Real Relief for Your Allergies
If your cold has been lasting for weeks (and you've tried these remedies that really work), it may not be a cold after all. It's that time of year again when it seems everyone is suffering from some level of allergies. If you've been fighting that annoying sneezing and drippy nose, and even had trouble sleeping, don't despair. If you reduce your exposure to offending allergens and find the right allergy medication. you should be able to get your symptoms in check. How to do that? We're glad you asked!
Find the Right Fix
Allergy products can take up whole aisles in the drugstore. This Q&A will help you find ones that target your symptoms.
Are You Sneezing? Do You Have a Runny Nose?
Don't dawdle: Take an over-the-counter nonsedating oral antihistamine, such as Claritin, Alavert, or Zyrtec. These work best if they're in your bloodstream before symptoms are up and running. Find out what makes you sneeze.
Is Your Nose Stuffy, Too?
If your clogging is only occasional, try a nasal decongestant spray with phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) or oxymetazoline (Afrin). But don't use it for more than three days in a row - if you do, you could end up with rebound congestion. Or try a combo oral antihistamine/decongestant (Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, or Actifed). Note: These have a stimulant effect, which can make you jumpy or give you insomnia, and they can raise your blood pressure. Sick of being sick? Do this to boost your immunity.
Is Your Nose Blocked 24/7?
Get an Rx nasal spray, such as Astepro or Patanase. These can take 30 minutes or so to open nasal passages, but are safe to use long-term.
Are Your Eyes Itchy and Red?
Bypass the stuff you're probably most familiar with: OTC eyedrops with decongestants, such as Visine L.R. or Opcon-A. These take the redness away (as advertised) by shrinking the blood vessels in the eye, but if they don't help you enough with itching, go for allergy-control drops (Zaditor, Alaway). These prevent the release of chemicals that cause inflammation in the first place. If you're still rubbing and blinking, see if a more powerful prescription (Pataday, Patanol) works better. Check out these sites for other relief tips.
Still Can't Control Your Symptoms?
Ask your doctor about combining remedies. A trio that often does the trick: antihistamine eyedrops, a non-sedating oral antihistamine, and a prescription nasal steroid spray (Flonase or Nasacort AQ). Another medicine that's safe to add on is Singulair, a prescription drug originally used for asthma that can help control nasal allergy symptoms, too. If this pharmacopoeia doesn't provide enough relief, give serious consideration to allergy shots, the only treatment that can lead to a complete cure. True, the regimen can take up to five years, but it comes with an important perk: It reduces the risk that your allergies will morph into adult-onset asthma.
Clean Out Allergens
Your best line of defense: smart housecleaning. Here are GHRI home-care director Carolyn Forté's cleaning treatments to reduce triggers.
Use special bedding covers and launder sheets and blankets weekly in 130°F water to kill dust mites. Washer water not hot enough? Try tumbling items first in a hot dryer for 30 to 60 minutes (longer for thick comforters), then washing on hot. Try this allergen-proof bedding.
Clean drapes, throw pillows, and stuffed animals - prime allergen collectors - every few months. Spritz nonwashable, water-safe fabrics with Clorox Anywhere Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray ($5 for 22 ounces) to help neutralize dust mites.
Trapdustand prevent it from becoming airborne with electrostatic dusters, like those made by Swiffer.
Zap mold by scouring bathtubs, tiles, and trash cans with a mildew-removing cleanser. Also try using a dehumidifier.
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
