Because you can't always avoid allergy triggers, you may need medication to help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Allergy medications are available in pill, liquid, nasal spray, eyedrop and skin cream (topical) forms. Some are available over-the-counter while others are available by prescription only.
The best medication or combination of medications for you depends on your symptoms, what other health conditions you have and what other medications you take. Certain allergy medications work better for some people than others. You may need to try a few different medications to determine which ones are most effective and have the least bothersome side effects.
To choose the best allergy medications for you, learn what's available to treat your symptoms — and work with your doctor to figure out what medications is best for you.
Corticosteroids
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
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Nasal sprays Examples include:
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These prescription medications prevent and relieve allergy symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose. For many people, these nasal sprays are the most effective treatment for allergy symptoms caused by hay fever or pets. It may take a few days or longer of regular use before your symptoms improve. Nasal corticosteroids are generally safe for extended use. |
Mild side effects can include:
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Eyedrops Examples include:
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Corticosteroid eyedrops are prescription medications used to treat severe allergy symptoms such as red, watery and itchy eyes caused by hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. They are used for only a short period of time when other types of eyedrops don't work. You may be advised to avoid these medications if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. |
These medications can cause:
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Skin creams Examples include:
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These medications relieve the scaling and itching caused by eczema (atopic dermatitis). Some low-potency corticosteroid creams are available without a prescription, but you should always talk to your doctor before using any topical corticosteroid. |
Side effects can include:
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Pills and liquids Examples include:
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Oral corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat severe allergy symptoms. Because they can cause serious side effects, they're usually prescribed for only short periods of time. |
Long-term use of these medications can cause serious side effects such as:
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Decongestants
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
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Pills and liquids Examples include:
Many medications contain a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine combined with other medications. Claritin-D, for example, contains pseudoephedrine and an antihistamine. |
Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion caused by hay fever, as well as eye congestion caused by allergic conjunctivitis. Most decongestants are available over-the-counter. You should not use these medications if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). |
Side effects of these medications can include:
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Nasal sprays Examples include:
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Decongestant sprays relieve nasal, sinus and eye congestion. Don't use a decongestant nasal spray for more than two or three days at a time. After longer use, you may develop severe congestion as soon as you stop (rebound congestion). |
Nasal decongestants can cause:
Taking too much of a nasal decongestant may cause:
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Eyedrops Examples include:
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Over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops or combined decongestant-antihistamine eyedrops can temporarily alleviate symptoms such as redness and itchiness of the eye. |
Side effects include:
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Cromolyn and mast cell stabilizers
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
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Nasal spray Available over-the-counter, the nasal spray cromolyn sodium (examples include NasalCrom, Children's NasalCrom) works best when you take it before your symptoms develop. Some people need to use the spray three or four times a day. |
Mast cell stabilizer nasal sprays prevent the release of the symptom-triggering chemical histamine. They reduce symptoms associated with hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. |
This medication can cause minor side effects, which include:
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Eyedrops Several different mast cell stabilizer eyedrops are available by prescription. None are sold over-the-counter. Examples include:
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Mast cell stabilizer eyedrops prevent the release of the symptom-triggering chemical histamine. They reduce symptoms associated with hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. |
Cromolyn sodium and lodoxamide can cause:
Pemirolast may cause:
Nedocromil may cause side effects including:
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Immunotherapy: An option if medications are ineffective
If you have hay fever symptoms or allergic asthma that doesn't improve with medications or if you aren't able to take allergy medications without side effects, your doctor may recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy). Over a period of three to five years, you receive regular injections containing allergen extracts. The goal is to desensitize you to specific allergens and decrease or eliminate your need for medications.
Immunotherapy may be especially effective if you're allergic to cat dander, dust mites or pollen produced by trees, grass and weeds. In children with allergic rhinitis, immunotherapy may help prevent the development of asthma. Rarely, immunotherapy injections can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Work with your doctor
By understanding how allergy medications work, you can work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that's best for you. Before taking any medication — prescription or over-the-counter — be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, if you have any chronic health problems such as diabetes, glaucoma or high blood pressure, or if you're taking any other medications. This will help you avoid a drug interaction or other adverse effect.
Keep track of your symptoms, when you use your medications, and how much you use — that way you and your doctor can figure out what works best. It may not be possible for you to avoid allergy symptoms altogether — but working with your doctor to find the right medications can help.
Barrier: I don't have enough time to exercise
Setting aside time to exercise can be a challenge. Use a little creativity to get the most out of your time.
- Squeeze in a few 10-minute walks throughout the day. If you don't have time for a full workout, don't sweat it. Shorter spurts of exercise spaced throughout the day offer benefits, too.
- Get up earlier. If your days are packed and the evening hours are just as hectic, get up 30 minutes earlier twice a week to exercise. Once you've adjusted to early morning workouts, add another day or two to the routine.
- Claim the back row of the parking lot as your own. Or park a few blocks away and walk quickly to your destination.
- Rethink your rituals. Your weekly Saturday matinee with the kids or with your best friend could be reborn as your weekly Saturday bike ride, rock-climbing lesson or trip to the pool.
Barrier: Exercise is boring
It's natural to grow weary of a repetitive workout day after day, especially when you're going it alone. But exercise doesn't have to be boring.
- Think of it as an activity. If you choose activities you enjoy, you're more likely to stay interested. Remember, anything that gets you moving counts.
- Vary the routine. Rotate among several activities — such as walking, swimming and cycling — to keep you on your toes while conditioning different muscle groups.
- Join forces with friends, relatives, neighbors or co-workers. Enjoy the camaraderie, and offer encouragement to one another when the going gets tough.
- Check out exercise classes or sports leagues at a recreation center or health club. Learn new skills while getting a great workout.
Barrier: I'm too lazy to exercise
If the mere thought of a morning jog makes you tired, try these thoughts on for size:
- Set realistic expectations. If your mental bar is too high, you might give up without even trying. Start with a walk around the block. Don't give up if you feel worn out. Take another walk around the block tomorrow. Keep it up, and eventually you'll no longer feel worn out. That's progress!
- Work with your nature, not against it. Plan physical activity for times of the day when you tend to feel more energetic — or at least not quite so lazy.
- Schedule exercise as you would schedule an important meeting or appointment. Block off times for physical activity, and make sure your friends and family are aware of your commitment. Ask for their encouragement and support.
Barrier: I'm not athletic
Natural athletic ability isn't a prerequisite to physical activity. Try something simple, such as a daily walk. Better yet, team up with friends who are in the same boat. Have fun while helping each other work out. Don't worry about becoming a superstar athlete or joining the hard-bodied athletes at the fitness club. Simply focus on the positive changes you're making to your body and mind.
Barrier: I can't afford to buy fancy exercise equipment or join a health club
You don't need a membership at an elite gym to get a great workout. Consider common-sense alternatives.
- Do strengthening exercises at home. Use inexpensive resistance bands — lengths of elastic tubing available in varying strengths — in place of weights. Lift plastic milk jugs partially filled with water or sand. Do push-ups or squats using your body weight.
- Queue up an exercise video. Try videos on dance aerobics, cardio-kickboxing, yoga or tai chi. For variety, trade exercise videos with a friend or check out the options at your local library or video rental store.
- Start a walking group. Round up friends, neighbors or co-workers for regular group walks. Plan routes through your neighborhood or near your workplace, along local parks and trails, or in a nearby shopping mall.
- Take the stairs. Skip the elevator when you can. Better yet, make climbing stairs a workout in itself.
- Try your community center. Exercise classes offered at your community center or recreation department or through your local community education group might fit your budget better than an annual gym membership.
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