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Seasonal Allergy Medications

Seasonal Allergy Medications


What are Seasonal Allergies?

Allergies that occur during a particular period are called seasonal allergies. They are also commonly known as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever affects between 10% and 30 % of the population worldwide. Roughly 7.8% of people aged 18 years and over in the U.S. have hay fever. Allergic conditions are one of the most common health issues affecting children in the U.S.(1 Trusted Source
Allergies and Hay Fever

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)

For any allergic reaction to occur, an allergen that triggers an allergic response is required. In these kinds of seasonal allergies, the common allergens are usually pollens.

Pollens are powdery substances produced from trees, grasses, and weeds that remain in the open space for a long time. These substances are carried away by wind and insects into the air to fertilize other plants.

When these allergens invade the immune system, chemicals are released into the bloodstream to defend against them. Allergic symptoms are caused due to these chemicals.

Sneezing, itchy nose and/or throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drip are the common symptoms. Sometimes, headache, shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough may also occur. In addition, they might also trigger an asthma attack(2 Trusted Source
Common seasonal Allergies Trigger

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).

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Types Of Allergy Drugs

There is no cure for seasonal allergies, but there are medications that help ease allergic symptoms like congestion and runny nose. These include antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids, and others. Allergy medications are available as pills, liquids, inhalers, nasal sprays, and eyedrops. Some are over-the-counter drugs, while others are available by prescription only.

Some drugs that extensively treat the immune system called immunotherapy are also available for seasonal allergies. They are present in the form of injections or pills placed under the tongue to increase your ability to tolerate allergens(3 Trusted Source
Allergy Treatment

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).

Types of Allergy Drugs

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are commonly used class of drugs to treat allergy symptoms. They work by blocking a chemical substance released by immune cells during an allergic reaction called histamine.

Histamine attaches to blood vessel receptors and other tissue receptors causing redness, swelling, itching, and secretion changes. By blocking histamine and keeping it away from receptors, antihistamines prevent allergy symptoms.

They are available as pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or eye drops. Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine eye drops can relieve red itchy eyes, and nasal sprays can be used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

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Over-the-counter antihistamines - Oral pills are cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin). Brompheniramine (Dimetapp allergy, Nasahist B), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are available as syrups. Ketotifen (Zaditor) and naphazoline and pheniramine combination ophthalmic (OcuHist) are eye drops(4 Trusted Source
Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

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).

Prescription drugs - Oral pill desloratadine (Clarinex), nasal spray azelastine nasal (Astelin), and eye drops including azelastine ophthalmic (Optivar), epinastine ophthalmic (Elestat), and olopatadine ophthalmic (Patanol).

Decongestants

Decongestants are often prescribed along with antihistamines to relieve nasal congestion in seasonal allergies. Tissues in the nose may swell in response to contact with the allergen. The swelling causes symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and redness. Decongestants work by shrinking swollen nasal tissues to provide relief from those symptoms.

Eye decongestants shrunk eye blood vessels to reduce eye redness. Decongestants are available in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, liquids, and pills.

Over-the-counter available decongestants – pseudoephedrine (Sudafed tablets or liquid), phenylephrine (neo-synephrine), oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal sprays and Visine eye drops(4 Trusted Source
Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

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).

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Combination Allergy Drugs

Over-the-counter drugs – cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D 12 Hour); Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Clarinex-D); Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D); and loratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) are oral drugs that contain a decongestant and an antihistamine.

Prescription drugs - 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.

Steroids

Steroids reduce inflammation associated with seasonal allergies and treat symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose.

Steroids are available in various forms of pills or liquids for severe allergies or asthma; inhalers, nasal sprays, skin creams, and eye drops are also available.

Prescription nasal sprays - Beclomethasone (Beconase, Qnasl, Qvar), ciclesonide (Alvesco, Omnaris, Zetonna), fluticasone furoate (Veramyst), and mometasone (Nasonex).

Over-the-counter nasal sprays - Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief), and triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR).

Eye Drops - Dexamethasone ophthalmic (Maxidex), and loteprednol ophthalmic (Alrex).

Oral Drugs - Prednisone (Deltasone), Methylprednisolone (Medrol).

Skin Creams - Betamethasone (Dermabet, Diprolene, others), Desonide (Desonate, DesOwen), Hydrocortisone (Locoid, Micort-HC, others), Mometasone (Elocon), and Triamcinolone(5 Trusted Source
Allergy Medications: Know your options

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).

Other Drugs

Other drugs have multiple effects apart from just blocking the effects of histamine, such as preventing immune cells from releasing other allergy-inducing chemicals. These types of drugs include mast cell stabilizers and leukotriene inhibitors.

They are generally safe but usually need to be used for several days to produce the full effect. These drugs can be used when antihistamines are not working or are not well-tolerated.

Over-the-counter nasal sprays include cromolyn (Nasalcrom) and prescription eyedrops include Cromolyn (Crolom), Lodoxamide (Alomide), and Nedocromil (Alocril)(5 Trusted Source
Allergy Medications: Know your options

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).

Montelukast (Singulair) is the only approved prescription oral drug available for treating hay fever or seasonal allergies. It relieves allergy signs and symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. It blocks symptom-causing chemicals called leukotrienes in the bloodstream.

The drug Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) can reduce runny nose when sprayed into each nostril. It works by reducing the mucus secretion from the glands lining the nasal passages.

Some simple over-the-counter products can help with allergy symptoms. They include:

  • The saltwater solution or saline available as a nasal spray to relieve mild congestion, loosen mucus, and prevent crusting.
  • Artificial tears to treat itchy, watery, and red eyes.

Allergy Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the most effective treatment if you suffer from seasonal allergies for a long time, particularly for those who cannot avoid allergens such as pollens, dust mites, and molds. This treatment aims to gradually increase the tolerance of the body's immune system to these allergens.

Shots – Immunotherapy is given as a series of injections, usually one or two times a week. The dosage is based on the patient's tolerance.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) – In this type, an allergen-based tablet is placed under your tongue (sublingual) and then absorbed. This treatment has been shown to reduce runny nose, congestion, eye irritation, and other symptoms associated with hay fever. It also improves asthma symptoms.

The FDA has approved several under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablets that can be taken at home. Prescription tablets - Grastek, Oralair, and Ragwitek, treat hay fever and work the same way as shots. Odactra is an under-the-tongue medication that can relieve symptoms of allergies to dust mites. Palforzia treats peanut allergy(6 Trusted Source
Treatment - Allergic Rhinitis

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).

Side Effects

The side effects of antihistamines mainly include headaches and dry eyes. If antihistamine drops sting or burn, try keeping them in the refrigerator or using refrigerated artificial-tear drops before you use them.

Side Effects of Allergy Drugs

Many older over-the-counter antihistamines can cause drowsiness. But now, newer antihistamines that don’t make you drowsy are available over-the-counter and by prescription.

Decongestants can cause irritability, trouble falling asleep, headache, increased blood pressure, and restricted urinary flow. If steroids are taken for a long time, they may cause side effects such as weight gain, swelling of the face, leg, or ankle, hormonal disturbance, muscle weakness, and stomach upset(7 Trusted Source
Seasonal Allergies: Which Medication is Right for You?

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).

The side effects of inhaled steroids include cough, throat irritation, hoarseness, or fungal infections of the mouth. In the case of eye drops, there is a risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infection. Mast cell stabilizers in the form of eye drops may cause burning, stinging, or blurred vision.

Topical creams that relieve allergic skin reactions may lead to skin discoloration and irritation. Long-term use can also cause skin thinning and abnormal hormone levels.

In some people, leukotriene inhibitors cause psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and suicidal thinking or behavior.

Get your doctor's advice

Consulting with your doctor will be the most effective way to choose the right allergy medications because even the over-the-counter allergy medications have side effects, and some allergy medications can cause problems when combined with other medications.

It's very important to talk to your doctor about taking allergy medications if you are:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Diagnosed with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis, or high blood pressure.
  • Taking other medications, including herbal supplements.
  • A child, may need different doses of medication or different medications from adults.
  • Already taking an allergy medication that isn't working, then bring the medication with you while you meet the doctor.

Keeping track of your allergy symptoms will help your doctor figure out which allergy medication works best for you. You might need to try a few medications to determine which are most effective and have the least side effects.

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