{"id":271,"date":"2021-11-08T18:20:50","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T23:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.fm1.dev\/lasting-allergy-relief-is-in-season\/allergy-medications\/"},"modified":"2022-04-14T13:07:57","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T17:07:57","slug":"allergy-medications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/allergist\/allergy-medications\/","title":{"rendered":"Allergy Medications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [{\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Do Antihistamines Help Allergies?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Antihistamines are often the go-to drug for treating allergy symptoms. They work by reducing or blocking histamines, chemicals produced by the immune system that are responsible for many common allergy symptoms including runny nose, stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. They are available in tablets, capsules, liquids, nasal sprays and eye drops. Antihistamines can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and nausea, though newer generation antihistamines have fewer side effects.\"\n}\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Do Decongestants Help Allergies?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"When your allergy symptoms include a stuffed-up nose, you\u2019re better off using a decongestant for relief. Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels and tissues that line the nose. They can be found in pills, liquids, nasal sprays and nose drops and are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Decongestants may increase anxiety or cause sleeping difficulty. If you have a medical condition such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disorder, diabetes or enlarged prostate, consult with a doctor before using.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Do Nasal Corticosteroids Help Allergies?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Nasal corticosteroids are nasal sprays that help to reduce inflammation of the nasal lining associated with allergies. They can be extremely effective at relieving symptoms, but may cause nosebleeds, nasal dryness and sore throat. Nasal corticosteroids are generally safe to use long-term. They are usually available by prescription only.\"\n}\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Do Decongestant Nasal Sprays Help Allergies?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Decongestant nasal sprays are generally available over-the-counter. They provide short-term relief from nasal allergy symptoms but wear off quickly. Overuse can lead to a \u201crebound effect\u201d in which symptoms worsen. Patients are advised not to use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than three days.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Do Allergy Eye Drops Help Allergies?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Allergy eye drops help relieve the symptoms of eye allergies. If you are experiencing itchy or watery eyes, a burning sensation in the eyes, redness and swelling, you can benefit from either over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. They are available in several different types including antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, decongestants and mast cell stabilizers.\"\n  }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Do Mast Cell Inhibitors Help Allergies? \",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Mast cell inhibitors are medications that prevent allergy symptoms such as runny nose or itchy, watery eyes from occurring. They work by inhibiting the release of histamines the immune system produces in response to allergens such as pollen. They are available in the form of nasal sprays and eye drops, and must be taken a week or two before the start of allergy season, and continued on a daily basis for the duration of the season.\"\n}\n }\n ]\n  }\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Medications like antihistamines, decongestants, mucus thinners, antibiotics&nbsp;or steroids may be used to treat your symptoms. Medications can be very effective; however, medications treat only the allergy symptoms and do&nbsp;not&nbsp;treat the cause of the symptoms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your symptoms do not improve with the use of medications, you should consult with an allergist over alternative treatments such as immunotherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antihistamines <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Antihistamines are often the go-to drug for treating allergy symptoms. They work by blocking histamine, a chemical produced by the immune system that is responsible for many common allergy symptoms, including runny nose, stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Antihistamines are available in tablets, capsules, liquids, nasal sprays and eye drops. Certain formulas may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and nausea. Popular antihistamines include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iStock-511312816-1280x853.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iStock-511312816-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iStock-511312816-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iStock-511312816-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iStock-511312816-256x171.jpg 256w, https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/iStock-511312816.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"list-col-2\"><li>Allegra<\/li><li>Benadryl<\/li><li>Claritin<\/li><li>Chlor-Trimeton<\/li><li>Tavist<\/li><li>Zyrtec<\/li><li>Clarinex<\/li><li>Xyzal<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Decongestants <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When your allergy symptoms include a stuffed-up nose, you\u2019re better off using a decongestant for relief. Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels and tissues that line the nose. They can be found in pills, liquids, nasal sprays and nose drops and are available over-the-counter or by prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/familydoctor.org\/decongestants-otc-relief-for-congestion\/?adfree=true\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/familydoctor.org\/decongestants-otc-relief-for-congestion\/?adfree=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Decongestants<\/a> may increase anxiety or cause sleeping difficulty. If you have a medical condition such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disorder, diabetes or enlarged prostate, consult with a doctor before using. Common decongestants include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"list-col-2\"><li>Afrin<\/li><li>Dristan<\/li><li>Sudafed<\/li><li>Suphedrin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many allergy medications combine antihistamines with decongestants. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Allegra-D<\/li><li>Claritin-D<\/li><li>Tavist-D<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nasal Corticosteroids <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nasal corticosteroids are nasal sprays that help to reduce inflammation of the nasal lining associated with allergies. They can be extremely effective at relieving symptoms, but may cause nosebleeds, nasal dryness and sore throat. Nasal corticosteroids are generally safe to use long-term. They are usually available by prescription only. Common brands include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"list-col-2\"><li>Flonase<\/li><li>Nasonex<\/li><li>Nasacort<\/li><li>Rhinocort<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Decongestant Nasal Sprays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Decongestant nasal sprays are generally available over-the-counter. They provide short-term relief from nasal allergy symptoms but wear off quickly. Overuse can lead to a \u201crebound effect\u201d in which symptoms worsen. Patients are advised not to use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than three days. Popular brands include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Afrin<\/li><li>Dristan<\/li><li>Vicks Sinex<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Allergy Eye Drops <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Allergy eye drops help relieve the symptoms of eye allergies. If you are experiencing itchy or watery eyes, a burning sensation in the eyes, redness and swelling, you can benefit from either over-the-counter or prescription eye drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are available in several different types, including antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, decongestants and mast cell stabilizers. Some of the more common brands include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"list-col-2\"><li>Clear Eyes<\/li><li>Visine<\/li><li>Refresh<\/li><li>Claritin Eye<\/li><li>Alamast<\/li><li>Opcon-A<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mast Cell Inhibitors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mast cell inhibitors are medications that prevent allergy symptoms such as a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes from occurring. They work by preventing the immune system from releasing histamines in response to allergens such as pollen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mast cell inhibitors are available in the form of nasal sprays and eye drops. They should be taken a week or two before the start of allergy season and daily for its duration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div class=\"content-cta\">\r\n<p>Call Western Michigan ENT at <a href=\"tel:+12313989536\" class=\"phone \"><span class=\"phone-number\">(231) 398-9536<\/span><\/a> for more information or to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Medications like antihistamines, decongestants, mucus thinners, antibiotics&nbsp;or steroids may be used to treat your symptoms. Medications can be very effective; however, medications treat only the allergy symptoms and do&nbsp;not&nbsp;treat the cause of the symptoms.&nbsp; If your symptoms do not improve with the use of medications, you should consult with an allergist over alternative treatments such&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":267,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"service_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=271"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":946,"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271\/revisions\/946"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westernmichiganent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}