Allergy Remedies

Allergies are symptoms of the immune system malfunctioning and causing an abnormal response to certain, usually harmless substances, called allergens. Some allergens that cause the most problems include pollen and molds. Allergy remedies can prevent this abnormal response. Some symptoms of allergies include sneezing and a runny nose, itchy skin or eyes and sometimes in a very severe reaction leading to anaphylactic shock. Allergy is different from intolerance and sensitivity in the way the body responds to the substance. Intolerance is the sensitivity to the substance, food or sometimes a drug that does not involve the body's immune system. Sensitivity is an adverse reaction of the body to chemicals in for instance smoke, beauty products, soap, cleaning products etc. and also does not involve the immune system.

Allergy Symptoms

Allergies can cause more than the familiar runny nose, itchy throat and streaming eyes that we are familiar with.

Sneezing
During an allergy attack the defense mechanisms in the body causes irritation in the nose which causes you to sneeze in an attempt to eject the allergen.

Sinus Pain
The lining of the sinuses produces more mucus during an allergy attack which causes pressure and pain around the eyes and behind the forehead.

Watery Eyes
When allergens in the air, dust and pollen for instance, come into contact with the eyes they cause irritation which prompts the tear ducts to produce for fluid in order to try to eject the allergen.

There has been an increase in the number of sufferers taking medication for the allergies as well as an increase in the types of remedies available. About 50% of sufferers take prescription medication while about 35% take over-the-counter remedies.

Oral Antihistamines

The most common allergy medication taken are oral antihistamines which were by blocking histamine which is the cause of many of the symptoms. Some of the older antihistamines cause drowsiness but the newer products do not.

Some of the newer antihistamines include allegra, zyrtec, clarinex and claritin. Antihistamines give only temporary relief and do not help nasal congestion. They do help with teaching sneezing and hives. Older types of antihistamines had a major side effect in that they cause drowsiness. Blocking histamine prevent nerve cells communicating efficiently and therefore affect normal brain function.

The newer antihistamines are supposed to be non-sedating and some, like Claritin, are available over-the-counter. Others are only available on prescription. For some people than you were antihistamines do not work well and the doctor may then prescribe the older antihistamines.

Nasal Antihistamines

Some newer antihistamines that are available by prescription are introduced directly to the nose. Astelin is the first medication of this type and can give up to 12 hours of relief. There are some side effects however including headaches, drowsiness and it may taste bitter and the drips into the throat from the nose.

Decongestants

Decongestants are used to reduce the build up of fluid in the sinus area that causes a feeling of blockage, runny noses and post nasal drip. Medications contain either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. They work by constricting blood vessels entering the nose. They are available over-the-counter or by prescription as pills, sprays and drops. Although they are effective for treating congestion they're not very good at dealing with itching and sneezing. Some decongestants available are Sudafed, Dura-Vent, Atrohist Plus and Poly-Histine.

Side Effects

Although they do not cause drowsiness they can cause insomnia. They can be prescribed together with antihistamines as the side effects counteract each other. Other side effects include headache, nervousness and high blood pressure. They should not be taken by people with diabetes, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, or heart diseases or by those taking some types of antidepressants. They should not be taken for more than two or three days as a rebound effect can cause the congestion to become worse.

Nasal Sprays

Non-steroid Nasal Sprays

The medication usually used in non-steroid nasal sprays iscromolyn sodium which is also safe for pregnant women. It works by preventing the release of histamine but it can cause slight irritation in the nose. It needs to be taken a few weeks before the allergy season and it is recommended to rinse out the nose with a salt solution before using the spray as this helps the medicine penetrate the lining of the nose. Non-steroid nasal sprays are available over-the-counter or by prescription.

Steroid Nasal Sprays

Steroid nasal sprays are effective in treating congestion, itching, sneezing and post nasal drip. They work by decreasing inflammation and preventing the production of histamine and other chemicals associated with the symptoms. As they are not easily absorbed by the blood they do not cause as many symptoms as oral steroid. They are available on prescription and do have some side effects including weight gain, insomnia and other side effects associated with steroid.

Conclusion

Allergy remedies can be effective at treating the symptoms of an allergic attack but usually provide only temporary relief.

Allergy Remedies