Allergy Facts
Itchy, red, watery eyes? Runny nose? Yep, you may be suffering from allergies.
When you have allergies, you may be sensitive to a variety of common substances, such as pollen, mold, animal dander, or dust. Seasonal allergies, often referred to as “hay fever,” are caused by reactions to types of pollen found in trees, grass, flowers, and weeds. When exposed to any of these pollens, an allergy sufferer may experience sneezing and runny nose (allergic rhinitis), itchy or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), itching of the skin, or hives. Allergy medicines aim to prevent or relieve many of these symptoms.
Some of these medicines also treat symptoms of the common cold such as runny nose and sneezing. Colds are a separate health condition but have some similar symptoms to allergies. If you are unsure if your symptoms point to a cold or allergies, decode your symptoms by reading these tips from Val Jones, M.D.
Allergy Treatments
Allergy products, like all over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, contain certain active ingredients that make them work in the human body. A product’s active ingredients, and how much is in each dose, are listed first on the Drug Facts label. There are several types of OTC allergy medicines to choose from depending on the type, timing, and severity of your symptoms, as well as your personal treatment needs and preferences: antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, mast cell stabilizers, combinations, and homeopathics.
- Antihistamines
- Corticosteroids
- Decongestants
- Mast Cell Stabilizers
- Combination products
- Homeopathic products
During an allergic reaction, the body releases different chemicals including histamines which can cause your nose, sinuses, and eyes to swell and become runny or itchy. Histamines can also cause your skin can break out in hives or an itchy rash. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamines that cause these allergic symptoms. These medicines are often used to treat seasonal or year-round nasal and eye allergies and they are found in the form of oral pills, tabs or liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays, and topical creams and ointments.
Antihistamine active ingredients in OTC allergy medicines include:
- Brompheniramine
- Cetirizine
- Chlorpheniramine
- Clemastine
- Diphenhydramine
- Doxylamine
- Fexofenadine
- Levocetirizine
- Loratadine
- Pheniramine
These medicines aim to reduce allergic symptoms including inflammation and swelling which can cause a stuffy, runny, and itchy nose. OTC corticosteroids are mostly found in the form nasal sprays, topical creams, and ointments. These nasal sprays can be indicated for seasonal or year-round nasal and ocular allergies. The creams and ointments are used to relieve skin itchiness and stop the spread of rashes. (Note that corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.)
Some corticosteroid active ingredients in OTC allergy medicines include:
- Budesonide
- Fluticasone
- Hydrocortisone
- Triamcinolone
These medicines reduce nasal and sinus stuffiness by shrinking swollen membranes, which can be a common symptom of allergies. OTC decongestants are found in the form pills, liquids, inhalants, nasal sprays and drops. Decongestants are often also combined with other OTC allergy treatment ingredients in “combination products.”
Some decongestant active ingredients in OTC allergy medicines include:
- Levmetamfetamine
- Oxymetazoline
- Phenylephrine
- Propylhexedrine
- Pseudoephedrine*
*(Note that decongestants or combination medications containing pseudoephedrine are located behind the pharmacy counter.)
These medicines help to prevent your body from releasing some types of cells that can trigger allergic symptoms. This can help with itchy, watery eyes or an itchy, runny nose. They are available as eye drops or nasal sprays.Mast Cell Stabilizers: These medicines help to prevent your body from releasing some types of cells that can trigger allergic symptoms. This can help with itchy, watery eyes or an itchy, runny nose. They are available as eye drops or nasal sprays.
Some mast cell stabilizer active ingredients in OTC allergy medicines include:
- Cromolyn Sodium
Adding two OTC active ingredients into one product is recognized as an “OTC drug combination” by the FDA. Combination products are available to treat several conditions and symptoms, including allergies, and they provide a safe, effective, and affordable way to treat multiple symptoms that might appear simultaneously. For example, several allergy products combine antihistamine active ingredients with decongestants. If you take an OTC combination product in conjunction with another OTC medication, always check the Drug Facts label to ensure you are not doubling up on the same active ingredient. Combination products: Adding two OTC active ingredients into one product is recognized as an “OTC drug combination” by the FDA. Combination products are available to treat several conditions and symptoms, including allergies, and they provide a safe, effective, and affordable way to treat multiple symptoms that might appear simultaneously. For example, several allergy products combine antihistamine active ingredients with decongestants. If you take an OTC combination product in conjunction with another OTC medication, always check the Drug Facts label to ensure you are not doubling up on the same active ingredient.
Homeopathic allergy care products are derived from carefully diluted amounts of botanical, mineral, or biological substances and are classified as either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines.
Some homeopathic active ingredients in OTC allergy medicines include:
- Apis
- Euphrasia
- Galphimia Glauca
- Histaminum Hydrochloricum
- Luffa Operculata
- Sabadilla
- Sanguinaria Canadensis
- Spigelia Anthelmia
- Sulfur
Allergy and Sinus Medicines Safe Use Tips
- Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product
- Allergy symptoms can be severe. If you have rapid or difficult breathing, or if you are wheezing, seek medical attention immediately
- Some oral allergy medicines may cause excitability or nervousness
- Some oral allergy medicines contain more than one active ingredient to treat additional symptoms, such as nasal congestion and headache. You should only treat the symptoms you have
- Some oral allergy medicines may cause drowsiness
- If you have emphysema, chronic bronchitis, glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate gland, talk to your healthcare provider before taking an oral allergy medicine
- Oral allergy medicines may react with certain prescription medicines. Speak with your healthcare provider before using an allergy medicine if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives
- Talk to your healthcare provider before taking an oral allergy medicine if you have liver or kidney disease
- Talk to your healthcare provider before using a topical allergy medicine if you have a fever, discolored nasal discharge, sinus pain, or wheezing
- If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, narrow angle glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate gland, talk to a healthcare provider before using an OTC allergy eye drop
- Stop using an OTC allergy eye drop and contact a healthcare provider if you experience eye pain, changes in vision, prolonged eye redness or irritation, or if your condition gets worse or lasts for more than three days
- Nasal allergy symptom controllers containing cromolyn sodium may take several days of use to take effect
- Brief stinging or sneezing may occur right after using a nasal allergy spray
- Do not use a nasal allergy spray to treat a sinus infection, asthma, or cold symptoms
- To prevent germs from spreading, do not share a nasal spray medicine with anyone else
- If your symptoms get worse, do not improve within two weeks, or if you develop new symptoms, stop using a nasal allergy spray and contact your healthcare provider
- As with most medicines, ask a healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Safe Use Tips for Parents
All of the tips for the safe use of OTC allergy medicines also apply to children. But there are some additional considerations when it comes to treating kids.
- Some OTC oral allergy medicines are available in different dosage strengths. Read the Drug Facts label carefully for appropriate child dosing information and contact a healthcare provider as directed
- Some oral allergy medicines may cause excitability or nervousness, especially in children. If you have any questions, contact your child’s healthcare provider
- Never use any allergy medicine to sedate or make a child sleepy
- Select an ingredient below for specific information about individual ingredients and how they are labeled for children:
- Brompheniramine
- Cetirizine
- Chlorpheniramine
- Clemastine
- Diphenhydramine
- Doxylamine
- Loratadine
- Pheniramine
Keep all medicines up and away and out of sight of children.
Not all products marketed under a brand contain the same ingredients. Please read the Drug Facts label carefully for active ingredient information.
Source: KnowYourOTCs
See also: Asthma