Each year, the temperate spring and fall months offer the discomfort of seasonal allergies. Pollen from various trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses enters airways and causes irritation resulting in coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and nasal congestion. However, control of seasonal allergies is not hopeless. Many drug and non-drug treatments are available to battle this seasonal pest.
Non-Drug Interventions
One of the best and most proven ways to alleviate nasal symptoms is the practice of nasal irrigation. This is typically done with a salt-water solution. The solution is placed into one nostril via specialized vessel or bulb syringe, allowed to run through the sinuses, and out the opposite nostril or mouth. This process flushes irritants and mucus from the sinus cavities, helping reduce congestion and inflammation of the sinus tissues.
Another practice gaining popularity is the ingestion of honey made from bees central to your locale. Honey retains bits of pollen from the species frequented by honeybees and can help improve your tolerance of local pollen. Exposure to allergens in small doses may actually boost your immune system. Proven results are anecdotal, but even if it doesn't work for you, you will still benefit from the nutritional properties of honey. Please note: Do NOT give honey to infants less than one-year of age.
Drug Products for Allergies
Most drugs for allergies operate by inhibiting a step in the body's allergic response system, or by reducing sinus and airway inflammation. Histamine is a major compound involved in this response, and is responsible for producing many of the symptoms associated with allergies. Traditionally, antihistamines are the drugs of choice for seasonal allergies. However, their use is often limited by the tendency to cause drowsiness, though some "less-drowsy" formulas are now available. Common antihistamines include diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, and triprolidine. Less-sedating varieties are cetirizine and loratidine.
Products with other mechanisms are gaining popularity as well. These products inhibit leukotriene, another component of allergic response, or act to stabilize the specific cells that house histamine, called mast-cells. Montelukast and zafirlukast are leukotriene inhibitors, and are taken daily as prophylaxis against allergy symptoms. Cromolyn is a mast-cell stabilizer and is available as a nasal spray or nebulizer treatment.
Other products act to reduce the inflammation and mucus that cause congestion. These products are corticosteroids, and are typically administered topically by nasal spray or mist.
Seasonal allergies are unpleasant, but typically controllable with one or more of these interventions. Discuss options with your physician to determine what regimen is best for you.
The information presented here is not intended to substitute for the care of a physician. The author assumes no responsibility for events resulting from the use or misuse of this information.
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