
Articles
Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud
Content
Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
Take extra steps when pollen counts are high
Keep indoor air clean
Try an over-the-counter remedy
Rinse your sinuses
Interested in alternative treatments? Consider these
When home remedies aren't enough, see your doctor
Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
Take extra steps when pollen counts are high
Keep indoor air clean
Try an over-the-counter remedy
Rinse your sinuses
Interested in alternative treatments? Consider these
When home remedies aren't enough, see your doctor
Try an over-the-counter remedy
Several types of nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms. They include:
- Oral antihistamines. Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).
- Decongestants. Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrinol, others) can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. Decongestants also come in nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine). Only use nasal decongestants for a few days in a row. Longer-term use of decongestant nasal sprays can actually worsen symptoms (rebound congestion).
- Nasal spray. Cromolyn sodium nasal spray can ease allergy symptoms and doesn't have serious side effects, though it's most effective when you begin using it before your symptoms start.
- Combination medications. Some allergy medications combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. Examples include loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) and fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D).