{"id":2674,"date":"2018-05-09T19:22:18","date_gmt":"2018-05-09T23:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=2674"},"modified":"2024-03-21T16:26:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T20:26:10","slug":"seasonal-allergies-wrong-medication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/seasonal-allergies-wrong-medication\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you using the best seasonal allergy medicine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

About seasonal allergies<\/a> | Best seasonal allergy medicine<\/a> | Natural allergy remedies<\/a> | Save money on allergy medicine<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime can be a glorious season for those who enjoy warmer weather and more sunshine, but it\u2019s a mixed bag for people with seasonal allergies. It\u2019s not just in your head (or sinuses)\u2014allergy season is longer and more relentless than ever. Thanks to<\/span> global warming<\/span><\/a>, pollen counts are rising almost as quickly as the temperature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>SingleCare\u2019s allergy survey<\/span><\/a>, 44% of respondents reported having a pollen allergy and 78% reported taking allergy medicine. If you\u2019re one of many that are miserable from hay fever<\/span> (aka allergic rhinitis), you\u2019ll be reaching for an over-the-counter medication soon enough. But with so many options, how do you choose? Check out our guide to the best seasonal allergy medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seasonal allergies: Causes, symptoms, treatment<\/h2>\n

On the most basic level, allergies occur when your body attacks a foreign substance\u2014that can range from foods to pet dander and dust to pollen.<\/span><\/p>\n

The length, severity, and cycle of your allergies depends on where you live and what you\u2019re allergic to in particular. For example, allergy-prone North Texans are used to dealing with a wicked ragweed season in the fall, but as temperatures rise, that season has become nearly year-round, according to one local doctor.<\/span> If trees make you sneeze<\/span><\/a>, your allergy season could begin in February if you\u2019re down south; you\u2019ll be sitting pretty until May or June if you live in the Northern U.S. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers<\/span> an interactive map<\/span><\/a> from the National Allergy Bureau that offers information on local allergen levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, self-diagnosing is not what the doctor ordered.<\/span> An Australian study<\/span><\/a> observed nearly 300 people who believed they had hay fever based upon their symptoms. Researchers were surprised to find that only 17% of the group selected the correct OTC medication to treat their symptoms, and the bulk of them actually had another condition instead of hay fever. Most selected their medications without consulting a pharmacist while experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. Spending more on drugs that may not treat the condition can result in more missed days at work as well as general discomfort. 60% of people in the survey said that their symptoms had an impact on at least one aspect of their life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you go tackling your symptoms on your own, it\u2019s best to see an<\/span> allergist<\/span><\/a> for testing; that can head off more serious allergies that can cause deadly complications (such as anaphylaxis) or conditions that can coexist with allergies, like asthma. It can also be hard to differentiate between seasonal allergies, <\/span>a garden-variety cold, the flu<\/span><\/a>, or COVID-19. Then there\u2019s the question of whether you\u2019re experiencing<\/span> a sinus headache or a full-blown migraine<\/span><\/a>. These are all great reasons to consult your allergist, doctor, pharmacist, or even telehealth professional\u2014especially since there\u2019s a glut of anti-allergy treatments on the market.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which allergy medicine works the best?<\/h2>\n

So, which allergy medicine is best?<\/span><\/a> That\u2019s a great question, and it depends on what kind of allergies you have and what your system can tolerate. You have plenty of options, so let\u2019s break them down by type.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antihistamines<\/span><\/h3>\n

Oral antihistamines are a classic way to battle your symptoms, but some may cause drowsiness. An allergic reaction causes the immune system to release histamines to battle the foreign body, triggering inflammation that presents as allergy symptoms; antihistamines can reduce or block histamines before they can set off the immune system\u2019s response.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benadryl<\/span><\/a> (diphenhydramine) is one of the original antihistamines out there, and while it\u2019s still very effective, its sedating side effects can make it an unreasonable choice for daytime use. There are some<\/span> non-drowsy antihistamine options<\/span><\/a> on the market, like<\/span> Claritin<\/span><\/a> (loratadine),<\/span> Zyrtec Allergy<\/span><\/a> (cetirizine),<\/span> Xyzal<\/span><\/a> (levocetirizine dihydrochloride), and<\/span> Allegra<\/span><\/a> (fexofenadine) to battle symptoms. These non-drowsy options are called second- and third-generation antihistamines. Some antihistamines are available as<\/span> nasal sprays<\/span><\/a>, such as<\/span> Astepro (azelastine)<\/span><\/a>, but most allergy nasal sprays are steroids. <\/span>Common side effects<\/span><\/a> include headaches, nausea, anxiety, dry mouth, and fatigue. <\/span>These antihistamines are safe to use daily<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also antihistamines that pack a pseudoephedrine punch to ward off sinus congestion, like<\/span> Claritin-D<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> Allegra-D<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> Zyrtec-D<\/span><\/a>. However, pseudoephedrine can <\/span>increase blood pressure and cause cardiovascular problems<\/span><\/a>, not to mention triggering anxiety, dizziness, and generally feeling \u201cspeedy.\u201d They\u2019re also dangerous to<\/span> combine with alcohol<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Decongestants<\/span><\/h3>\n

Decongestants tackle inflammation and swelling in the tender tissues affected by allergies, which causes nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes, or a congested chest. One of the most popular decongestants is<\/span> Sudafed<\/span><\/a>, but its main active ingredient is pseudoephedrine, which plenty of users can\u2019t tolerate.<\/span> \u00a0Robitussin Cough+Chest Congestion<\/span><\/a> is an alternative decongestant for people who have high blood pressure or otherwise can\u2019t tolerate pseudoephedrine.<\/span> Mucinex<\/span><\/a> (guaifenesin) is not classified as a decongestant; it is an expectorant. It is a popular choice to loosen up mucus in the chest and make coughing more productive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Afrin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Neo-Synephrine<\/span><\/a> nasal allergy sprays are effective but generally not favored by healthcare providers; continuous use can cause what\u2019s known as<\/span> rebound congestion<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019re debating between Afrin and<\/span> Flonase<\/span><\/a> (fluticasone propionate), a corticosteroid,<\/span> this<\/span><\/a> will help you weigh the pros and cons. Decongestants can be useful for a stuffy nose and mucus build-up and are often used in conjunction with antihistamines. However, the aforementioned side effects make these a tricky option. They\u2019re also<\/span> not recommended<\/span><\/a> for pregnant people in the first trimester.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eye drops<\/span><\/h3>\n

If dry, itchy eyes are your main allergy symptom, eye drops may be the best solution. There are two varieties available: antihistamine and decongestant eye drops. Some popular ones include: <\/span>Visine<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Clear Eyes<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Refresh<\/span><\/a> Optive<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Lastacaft<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Acular<\/span><\/a>. Recently, some previously prescription-only eye drops have become available over the counter such as <\/span>Zaditor<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Pataday<\/span><\/a>. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about which one might be right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nasal steroids<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you have seasonal or year-round allergies, corticosteroid sprays could be the answer. Flonase,<\/span> Nasacort Allergy 24hr<\/span><\/a> (triamcinolone),<\/span> Nasonex<\/span><\/a> (mometasone), and<\/span> Rhinocort<\/span><\/a> (budesonide) are a few of the more popular sprays, and while they\u2019re thought to be more effective than antihistamines or decongestants, they don\u2019t work as quickly, and you have to take them regularly to realize their full benefit. They also come with a slew of possible side effects, like osteoporosis, high blood pressure, memory and mood issues, and weight gain. Long-term users can face even more serious side effects, such as decreased immunity, heart disease, and thinning of the skin. Still, nasal steroid sprays are thought to be more effective in general than other options for ongoing allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leukotriene modifiers<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you have allergies and asthma, <\/span>Singulair<\/span><\/a> may be the most effective treatment for you. There are two different allergic reactions: leukotriene and histamine. Unlike antihistamines, Singulair is an FDA-approved prescription drug that targets the leukotriene pathways and stops them from triggering an allergic response. <\/span>Singulair<\/span><\/a> may be prescribed alone or with additional allergy medicines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allergy shots<\/span><\/h3>\n

Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy, otherwise known as <\/span>allergy shots<\/span><\/a>, takes dedication but it can really pay off in the end. People with seasonal allergies can benefit as much as those who are allergic to food, pet dander, or insect stings. The allergist will inject a small amount of the allergen in question under the skin once a week for the first seven months or so. After that, treatments will taper off to once every two weeks, and eventually once every four weeks, for anywhere from three to five years or longer.<\/span> Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)<\/span><\/a> is a needle-free way to develop immunity to allergens, but the newer technology can only treat one allergen at a time, whereas SCIT can treat several.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have insurance or you\u2019re underinsured, allergy shots can be prohibitively expensive, and they require a real commitment to continuing the treatment over the duration of several years. However, as per the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, these shots are \u201cthe only treatment that changes the immune system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get rid of seasonal allergies fast<\/h2>\n

Even with the appropriate prescription, some individuals may not find complete relief from their seasonal allergy symptoms. Thankfully, there are<\/span> several tips to keep in mind<\/span><\/a> to help offset your runny nose and itchy eyes:<\/span><\/p>\n