Which Medications Best Treat Fall Allergies?

More than 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, making seasonal allergies the fifth most common chronic disease in the US. In children, allergies are the third most common chronic health condition.

Just because most flowers are gone and leaves are turning doesn’t mean allergy relief is at hand. Ragweed pollen is often a problem through mid-October, and mold spores are another leading cause of fall allergies. Also adding to fall allergies is chalk dust, affecting students and teachers once they’re back in the classroom.

Dust mites can also cause fall allergies, even though they’re usually at their worst during hot, humid summer months. The first time you turn on your furnace once the weather turns cold, dust mites are stirred up again, so don’t be surprised if your allergies flare when you have to heat the house again.

LiveScience recently listed the 10 worst cities for fall allergies for the 2013 season, and they are: Wichita, Kansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Knoxville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; McAllen, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Dayton, Ohio; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Fortunately there are a number of ways to relieve fall allergies. Here are some of the most effective medications for coping.

Steroid Nasal Sprays

Nasal steroid sprays provide relief from fall allergies over a longer period than traditional antihistamines and decongestants. It may take several days for steroid nasal sprays to take full effect, but they can be safely used for the entire allergy season, or even longer in people with year-round allergies. Three leading steroid nasal sprays are Flonase (fluticasone), Nasonex (mometasone), and Nasacort (triamcinolone). Clinical studies show no major differences in the effectiveness of these sprays, though there may be subtle differences, so you may find that one of these steroid nasal sprays works better for you, or produces fewer side effects.

Clarinex

Clarinex (desloratadine) is a prescription antihistamine. Typically, an allergy sufferer takes one 5 mg Clarinex tablet per day. It is used for common seasonal or year-round allergy symptoms caused by mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, and pollen, and is safe for use by those with mild to moderate asthma, though it is not designed to address asthma itself. Clarinex is also sometimes used to treat allergic rashes or hives.

Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine, most commonly known as Allegra in the US, is an over-the-counter antihistamine. It is used in treatment of seasonal allergies in adults and children, and can also be used to treat hives and itching in some cases. The standard dose for adults and children older than 12 is 60 mg taken twice daily, though it is also available in a 24-hour slow release version.

Diphenhydramine

Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl. It has long been used in treatment of allergies of all kinds, but its biggest drawback is that it causes drowsiness. The side effect of drowsiness with diphenhydramine can be problematic for students, those who work with machinery, or those who have to drive. It also must be taken several times a day, so it’s less convenient than once-daily antihistamines.

Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray

Oxymetazoline is a decongestant nasal spray. It works in a completely different manner than the steroid nasal sprays discussed above. Oxymetazoline shrinks blood vessels in the nose, reducing congestion, and offering temporary relief. While it works fast, oxymetazoline can cause a condition called “rebound congestion” after only a few days’ use, making the user increasingly dependent on the spray for relief. It should never be used more than twice in 24 hours, and should not be used for more than three to five days.

Fall allergy season is here, but you have plenty of options for coping with them. eDrugstore.com sells a variety of medications that have have safely provided allergy relief for years. We often ship orders the day they are placed, and offer competitive prices, along with unmatched convenience, with quick shipping.

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