Sniff, sniff, cough, cough…allergies attacking full force

  • Shelly Webb
  • June 12, 2011
  • 317
                        
Summary Many allergy sufferers are claiming they are more plugged up, have bigger headaches and more congested that in years past, and they may be telling the truth! This year is quickly becoming a record for springtime allergies. Story It’s funny how winter weather patterns can set up conditions for an extremely bad allergy season. According to weather experts, heavy snow and rain can actually nourish a large amount of tree pollen and then a sudden switch from colder to sunny and warm weather can cause that pollen to release more quickly. When you combine that with spring flooding and winds, you can add mold to the mixture and prepare yourself for one rough allergy ride! Finding the right medication or treatment for allergies is important and not as difficult as you might think. Local pharmacist, Joanna Hershberger PharmD, RPh of Mast Pharmacy says an antihistamine is one of the most common treatments available for allergy sufferers. “The most commonly used allergy medications are antihistamines,” she said. “When we are exposed to an allergen, our bodies release histamine which induces the sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and itching we all associate with allergies. This is basically our bodies’ way of trying to get rid of the allergen. Antihistamine medications block our response to that release of histamine.” Hershberger also said it’s important to understand what types of antihistamines are available because there are differences. “There are first- and second-generation antihistamines available over-the-counter,” Hershberger added. “First-generation antihistamines like Benadryl, Tavist, and Chlor-Trimeton are less expensive because they are older and available generically but cause much more drowsiness and other side effects and require more frequent dosing. Claritin, Zyrtec, and now Allegra are the second-generation antihistamines available over-the-counter which are non-sedating and only needs to be taken once a day. Of course, these do cost more but have fewer side effects and may also help with sinus congestion.” According to Hershberger, other over-the-counter treatment options are oral or nasal decongestants which will help relieve a stuffy nose but will not do much for other symptoms. Cromolyn nasal spray however acts to stop the histamine release and therefore prevent allergy symptoms. “Cromolyn needs to be used four times a day and may take several days to see relief though,” Hershberger said. “Saline nasal sprays and rinses are another option that may actually help remove the allergen from the nasal passages.” With so many allergy medications and antihistamines on the market, how can an individual know which one is right for them, well Hershberger suggests noting the active ingredients of each because that will give you more information. “Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are very similar in terms of side effects and how effective they are in relieving allergy symptoms,” she shared. “But they do each have different active ingredients. Zyrtec causes a bit more drowsiness than the others but is the fastest to take effect. As has been pointed out in recent TV commercials, it is best not to take Allegra with fruit juice—not because it will be detrimental to your health but because you will absorb less of the medication. Claritin and Zyrtec are both available generically over-the-counter and Claritin tends to be the least expensive. Allegra is the most expensive and while it has been available generically as a prescription, the over-the-counter version is brand-name only for now.” Another major symptom of allergies that cannot be addressed by an antihistamine deals with itchy, watery eyes. Many people suffer from eye symptoms directly related to allergies. Rubbing and scratching the eyes can be dangerous and cause other more serious issues. Hershberger suggests using an eye drop to relieve symptoms. There are many over-the-counter drops available as well as prescription drops you may get from your physician. “Most over-the-counter allergy eye drops contain some type of antihistamine and decongestant to help relieve itchy, watery eyes,” Hershberger said. “These products, like Naphcon-A, Opcon-A, Visine-A, etc., are good for short-term use but, if used continuously for more than a few days, rebound congestion can occur and actually make watery eyes worse. The other OTC options are Zaditor and Alaway which work to both prevent and treat eye-related allergy symptoms. They are more expensive but a better choice for regular, long-term use. There is also a wide variety of prescription antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, or steroid eye drops if something stronger is necessary.” If over-the-counter medications don’t seem to work for your particular allergy symptom, you may need more advanced treatment. According to Hershberger, steroid nasal sprays are the most effective prescription allergy medication and are often used in combination with an oral antihistamine to treat chronic allergies. Also oral steroids are also an option for short-term use. “Ipratropium is another type of nasal spray that can help dry up a runny nose,” she added. “Clarinex and Xyzal are prescription only, second-generation antihistamines that are not widely used because they are very similar to Claritin and Zyrtec, respectively, but are much more expensive. There are a few first-generation antihistamines that remain prescription only too. Singulair and Accolate, which are also used in asthma treatment, may be an option in more severe cases as well as allergy shots that work to desensitize a person to the specific allergens they typically react to.” There are side effects and complaints with most allergy type medications. If you are dealing with any other health problems such as high blood pressure or heart problems then allergy treatment may be a bit more difficult. “Oral decongestants carry the risk of insomnia, elevated blood pressure, and increased heart rate and you may experience rebound congestion with nasal and eye drop decongestants if used for more than a few days,” Hershberger said. “It is important to keep these issues in mind when choosing an allergy product to avoid exacerbating any current conditions like hypertension, heart disease, or insomnia. As always, check product labels carefully if taking multiple or combination products to avoid doubling up within a drug class (like 2 antihistamines or 2 decongestants) which usually does more harm than good.” Summer is a great season and after a long, cold winter we all want to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. With the wide array of antihistamines available and the extensive prescription medications on hand today there is no reason to not enjoy the seasons. If you can’t get your allergies under control, see your doctor because chances are there’s something he can do.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load