Terrible Allergies! Need Help!?!
Question: Terrible Allergies! Need Help!!?
Lately I have been having terrible allergies and I need an otc medication/other help!. I wake up and my nose hurts, I go through the day sneezing, and at night my nose is running and eyes hurt!. Sometimes in the day I get sneezing attacks where I sneeze up to 6-7 times in a minute!. I have been taking up to 4 benedryl per day but they really have no effect on me at all!. Is there anything out there that helps, or do I have to suffer through this!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Have you tried claritin, zyrtec, etc!? They were prescription, but are now otc!. Zyrtec does take time to work as it needs to build up in your system!. Sounds like you have a case of hay fever, which starts up again in the fall for many sufferers!. Mostly, all you can do is take an antihistamine, gargle with salt water if your throat gets sore, and try to avoid the allergens by closing windows and using air conditioner or filter!. When it gets to be too much to bare, your family dr!. or allergist can prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays that are very helpful to most patients!. Hope something here helps!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I used to be in the same boat, until I visited my allergist!. He prescribed Nasonex (a nasal steroid) and Allegra D (Allegra combined with Sudafed) and Claratin (to help with breathing)!. Have him or her perform an allergy test on you to see exactly what you are allergic to, they do this by scraping a little piece of skin and putting a sample of the irritant on it!. Until you do this you can buy some of these medicines in different brands over the counter!. There is no need for you to keep suffering!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Oral Anti-Histamines
This is the most common class of medications used for allergic rhinitis!. The first generation anti-histamines, which includes Benadryl?, are generally considered too sedating for routine use!. These medications have been shown to affect work performance and alter a person's ability to operate an automobile!.
Newer, second-generation anti-histamines have now become first-line therapy for people with allergic rhinitis!. These prescription medications include cetirizine (Zyrtec?), fexofenadine (Allegra?), and desloratadine (Clarinex?)!. Loratadine (Claritin?, Alavert? and generic forms) is now available over the counter!.
These medications have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, easy for people to take, start working within a few hours, and therefore can be given on an "as needed" basis!. The medications are particularly good at treating sneezing, runny nose, and itching of the nose as a result of allergic rhinitis!. Side effects are rare, and include a low-rate of sedation or sleepiness, but much less than the first-generation anti-histamines!.
Topical Nasal Steroids
This class of allergy medications is probably the most effective at treating nasal allergies, as well as non-allergic rhinitis!. There are numerous topical nasal steroids on the market and are all available by prescription!. Some people note that one smells or tastes better than another, but they all work about the same!. This group of medications includes:
fluticasone (Flonase?)
mometasone (Nasonex?)
budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua?)
flunisolide (Nasarel?)
triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ?)
beclomethasone (Beconase AQ?)
Nasal steroids are excellent at controlling allergic rhinitis symptoms!. However, the sprays need to be used daily for best effect and therefore don't work well as needed!. Side effects are mild and limited to nasal irritation and nose bleeds!. The use of these nasal sprays should be stopped if irritation or bleeding is persistent or severe!.
Other Prescription Nasal Sprays
There are two other prescription nasal sprays available: a nasal anti-histamine, and a nasal anti-cholinergic!. The anti-histamine, azelastine (Astelin?), is effective at treating allergic and non-allergic rhinitis!. It treats all nasal symptoms similar to nasal steroids and should be used routinely for best effect!. Side effects are generally mild and include local nasal irritation and some reports of sleepiness, as it is a first-generation anti-histamine!.
Nasal ipratropium (Atrovent nasal?) works to dry up nasal secretions, and is indicated at treating allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, and symptoms of the common cold!. It works great at treating a "drippy nose", but will not treat nasal itching or nasal congestion symptoms!. Side effects are mild and typically include local nasal irritation and dryness!.
Over-the-Counter Nasal Sprays
This group includes cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom?) and topical decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin?) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine?)!. Cromolyn works by preventing allergic rhinitis symptoms only if used before exposure to allergic triggers!. This medication therefore does not work on an as-needed basis!.
Topical decongestants are helpful in treating nasal congestion!. These medications should be used for limited periods of three days every two-four weeks; otherwise there can be a rebound/worsening of nasal congestion called rhinitis medicamentosa!.
The side effects of the above are both generally mild and include local nasal irritation and bleeding, but topical decongestants should be used with caution in patients with heart or blood pressure problems!.
Oral Decongestants
Oral decongestants, with or without oral anti-histamines, are useful medications in the treatment of nasal congestion in people with allergic rhinitis!. This class of medications includes pseudoephrine (Sudafed?), phenylephrine, and numerous combination products!. Decongestant/anti-histamine combination products (such as Allegra-D?, Zyrtec-D?, Clarinex-D? and Claritin-D? are indicated for treating allergic rhinitis in people 12 years of age and older!.
This class of medication works well for occasional and as-needed use, but side effects with long-term use can include insomnia, headaches, elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and nervousness!.
Leukotriene Blockers
Montelukast (Singulair?), was originally developed for asthma approximately ten years ago, and is now approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis as well!. Studies show that this medication is not as good at treating allergies as the oral anti-histamines, but may be better at treating nasal congestion!. In addition, the combination of montelukast and an oral anti-histamine may be better at treating allergies than either medication alone!.
Montelukast may be of particular benefit for people with mild asthma and allergic rhinitis, since it is indicated for both medical conditions!. The medication must be taken daily for best effects, and usually takes a few days before it starts working!. Side effects are usually mild and include headaches, abdominal pains, and fatigue
http://www!.weather!.com/activities/health!.!.!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
This is the most common class of medications used for allergic rhinitis!. The first generation anti-histamines, which includes Benadryl?, are generally considered too sedating for routine use!. These medications have been shown to affect work performance and alter a person's ability to operate an automobile!.
Newer, second-generation anti-histamines have now become first-line therapy for people with allergic rhinitis!. These prescription medications include cetirizine (Zyrtec?), fexofenadine (Allegra?), and desloratadine (Clarinex?)!. Loratadine (Claritin?, Alavert? and generic forms) is now available over the counter!.
These medications have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, easy for people to take, start working within a few hours, and therefore can be given on an "as needed" basis!. The medications are particularly good at treating sneezing, runny nose, and itching of the nose as a result of allergic rhinitis!. Side effects are rare, and include a low-rate of sedation or sleepiness, but much less than the first-generation anti-histamines!.
Topical Nasal Steroids
This class of allergy medications is probably the most effective at treating nasal allergies, as well as non-allergic rhinitis!. There are numerous topical nasal steroids on the market and are all available by prescription!. Some people note that one smells or tastes better than another, but they all work about the same!. This group of medications includes:
fluticasone (Flonase?)
mometasone (Nasonex?)
budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua?)
flunisolide (Nasarel?)
triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ?)
beclomethasone (Beconase AQ?)
Nasal steroids are excellent at controlling allergic rhinitis symptoms!. However, the sprays need to be used daily for best effect and therefore don't work well as needed!. Side effects are mild and limited to nasal irritation and nose bleeds!. The use of these nasal sprays should be stopped if irritation or bleeding is persistent or severe!.
Other Prescription Nasal Sprays
There are two other prescription nasal sprays available: a nasal anti-histamine, and a nasal anti-cholinergic!. The anti-histamine, azelastine (Astelin?), is effective at treating allergic and non-allergic rhinitis!. It treats all nasal symptoms similar to nasal steroids and should be used routinely for best effect!. Side effects are generally mild and include local nasal irritation and some reports of sleepiness, as it is a first-generation anti-histamine!.
Nasal ipratropium (Atrovent nasal?) works to dry up nasal secretions, and is indicated at treating allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, and symptoms of the common cold!. It works great at treating a "drippy nose", but will not treat nasal itching or nasal congestion symptoms!. Side effects are mild and typically include local nasal irritation and dryness!.
Over-the-Counter Nasal Sprays
This group includes cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom?) and topical decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin?) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine?)!. Cromolyn works by preventing allergic rhinitis symptoms only if used before exposure to allergic triggers!. This medication therefore does not work on an as-needed basis!.
Topical decongestants are helpful in treating nasal congestion!. These medications should be used for limited periods of three days every two-four weeks; otherwise there can be a rebound/worsening of nasal congestion called rhinitis medicamentosa!.
The side effects of the above are both generally mild and include local nasal irritation and bleeding, but topical decongestants should be used with caution in patients with heart or blood pressure problems!.
Oral Decongestants
Oral decongestants, with or without oral anti-histamines, are useful medications in the treatment of nasal congestion in people with allergic rhinitis!. This class of medications includes pseudoephrine (Sudafed?), phenylephrine, and numerous combination products!. Decongestant/anti-histamine combination products (such as Allegra-D?, Zyrtec-D?, Clarinex-D? and Claritin-D? are indicated for treating allergic rhinitis in people 12 years of age and older!.
This class of medication works well for occasional and as-needed use, but side effects with long-term use can include insomnia, headaches, elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and nervousness!.
Leukotriene Blockers
Montelukast (Singulair?), was originally developed for asthma approximately ten years ago, and is now approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis as well!. Studies show that this medication is not as good at treating allergies as the oral anti-histamines, but may be better at treating nasal congestion!. In addition, the combination of montelukast and an oral anti-histamine may be better at treating allergies than either medication alone!.
Montelukast may be of particular benefit for people with mild asthma and allergic rhinitis, since it is indicated for both medical conditions!. The medication must be taken daily for best effects, and usually takes a few days before it starts working!. Side effects are usually mild and include headaches, abdominal pains, and fatigue
http://www!.weather!.com/activities/health!.!.!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com