discussion Allergy tips?

[ArtForFreedom]

Hi all... I feel like I have been hit with a ton of bricks this past weekend. Foggy, chills/hot, sore neck, sore throat and a completely congested head. 

 

 

Anyone have any ideas to help subdue the symptoms? I am taking DayQuil, drinking a lot of fluids and taking claritain but still feel miserable.

 

 

TIA

[May]

just stop

[Beyonceist]

Levocetirizine.

[Ampersand13]

Yes! Longtime allergy sufferer here. The best thing you can do is to get an allergy nasal spray (Flonase works the best in my opinion) and take that every morning. Then in the evening take a Zyrtec or Claritin. It is perfectly safe to use the allergy pills and nasal sprays together (so long as you're taking them as directed). Unfortunately, they can take some time to reach full efficacy but they should at least help some of your symptoms pretty readily! 

[Ampersand13]

Also saline nasal rinses. They are pretty uncomfortable, but if you're looking for immediate but temporary relief for congestion, that's a good option. If it's pollen that you're allergic to it tends to stick to just about everything (including your nose) so keeping it as clean as possible is a good idea (though not always doable).

 

Side note, if you have access to a primary care physician they might be able to prescribe some stronger allergy medication/ensure that it's allergies and not something else going on. 

[DamianSolo]

Xyzal is what helped me, almost immediately after taking it for the first time. A word of warning, though, for as small as that tablet is—use a utensil to break a small piece off of it and take it. The piece that you break off shouldn't be much bigger than a crumb. I promise you it will still help and provide you with relief. If you take the whole tablet, you will feel like a zombie for, at least, two days. It's powerful stuff.

 

For a more natural remedy afterwards, take echinacea supplements and eat local honey, which will increase your tolerance to local allergens to where it won't be as bad.

[Nashe]

I got the strongest possible allergy pills last year, take them every morning and I feel better than ever.

When the pollen count is extremely high, I avoid staying out for too long. 

[stochastic]

Second what @Ampersand13 said. I def want to underscore that things in this regimen will take time and consistency. Also some other pro-tips if you have environmental allergens, wash your hair because pollen gets trapped everywhere if you've been outside. On the same note, wash your bedsheets regularly, vacuum your carpet, and wash your curtains. You can also invest in an air purifier for your room. 

 

For short-term and immediate relief, you can try any allergy medication with a decongestant, which are sold behind the counter so you'll have to provide ID. Usually, it's the drug name with D attached, e.g., Claritin D or Allegra D. I would be cautious taking long-term because of the decongestant, so consult with your PCP if you can tolerate it as it can exacerbate medical conditions. 

 

I also tried an allergy shot regimen for maybe 2 years, and I personally did not see any effects but I think mileage varies from person to person, so it may be an option. However, I'm not sure if it's covered by insurance. The shots are another modality, and they first have a diagnostic visit where they identify your allergen triggers and based on those, they have you come in weekly and inject you with progressively higher doses of the allergen, so you theoretically will build a tolerance. 

[Ampersand13]

20 minutes ago, stochastic said:

Second what @Ampersand13 said. I def want to underscore that things in this regimen will take time and consistency. Also some other pro-tips if you have environmental allergens, wash your hair because pollen gets trapped everywhere if you've been outside. On the same note, wash your bedsheets regularly, vacuum your carpet, and wash your curtains. You can also invest in an air purifier for your room. 

 

For short-term and immediate relief, you can try any allergy medication with a decongestant, which are sold behind the counter so you'll have to provide ID. Usually, it's the drug name with D attached, e.g., Claritin D or Allegra D. I would be cautious taking long-term because of the decongestant, so consult with your PCP if you can tolerate it as it can exacerbate medical conditions. 

 

I also tried an allergy shot regimen for maybe 2 years, and I personally did not see any effects but I think mileage varies from person to person, so it may be an option. However, I'm not sure if it's covered by insurance. The shots are another modality, and they first have a diagnostic visit where they identify your allergen triggers and based on those, they have you come in weekly and inject you with progressively higher doses of the allergen, so you theoretically will build a tolerance. 

WaiT!

 

I've been doing immunotherapy for a little over a year (specifically for my tree pollen allergy) and I haven't really noticed any difference. I'm starting to think it might just be wasted on me  Like you said, I'm sure it works for some people but it hasn't made this season any different 

[JonginBey]

1 hour ago, stochastic said:

Second what @Ampersand13 said. I def want to underscore that things in this regimen will take time and consistency. Also some other pro-tips if you have environmental allergens, wash your hair because pollen gets trapped everywhere if you've been outside. On the same note, wash your bedsheets regularly, vacuum your carpet, and wash your curtains. You can also invest in an air purifier for your room.

Pretty much this. 
 

I also take Claritin, but I usually start taking it weeks before Spring starts to help build up immunity in advance and continue to take it throughout Spring as well. I invested in an air purifier about a year ago, and it has definitely made a difference as well. Also, running your AC from time to time can help as well.

[ArtForFreedom]

Thank you everyone.. ugh theyre the worst 

[GentleDance]

Take claritain right before you sleep, it can affect attention/make you feel drowsy, nasal steroids will usually be most effective long term treatment along with antihistamines for relief but they work better when taken before the reaction 

[GreatCoolBright]

Does anyone have brain fog from allergies?