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I've tried everything: Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Xyzal, Benadryl, Nasacort, Flonase – even a neti pot – and yet, I have a hard time finding one effective tool to rid my bloodshot eyes and my mucous nose once and for all.
According to Dr. David Erstein, allergist at Allergy and Asthma Wellness, Advanced Dermatology and NYC HHC, you also have trouble finding the treatment that's right for you, sometimes just a combination of different types of drugs (and not never leave your house) to fight the nightmare of seasonal allergies.
You can develop a tolerance to drugs, but there are also a number of other factors
First of all, you need to know a little about the allergy medications you are probably taking. The two most common types of medications you will find over the counter are antihistamines and steroidal nasal sprays.
Antihistamines block histamine, a chemical that causes an overreaction of the immune system to "threats" such as pollen. Medications like Claritin are considered "second generation" antihistamines because they do not cause side effects, such as drowsiness, that you might find with "first generation" medications like Benadryl. (You might prefer the old one for that reason.)
Steroid nasal sprays (like Flonase) help reduce your allergies by asking your nasal passages to stop making proteins like histamines and beginning by doing those that suppress your allergic reactions, writes Iodine; Erstein said that these sprays are usually more effective than your usual antihistamine. (There are a number of other prescription drugs that you can get from a doctor such as "beta-agonist" inhalers).
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According to Erstein, it is quite possible to develop a tolerance to one or other of the drugs. Therefore, the Zyrtec that you use daily can feel as if it was losing its effectiveness over time. Research on tolerance to allergy medications is rare, but several other explanations must also be taken into account.
Weather conditions play a key role in seasonal allergies: dry, windy weather more easily distributes allergens such as pollen, while a rainy day can reduce the number of pollen, which may explain why you're feeling particularly wrong right now. (It has been shown that air pollution exacerbates allergic reactions and tends to increase in the summer.) It is annoying to find that allergies may worsen with age and that stress may explain why you sneeze. more often than usual. Of course, everyone reacts differently to allergy medications. Therefore, a number of these factors can result in a whole day of sneezing.
Combine antihistamines with a steroid spray
According to Erstein, the first line of treatment of seasonal allergies is generally to use a steroidal nasal spray. with an oral antihistamine. If an antihistamine like Zyrtec suddenly feels like it's not working (like your eyes are red or mucus is everywhere), you can use another antihistamine like Allegra to try it. Going back, that's good too, says Erstein.
You can also supplement both with a general saline nasal spray to rinse your nose. You can also use a decongestant nasal spray, which narrows the blood vessels of the nose to relieve short-term congestion, although Erstein also warns against their long-term use, especially in the case of the Afrin spray. "If you use it for more than a few days, you can have what is called" rebound rhinitis, "he said. "It helps you, and all of a sudden, your congestion comes back and more quickly."
The best preparation, however, should arrive weeks before the allergy season, he added. "In general, I tell people to use steroid sprays a few weeks before the start of the season, so that you do not get so bombarded. The problem with steroid nasal sprays is that they do not work as quickly. If you are in the middle of [an allergy] season, the problem with the [nose’s] The anatomy is that everything is inflamed with irritants. Even if you use the steroid nasal spray, you are trying to catch up. "
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You can relieve allergies by changing your behavior.
And if allergy medications fail, you can always do something to relieve yourself. Perhaps the most obvious – staying indoors – is important enough, especially if you have something like pollen allergies. "Limiting your exposure to those substances you are allergic to will help you," he said. "These pollens travel for miles [and] will stay on you, so when you come back from outside, it is important to change before going to bed. "
If you can not stay all day at home as a hermit, Erstein also recommends, at the very least, to keep the windows closed in the morning, when the pollen count is usually at its maximum, and to change your filter regularly in your air conditioner. this will help trap some of your allergens. And if you are in a desperate situation, Erstein also recommends allergic immunotherapy, which involves several shots over several years but is still not irreproachable. Consult your doctor if the risk seems to be a bet that you are ready to play.
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