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Allergies are very common, and many people know all too well the range of symptoms that they cause. Allergies can be diet related, or caused by external and environmental factors such as pollen or dust. Hay fever is one of the most common allergies. Whether your allergies are year round or seasonal, this section offers a range of allergy medications and remedies to suit you. For help choosing the right product you can talk to a Pharmacist about your allergies toll free on 0800 000 980 in New Zealand.
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a particular substance that either enters or comes into contact with the body. Different reactions can be triggered by these substances. The most common are: sneezing, wheezing, coughing and itching or hives. The substances that cause allergic reactions are called "allergens" and can come in many different forms.
What are the common forms of allergens?
There are 3 basic categories of allergens: Food related, drug related and environmental.
The most common food allergens are: Eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy. Food allergies usually develop during early childhood and can be diagnosed based on the reaction of the child to a certain food that he or she has consumed.
Those who are allergic to a specific drug can experience symptoms in whatever form they take it, whether liquid, pill or injectable. Some of the most common triggers of drug allergies are: Penicillin and related antibiotics, antibiotics that contain sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and chemotherapy drugs.
Hay fever is another name for rhinitis, and it simply means inflammation of the nose. Common symptoms of hay fever are a stuffy nose or runny nose, watery eyes and a scratchy throat. Pollens are the most common triggers for allergic rhinitis but other environmental elements can also start up an attack. These include dust, dust mites, smoke and fumes from chemicals.
What are the best treatments for allergies?
No matter what type of allergy you have, the truth of the matter is there is no real cure for allergies. The products that are available simply help relieve the symptoms and discomfort associated with allergies. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or a combination of different allergy products.
The main treatment for allergy symptoms are antihistamines. These block the histamine - a chemical released by the immune system during an allergic reaction. The histamine is what causes the symptoms to appear. Antihistamines come in either pill, liquid or spray form and may be either over the counter allergy treatments or prescribed allergy medicine. Antihistamines help ease runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives and swelling.
Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness so it is usually advised to take them at night before bedtime. If taking them during the day cannot be avoided, people are advised to avoid driving or operating machinery. The good news is that a lot of 2nd and 3rd generation antihistamines no longer cause drowsiness, but reactions may still vary from person to person.
Here is a list of antihistamines to consider
Antihistamines that tend to cause drowsiness include:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Chlorpheniramine
These antihistamines are much less likely to cause drowsiness:
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
Nasal Spray
Some doctors prescribe antihistamine nasal sprays instead of pills. Nasal sprays are considered to deliver faster results because the treatment is localised to where the symptoms are occurring. Nasal sprays help relieve sneezing, itchy or runny nose, sinus congestion and postnasal drip. Possible side effects may include a bitter taste, drowsiness or fatigue.
Prescription antihistamine nasal sprays include:
Fluticasone propionate ( Flixonase Nasal Spray)
Budesonide (Butacort Nasal Spray )
Beclomethasone Dipropionate (Beconase Hayfever Spray, Alanase Aqueous Spray)
Eyedrops
If the problem is concentrated in the eyes, doctors may prescribe antihistamine eye drops. These are either over the counter or prescription drugs and help relieve itchy, red, swollen eyes. Side effects may include headache and dry eyes. If antihistamine drops sting or burn, try keeping them in the refrigerator or using refrigerated artificial-tear drops before you use the medicated drops. Examples include:
Naphazoline Hydrochloride and Pheniramine Maleate (Naphcon A Eye Drops, Naphcon Forte)
Levocabastine hydrochloride (Livostin Allergy Relief Eye Drops)
Ketotifen (Zaditen)
Pheniramine (Visine-A, Opcon-A, others)
Decongestants
If your problem is mainly a stuffy nose and sinus congestion, decongestants offer quick, temporary relief. Some cause insomnia, headaches, increased blood pressure and irritability. Decongestants come in various forms.
Pills and liquids
Oral decongestants are the most commonly prescribed both for adults and children who suffer from nasal and sinus congestion caused by hay fever.
A number of oral allergy medications contain a decongestant combined with an antihistamine.
Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D, Zetop, Histaclear)
Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Clarinex-D)
Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D, Telfast, Xergic)
Loratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D, Razene, Loratabs)
Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride (Levrix)
There are also nasal decongestant sprays and drops that help relieve nasal and sinus congestion. However, this type have the tendency to backfire if used too long. Repeated use for more than 3 consecutive days may result in a recurring and worsening condition.
Examples include:
Xylometazoline hydrochloride (Otrivine Adult Nasal Spray, Sudafed Nasal Decongestant Nasal Spray)
Sodium Chloride (Fess Saline Nasal Spray)
What are some alternative allergy remedies?
Aside from the conventional allergy medicines mentioned above, there are also a range of alternative remedy options.
Herbal supplements
Some herbs act as natural antihistamines. One powerful natural antihistamine that you can easily find in your pantry is green tea.
Dietary changes
By simply changing your diet, you may help your system get through allergy season. Some foods are known to help ease nasal congestion, particularly the spicy foods like cayenne pepper and hot ginger. Garlic and onion are also good for help with soothing and calming a sore nose and helping to clear the head. But there are also foods that are known to worsen nasal congestion. Examples of these are dried fruits and dairy products.
Natural rinses
Neti pots help flush out dust and pollens from your nose. By filling it with distilled or sterile water, you can use it to rinse one nostril at a time. Neti pots are easily available from your pharmacy and look like a little teapot with a long spout. Page updated 06/04/18 12:47:36 p.m.
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