This submit is offered by our associate, MetroPlusHealth. Discover inexpensive well being plans for New Yorkers of all ages from MetroPlusHealth.

Hold the next tips in thoughts when in search of allergy aid. 

Antihistamines

Some over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicines will make you drowsy. They could include antihistamines, decongestants, or each. Do not take them when you may be driving or working with equipment. Newer antihistamines can be found over-the-counter. These embrace loratadine, cetirizine, levocetirizine, and fexofenadine. These are much less prone to make you sleepy. However they might nonetheless trigger drowsiness in some folks.  

Use just one OTC antihistamine at a time until in any other case recommended by your healthcare supplier. Take an inventory of the OTC medicines you’re utilizing to any supplier visits you might have.

Nasal sprays

Nonprescription decongestant nasal sprays or drops reminiscent of oxymetazoline could make you’re feeling higher for some time. However in the event you use them for too lengthy, they will really make a stuffy nostril (congestion) worse. That is known as a rebound impact. At all times:

• Look ahead to uncomfortable side effects, reminiscent of nosebleeds, quick heartbeat, and agitation.
• Use them for only some days at a time, typically 3 days of continued use. Then, it is protected to make use of them once more after giving your nostril a relaxation for a couple of days.

Different key factors about nasal sprays:

• Saline sprays or drops might help moisten nasal secretions and assist clear the nostril and sinuses. They are protected to make use of constantly. Saline washes, reminiscent of a neti pot, are additionally protected to make use of constantly.
• Nasal corticosteroid sprays are very efficient for treating nasal allergy symptoms. Fluticasone, budesonide, and triamcinolone at the moment are out there over-the-counter with out a prescription. They could take a couple of days till you discover that your signs are higher.
• Comply with the package deal directions. Do not take extra or extra typically than directed. Be sure you know whether or not you possibly can take the drugs together with your different medicines or with well being circumstances you might have.
• Nasal antihistamine sprays additionally work nicely. Azelastine is now out there over-the-counter. Different nasal antihistamines can be found by prescription. They could additionally trigger sleepiness. Do not drink alcohol when utilizing these medicines.

Eye drops

Eye drops could assist itchy and irritated eyes. However they might not relieve all of your signs. Take into accout, too, that utilizing sure eye drops for an extended time could make your situation worse.

Many various eye drops can be found with out a prescription. For gentle eye signs, synthetic tears or different wetting eye drops could also be sufficient to assist management signs. For extra reasonable signs, medicated eye drops could also be wanted. Ketotifen or olopatadine eye drops are each efficient OTC medicines. If these don’t assist relieve your signs, discuss together with your healthcare supplier about different remedy selections.

Learn rigorously

At all times comply with the package deal directions. Do not take extra or extra typically than directed. Taking extra medication than advisable is not going to essentially ease signs quicker. And it may be harmful. Be sure you know if you possibly can take the drugs together with your different medicines or with well being circumstances you might have. In case you take prescription medicines, carry an inventory of them with you and ask the pharmacist which OTC allergy medicines are protected so that you can use.

Storage

Hold your medicines in a cool, dry place that’s out of kids’s sight and attain. Don’t maintain medicines within the rest room cupboard the place it will possibly get scorching and humid.