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Ask a pharmacist: Best allergy strategies


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theweathernetwork.com

Tuesday, June 20, 2017, 6:43 AM - If puffy, pollen face has got you down, the ugly truth is it’s not going to end anytime soon.

First it was the trees and now it’s the grass! Soon potent mould will be your worst enemy, for sure further exacerbating those dark circles under your eyes, painful flaky skin under your runny nose and super-chapped lips from breathing through your mouth.

Looking like you lost a round in the boxing ring is par for the course this time of year. Pesky allergens are everywhere and allergy sufferers just can’t seem to catch a break. Soon grass pollen will die down, and “in mid-July and August, mould peaks due to the hot, humid weather and it can grow outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, the mould grows on rotting vegetation, in soil, in compost and on grasses and grains,” says Victor Wong, pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart. Come fall, from August to October, ragweed is the chief culprit. 

Wong is often asked about the best medications to treat annoying symptoms including the sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. 

“The most common allergy medications are oral tablets, known as antihistamines, and they stop the histamine reaction, which is responsible for allergy symptoms,” says Wong. “Some newer antihistamines, like Life Brand Allertin Allergy or Reactine, are a convenient option because they are only taken once daily and cause minimal drowsiness.” 

Other antihistamines like Benadryl may have to be taken more frequently and cause drowsiness so they are better if taken at night or if a person has trouble sleeping.

Some brands also contain a decongestant so if congestion is an issue Wong advises to check with your pharmacist first to see if they are right for you because decongestants may exacerbate certain medical conditions like high blood pressure.

Add to the allergy-fighting arsenal nasal sprays such as the newer corticosteroids, older decongestants, and saline sprays. 

“Corticosteroid nose sprays are now found over the counter without a prescription and are great at relieving congested and associated symptoms,” says Wong. Nasal decongestant sprays are also very effective but should only be used infrequently and for short periods of time because overuse can actually cause rebound congestion upon discontinuation.

There’s the new Flonase Allergy Relief available without prescription, and this intranasal corticosteroid offers 24-hour relief from seasonal and year-round, nose- and eye-related allergy symptoms caused by pollen, mold, dust and pets.

Holistic pharmacist Sherry Torkos recommends treating nasal congestion using a neti pot or saline rinse to flush pollen out of sinuses and clear mucus and congestion. 

“Drugs like Sudafed and Sinutab work well to clear congestion but they can cause racing heart, increased blood pressure, insomnia and they interact with many medications and are not recommended for those with heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, prostate disease and diabetes.”

To minimize troubling allergy symptoms, Torkos recommends A.Vogel Allergy Relief, which is available in nasal spray, tablets and tincture and sold in pharmacies and health food stores. It is non-drowsy and non-addictive, and is one of the few options also safe for young children and pregnant women.

“Drugs like Benadryl work well but cause significant drowsiness and dry eyes/nose/mouth,” says Torkos, of sherrytorkos.com. “Non-drowsy antihistamines such as Aerius or Claritin help reduce sneezing, itchy nose and watery eyes. They are not as strong as Benadryl but work for most people, although tolerance often occurs and people have to take more or switch antihistamines.”

For a sore/scratchy throat, be sure to drink honey and drink lots of water, adds Torkos, author of The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.

When it comes to calming itchy eyes, Wong says that eye drops are a great option. “Eye drops for dry eyes help to wash away the pollen and also help to soothe eyes. Antihistamine eye drops can be used when symptoms appear to reduce itchiness, redness, and discomfort. Mast cell stabilizers should be used before your symptoms begin - usually two to three days ahead of time.”

Medications are more effective when taken before allergy symptoms start. “If you know you will be heading outdoors or going for a picnic or hike, try taking your medication an hour before you head outdoors for best effect,” adds Wong.

If you find your allergy medication isn’t working, don’t despair. It may require several tries to find the medication that is right for you or it could also be that it’s not the right dose, it may not be treating the right symptoms, or it’s not being taken at the right time. “Pharmacists are a great resource and, based on symptoms and severity, pharmacists can help find the right over-the-counter medication,” says Wong, adding that in some provinces, pharmacists can even prescribe medications for seasonal allergies if needed.

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