There are all sorts of over-the-counter treatments to help alleviate the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. The thing you need to know is not all products are the same, and some products on the market will take care of some of your symptoms, while others may not, so it's important to know which seasonal allergy medications will work best for your needs. The top three seasonal allergy medications are Flonase, Sudafed and Zyrtec, though there are many other options available. It is important that you are able to identify the differences between the types of over the counter medications for allergies available to you. Keep reading to find out more about upper respiratory allergies, and how you can best treat them.
Nasal steroidal sprays like Flonase can be very effective in the treatment of seasonal allergies. If you intend to use a steroidal nasal spray, you need to be aware that it could take several days before you begin to feel the effects of the medicine. Although the medication begins to work to reduce the inflammation caused by your allergies a couple of hours after you take it, you may not feel the full effects for days or even weeks. Also if you are planning to treat your condition with a nasal steroidal spray, you need to commit to taking it every day to continue to benefit from it.
Antihistamines like Zyrtec work well to alleviate symptoms like sneezing and itching. They also help with runny noses and congestion. Zyrtec is considered a second line antihistamine, meaning unlike some of its predecessors, it does not cause marked drowsiness.
Unless you have had a test administered by your physician, to determine exactly what you're allergic to, it can be difficult to discern what your allergens are. Moreover, if your allergens are things found in the environment it may be difficult for you to avoid coming into contact with them. Some of the most common allergens include pollen, mildew and mold, dust mites and Industrial chemicals.
Decongestant like Sudafed, reduce the swelling of the lining and blood vessels in your nose caused by your allergies. Although decongestants will relieve the stuffiness and congestion you feel when your allergies have flared up, they don't do anything to alleviate the sneezing, and the itching associated with allergies. You can however purchase decongestant antihistamine combination medicine.
You should never take an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine longer than seven days without consulting your physician. Your physician may determine that over the counter antihistamines like Zyrtec are fine for you to take on an ongoing basis. Your doctor may also determine you need something a little stronger than what you can find over the counter.
Now that Flonase and Zyrtec can be purchased over the counter, the price of these medications has decreased dramatically. Depending on where you go to purchase these medications, you could pay somewhere between $12 to $30.
Lots of people think the terms allergy and allergen are interchangeable. Nothing could be further from the truth, as an allergy is the condition which causes the watery itchy eyes, and the sneezing. An allergen is the thing that you are allergic to. For instance, some people are allergic two weeds, trees, and grass. Others are allergic to foods like shellfish, pineapple, and peanuts.
If you have a history of hypertension or heart disease, you should consult your physician before you take any over the counter allergy remedy. Medications like Sudafed, can cause an elevation of your blood pressure, however, manufacturers do make formulas of these medications like Zyrtec-D, that are specifically for people who are hypertensive, or diabetic.