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Posts Tagged ‘Seasonal allergies’

Allergies and Allergy Relief. By Our Student Pharmacist, Dakota Arledge.

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Being a little over halfway through the month of June, I’m sure many of us have been experiencing the classic symptoms that accompany the changing of the seasons. Although many may only have allergies just a few months out of the year, in Ohio allergy season is said to begin as early as February and last until November.

Hopefully with some help from these tips, we can all enjoy the outdoors in spite of the pollen in the air.

What are Allergies?

Allergies occur as a result of our immune systems overreacting to substances in the air, which under normal circumstances would protect us from foreign pathogens.

During different times of the year, different allergens may be more or less prominent in the air which is why most people only experience allergies during specific seasons.

In Ohio, some of the most prominent allergens tend to be molds and pollens.

A graphic of the most common allergens by month can be found below.
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Fortunately for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, there are many options available to find relief during allergy season. Several options don’t even require medication, and medication options that are available are easily accessible over the counter.

 Allergy Relief

One of the first things to try to manage your allergies is to simply remove yourself from the allergen. This can be done in several ways including:

  • Closing windows (especially at night)
  • Wearing a mask
  • Removing pet hair
  • Cleaning dusty surfaces
  • Installing a HEPA air filter

It can also be very beneficial to track the pollen count to see how it correlates with your symptoms and help you plan ahead. If you happen to notice that high pollen counts are on the horizon, it might be a good idea to take some of the precautions listed above, or preemptively start an allergy medication.

Pollen.com offers interactive pollen maps throughout the country, which can be very helpful during allergy season.

If you’re still having symptoms after trying any of the strategies above, stop by your local pharmacy to pick up any of the below over-the-counter medications for near instant relief.

  • Flonase– for congestion or irritated eyes
  • Zyrtec– for itching, sneezing, or runny nose
  • Allegra– for itching, sneezing, or runny nose
  • Claritin– for itching, sneezing, or runny nose
  • Sudafed– for nasal congestion

If you’re overwhelmed by the number of choices available to you, be sure to ask the pharmacist what medication might be best for you. There are an abundance of choices for allergy relief, so if one agent doesn’t work, don’t be discouraged. With the help of your local medication expert, you’ll be sure to find something that suits your specific needs.

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If after going through all of this you still can’t find relief, you’ll be happy to know that there are other options. Seeing an allergy specialist is a great place to start. They can offer tests to allow you determine what particular irritants trigger your allergies throughout the year, allowing you to better understand your immune system. On top of this, they can offer allergy shots which can increase tolerance to allergens over time, which in the long term can provide some serious relief.

Seasonal Allergies. By Our Student Pharmacist, Aaron Reed.

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Seasonal Allergy Basics

As the end of spring approaches and the summer heat begins to rise in Ohio, plants, trees, and flowers reach full bloom. This increase in plant growth also means drastic increases in the production of pollen. If you are one of the millions of individuals who suffer yearly from seasonal allergies, you have been suffering from what seems to be never ending sneezing, congestion, itchy and watery eyes, and many other bothersome symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis, or what is more commonly referred to as seasonal allergies or hay fever, can turn any day into a miserable one. Before deciding to stay inside for the rest of the summer, try these simple strategies to get your symptoms under control and get you back out the door doing the things you love to do!

Reducing Exposure

One of the best ways to overcome seasonal allergies is to reduce the amount of exposure to things that may trigger your allergy symptoms, also called allergens. Allergy symptoms can flare up when there is a lot of pollen in the air, with the most prevalent time being in the early morning. Avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning can help reduce your exposure to pollen. Local TV, radio, and weather stations forecast the predicted levels of pollen on a daily basis. Checking these levels should always be your first step before heading outdoors.

Other ways to reduce your pollen exposure are to stay indoors on dry, windy days, close doors and windows when pollen counts are high and use air conditioning when possible in your car and home.

If using central air conditioning in your home, make sure that high-efficiency filters are routinely changed to keep the indoor air clean.

Lastly, delegate outdoor tasks such as lawn mowing, weed pulling, and gardening which can severely stir up pollen around you. Thankfully as summer rolls around, so does the increase in summer storms which help to clear pollen from the air giving some symptoms relief after a good rain.

Allergies 2Best Over-the-counter (OTC) Remedies

If allergen avoidance isn’t efficient or not a viable option in your daily routine, there are several types of over-the-counter medications that are available to help ease your seasonal allergy symptoms. Any pharmacist possesses the expertise about these over-the-counter options and can help you find the medication best suited to relieve your symptoms.

Below are the best options to relieve even your worst allergy symptoms:

  • Nasal Corticosteroids – Nasal sprays such as Flonase, Nasacort, or Rhinocort are first-line treatment options to help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies by reducing the body’s inflammatory response to allergens.
  • Oral antihistamines – the most common treatment for seasonal allergies. Medications such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra help to relieve the itching, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms. If one of these medications doesn’t work the best for you, try another. These medications are interchangeable and sometimes have different responses in different people.
  • Eye allergy relief – if you experience itchy, watery eyes in addition to your other allergy symptoms, OTC eye drops such as Zatidor or Pataday eye allergy relief are great options to reduce irritation.
  • Decongestants – These medications work to relieve the nasal pressure and congestion that can cause headaches or discomfort in addition to other allergy symptoms. They are commonly called Pseudoephed products. WARNING! Oral decongestants elevate blood pressure and are not appropriate for people with high blood pressure or certain heart conditions.
  • Combination medications – Oftentimes, medications are combined to include oral antihistamines and decongestants in one convenient dose. Products like Claritin-D, Allegra-D or Aleve-D cold and sinus offer these combination products. These are great pharmacist directed options available through the pharmacy to combat many allergy symptoms at once!
  • Non-medicated nasal irrigation – options such as Neti-Pot or other saline irrigation symptoms are great non-medication options to help rinse the sinuses of accumulated pollen and other allergens.

When OTC products are just not enough!

If you still seem to be suffering from seasonal allergies following allergen avoidance or pharmacist directed therapy, don’t give up! It may be time to visit your primary care doctor. If your allergies are bad enough, your physician is able to run skin or blood allergy tests to find out the exact cause of what is producing your symptoms. Identifying this specific allergen can help you develop a plan to avoid it.

For some people, however, even allergy testing and avoidance are not enough. If you think you are one of those people, referral to an allergy specialist can provide access to allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) that help to reduce your body’s response to your specific trigger over time.

Always remember, relief is just a Happy Druggist away!

References:

 

Seasonal Allergies. By Our Student Pharmacist, Cambree Fillis.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50,000,000 Americans suffer from allergies each year, especially as seasons start to change and warm weather emerges.

Allergies are a result of the immune system attempting to get rid of a substance that it does not recognize. Seasonal allergies are usually due to pollen from trees and grass, as well as different molds that grow in warm, humid weather.

Nevertheless, whether it is something consumed, inhaled, injected, or touched, your body can mount an immune response. This response can present as a cough, sneeze, itchy or watery eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, rash, difficulty breathing, asthma exacerbation, and possibly even death if anaphylaxis results and is not treated promptly. Anaphylaxis is usually a reaction to food, latex, insect bites, and medications- not pollen. Therefore, seasonal allergies are not usually life-threatening, but can result is much discomfort. Fortunately, the symptoms of seasonal allergies can be managed.

Seasonal allergy treatments include prevention or treatment with over-the-counter and/or prescription medications, as well as immunotherapy.

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To prevent allergies, avoiding whatever it is that you are allergic to sometimes works best. For instance, if you are allergic to pollen, limiting your time outdoors or keeping your air conditioner on as to avoid opening windows will limit your exposure. If you cannot avoid the allergen, be sure to bathe daily. This will remove allergens from your skin. Washing bedding every week also limits allergen build up.

If allergies cannot be prevented with non-pharmacological interventions such as avoidance and staying clean, ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription medications that can be used instead. In many cases more than one treatment may be used to alleviate symptoms. Your pharmacist can tell you which ones! Use the following information to get the conversation started.

  • Nasal Rinses: A Neti-Pot can be used to rinse the nasal cavity and get rid of pollen in the nose. It is important to use distilled water whenever using a Neti-Pot.
  • Nasal Sprays: Nasal sprays work in various ways to alleviate allergy symptoms. There are saline nasal sprays, steroid nasal sprays, antihistamine nasal sprays, and decongestant nasal sprays, all of which can be found over-the-counter. Steroid nasal sprays take several days to start working, but once they do they help with congestion and post-nasal drip by reducing inflammation in the nose. Antihistamine nasal sprays relieve the itchy, runny nose, and decongestant nasal sprays, such as Afrin, help with stuffiness. Afrin, however, should not be used for more than 3 days in a row, as it can cause rebound congestion.
  • Eye Drops: Ketotifen (Zaditor) is an over-the-counter option for itchy, watery eyes; Olopatadine (Pazeo) will also relieve allergy-related symptoms affecting the eyes but is prescription only. No matter which eye drop you use, always be sure to wash your hands before administering them!
  • Antihistamines: Antihistamines help with itching, sneezing, and runny noses. Examples include, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine, which can both cause drowsiness. Less sedating antihistamine options that you can find over-the-counter include loratadine (Claratin), fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
  • Decongestants: Decongestants reduce nasal stuffiness. They can come in various forms including a nasal spray, such as Afrin mentioned previously, or in a tablet or liquid form, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Some forms can increase blood pressure; therefore it is important to always ask your doctor or pharmacist which decongestant is best for you.
  • Creams/ointments: corticosteroid creams and ointments relieve itchiness from a rash caused by an allergen. Steroid topical products should not be used for more than 14 days, especially if applying to the face.

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When allergies cannot be prevented or treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, immunotherapy can be used. Immunotherapy includes allergy shots and sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue.

Allergy shots have been used for decades and work by exposing patients to the substance that they are allergic to in increasing amounts. This gradual exposure is thought to create immunity and lessen allergic reactions.

Immunotherapy in a newer sublingual treatment can be used as an alternative to the shots.

Resources
1. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergy Treatment. Updated March 2018. Accessed April 2019. https://www.aafa.org/allergy-treatments/.
2. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Allergies. Updated September 2017. Accessed April 2019. www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/ToolsTemplates/EntertainmentEd/Tips/Allergies.html.
3. Hennessy M. Helping Patients Breathe Easier. Published March 2019. Accessed April 2019. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/health-system-edition/2019/march2019/helping-patients-breathe-easier.
4. Tl;dr Pharmacy. Preparing for Spring: Allergic Rhinitis. Updated February 2019. Accessed April 2019. https://www.tldrpharmacy.com/content/preparing-for-spring-allergic-rhinitis.
5. Patient education: Seasonal allergies in adults. UpToDate. Updated April 2019. Accessed April 2019.

Seasonal Allergies. By Our June Student Pharmacist, Mackenzie Piché.

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Allergy season is in full-swing in Central Ohio. If you’re one of the 50 million Americans plagued by seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, you may be dealing with one or more of the following bothersome symptoms:

  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Itchy/watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Sore or Itchy Throat

Experts agree that avoiding your allergy triggers is the most important thing you can do to decrease symptoms. Here are some tips to keep your outdoor allergies under control this season:

  1. Stay indoors during periods of high pollen or mold counts (you can check your local weather stations for reports on counts: go HERE to do that).
  2. Shower and wash clothing after spending time outdoors.
  3. Avoid hanging clothing and bedding outside to dry.
  4. Keep windows closed, instead use air conditioning.
  5. If your doctor has prescribed an allergy medication for you, be sure to take or use it every day, as directed.

allergy free

Looking for Relief?

Overview of Over-the-Counter Treatment Options for Adults

Treatment selection can be made based on symptoms and individual preference, while also taking into consideration any other conditions you may have. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss which treatment is best for you.

Saline Nasal Spray

Products:

  • Simply Saline (Sterile Saline Solution)
  • Ayr (Sterile Saline Solution)

How they work: Help to remove dried, crusted mucus from the nose.

Glucocorticoid Nasal Spray

Products:

  • Flonase Allergy Relief (Fluticasone)
  • Nasacort Allergy 24 HR (Triamcinolone)
  • Rhinocort Allergy Spray (Budesonide)

How these sprays work: Decrease inflammation and congestion to alleviate sneezing and runny or stuffy nose.

  • Patient Note: May take 3 to 7 days for maximum symptom relief to occur.

When to Avoid: If you have glaucoma or cataracts.

Oral Antihistamines

Products:

  • Claritin (Loratadine)
  • Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
  • Allegra (Fexofenadine)
  • Xyzal (Levocetirizine)

How they work: Prevent histamine release, which is responsible for symptoms like itching, runny nose, and sneezing.

  • Patient Note: These products do not cause drowsiness in most patients. Of the available products, cetirizine has the highest incidence of drowsiness, affecting about 14% of adults.

When to avoid: If breastfeeding; Consult a doctor before taking if you have liver or kidney problems

Decongestant Nasal Sprays

Products:

  • Afrin (Oxymetazoline)
  • Neo-Synephrine (Phenylephrine)

How these sprays work: Constrict vessels in the nose to stimulate clearing of mucus from the nasal passages.

  • Patient Note: These products should be used for short-term allergy relief only. Using for more than 2 or 3 days can cause “rebound” congestion and return of symptoms.

Oral Decongestants

Products:

  • Sudafed PE (Phenylephrine)
  • Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)

*Also available in combination with antihistamines (i.e. Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, Allegra-D).

How these products work: Constrict vessels in the nose to stimulate clearing of mucus from the nasal passages.

  • Patient Note: Pseudoephedrine products are only available for sale from behind the pharmacy counter.

When to avoid: If you have high blood pressure, an enlarged prostate, or glaucoma.

Nasal Cromolyn

Products:

  • NasalCrom (Cromolyn)

How it works: Decreases histamine release in the nose, leading to less mucus release, itching, and sneezing.

  • Patient Note: May take 3 to 7 days to begin working and 2 to 4 weeks to see the full effect.

Drug of choice for: Older adults and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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When to see a doctor:

  • Children <12 years old
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Symptoms of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), like shortness of breath or wheezing
  • Symptoms of an ear infection (pain, hearing loss)
  • Symptoms of a sinus infection (sinus pressure or headache, tooth pain, congestion lasting 7-10 days that does not respond to treatment with OTC decongestants)
  • Side effects experienced with over-the-counter (OTC) treatment
  • Symptoms not improved with OTC treatment

Note: Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before beginning a new over-the-counter medication.

References: 

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/allergic-rhinitis-seasonal-allergies-beyond-the-basics

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/outdoor-allergens

http://ohioallergyclinic.com/seasonal-allergy-avoidance/

http://www.aafa.org/page/allergy-facts.aspx

http://pharmacistsletter.therapeuticresearch.com/

Pictures:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/discomfort-15/tame-allergies/slideshow-allergy-myths-facts

https://weather.com/forecast/allergy/l/USOH0774:1:US

https://www.pollen.com/allergy/allergy-reaction

 

Seasonal Allergies. By Our April Student Pharmacist, Mark Borns.

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Spring time means that flowers and leaves begin to bloom. While the warmth and colorful scenery is a pleasant change from the winter season, the pollen can cause irritating allergy symptoms for millions of people.

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, can make you miserable. Thankfully there are some simple strategies you can use to help prevent allergy symptoms.

What are seasonal allergies and the symptoms?

Seasonal allergies lead to inflammation of the nasal passages that causes annoying symptoms including:

  • Nose – Watery nasal discharge, blocked nasal passages, sneezing, nasal itching, postnasal drip, loss of taste, facial pressure or pain
  • Eyes – Itchy, red eyes, feeling of grittiness in the eyes, swelling and blueness of the skin below the eyes
  • Throat and ears – Sore throat, hoarse voice, congestion or popping of the ears, itching of the throat or ears
  • Sleep – Mouth breathing, frequent awakening, daytime fatigue, difficulty performing work

If these symptoms only last a short time, they could be caused by an infection or virus such as the common cold. If these symptoms last for longer periods of time, such as weeks or months, they are probably a result of seasonal allergies. The symptoms can vary during your lifetime and usually are most severe in children or adults in their thirties or forties.

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What are common seasonal allergy causes?

Seasonal allergies are caused by a nasal reaction to airborne particles, such as pollen from flowers, called allergens. While the timing and severity of allergy seasons vary across the country, the following climate factors also can influence how bad your symptoms might be:

  • Tree, grass, and ragweed pollens thrive during cool nights and warm days.
  • Molds grow quickly in heat and high humidity.
  • Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning hours.
  • Rain washes pollen away, but pollen counts can soar after rainfall.
  • On a day with no wind, airborne allergens are grounded.
  • When the day is windy and warm, pollen counts surge.

Do I need to see a doctor for seasonal allergies?

There are many options available to treat seasonal allergies over-the-counter (OTC). While your doctor would be able to make a formal allergy diagnosis, speaking to your local pharmacists can prove to be more timely and cost effective. Describing your symptoms to your pharmacist will help them recommend an OTC allergy medicine that will help alleviate your symptoms.

Young man in yellow canola field blowing his nose and suffering from pollen allergy.

How are seasonal allergies treated?

If your symptoms primarily include only nasal congestion, you may be able to use a nasal steroid spray or decongestant. If you have more of the common allergy symptoms such as watery eyes or runny nose, an oral antihistamine could be a good option for you. These types of medications are available OTC and many have affordable generic alternatives, too. Talking with your local pharmacist can help you make the best choice for which product might be right for you.

Can I treat seasonal allergies without medicine?

Other methods besides taking medication can be used to help decrease or prevent allergy symptoms. Some useful tips for allergy preventative habits around the home during allergy season include:

  • Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
  • Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling, and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
  • Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
  • Don’t hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
  • If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
  • Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
  • Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
  • Use the air conditioning in your house and car.
  • Change air filters and properly maintain forced air heating and cooling systems in your home.

References:

  1. Hay fever. Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343. Accessed April 6, 2016.
  2. Allergic rhinitis. Up to Date. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/contents/allergic-rhinitis-seasonal-allergies-beyond-the-basics?source=search_result. Accessed April 6, 2016.
  3. Seasonal Allergies. ACAAI Available at: http://acaai.org/allergies/types/seasonal. Accessed April 6, 2016.