihistamines (first-generation) can cause severe drowsiness. Newer types (second-generation) are much less likely to cause drowsiness.
- Avoid using decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3 days in a row.
- If you have other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any allergy medicine.
- If your allergies are not controlled with regular medications, see your doctor for corticosteroids or other specific treatments.
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