Do you also sneeze profusely at certain times, especially when the trees around you are in bloom? Do you experience symptoms such as a runny nose, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes? This is called a pollen allergy . You probably avoid pollen as much as possible to avoid it. However, sometimes that is not enough. We have to use medications to control these annoying symptoms. Let's see what medications can help with this.
Before starting any medication, talk to your doctor!
This is the most important thing. Even if it is an over-the-counter medication that you can buy from a pharmacy without a prescription, it is essential to talk to your doctor before using it.
Imagine, you may only have a stuffy nose. Or you may only have sneezing. Maybe you also have itchy eyes along with both. So, your doctor is the best person to decide which medicine is right for your symptoms. Also, some medicines can cause side effects. If you are taking medicine for another condition, you should also check whether this new medicine will cause problems with that medicine. After looking at all of this carefully, your doctor can give you the safest and best treatment.
Nasal Steroids
These are sprays that are sprayed directly into the nose. This is the first treatment that doctors recommend for nasal congestion caused by allergies, a condition called ` allergic rhinitis .' This spray provides relief from many symptoms, including nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy nose, and sneezing.
While some steroid sprays require a prescription, others like budesonide, fluticasone, and triamcinolone are available over the counter. However, it is best to start using them a little before your allergy season starts. This will help control your allergies before they get worse. Sometimes it can take up to a week for your symptoms to improve. So, don't stop just because you haven't felt better in a couple of days.
Remember, these are nasal steroids. Oral steroids are used very rarely for nasal allergies like this, only in special cases.
Types of antihistamines
Simply put, when you have an allergy, your body produces a chemical called ``Histamine.'' This chemical, called ``histamine,'' is what causes all those annoying symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose. `` Antihistamine '' medications work by blocking the action of that histamine.
These come in pill form and nasal spray form. The pill form mainly controls itching, sneezing, and a runny nose. The nasal spray provides relief from things like nasal congestion, itching, and postnasal drip.
There are also major differences between the types of pills. Some make you drowsy , while others don't. It's important to be aware of this.
| Drug category | Examples (brand names) | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Non-drowsy antihistamines | Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Fexofenadine (Allegra) Loratadine (Claritin) | These are less likely to cause drowsiness and are less likely to interfere with daily activities and driving. |
| Drowsy antihistamines | Chlorpheniramine (Piriton) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Brompheniramine | These can make you very sleepy. Avoid taking them if you are driving or operating machinery. They are usually recommended to be taken at night. |
To obtain antihistamine sprays for use in the nose (such as `Azelastine`, ` Olopatadine` ), a doctor's prescription is required.
Medicines that reduce nasal congestion (Decongestants)
If your main problem is a stuffy nose, these medications may help. They work by constricting the swollen blood vessels inside the nose, making it easier to breathe.
These are available in tablet and liquid form (`pseudoephedrine`, `phenylephrine`), as well as a nasal spray (`oxymetazoline`).
A very important warning: Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3 days at a time. If you use them for longer than that, you may develop a condition called ' rebound congestion '. This means that after you stop using the medicine, your nose will become even more congested than before.
Also, these decongestant pills can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure , you should avoid taking these medications. Therefore, it is imperative to talk to your doctor before taking such a medication and ask if it is right for you.
Allergy shots and other treatments
Doctors call this ``immunotherapy.'' Simply put, it's like 'training' your body's immune system to the allergen (e.g. pollen).
In allergy shots , you are given very small amounts of the pollen you are allergic to, gradually increasing them. Over time, your body builds up a resistance to those pollens. This is a long-term treatment. This treatment usually takes about 3-5 years.
These days, in addition to vaccines, there are also sublingual tablets (such as `Grastek`, `Oralair`). These also work in the same way as vaccines. However, since some people can have an allergic reaction to these tablets, the first tablet should be taken in a doctor's office. Then, in case of an emergency, it can be controlled.
Take-Home Message
- If you feel like you need to take allergy medicine, instead of going to the pharmacy and taking whatever medicine you feel like, see your doctor first.
- The first-line treatment for allergic rhinitis is usually a nasal steroid spray.
- If you take antihistamine pills, know exactly whether they make you drowsy or not , and choose the one that suits your work schedule.
- Do not use decongestant sprays for nasal congestion for more than 3 days in a row.
- Immunotherapy is a long-term, but very effective treatment. Ask your doctor about that as well.
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