Tips for dealing with seasonal allergies as we head into fall

By Dr. Arfa Faiz
UK HealthCare

For many Kentuckians, the early signs of fall mean the onset of seasonal allergies, and finding the best treatment can feel overwhelming. From Claritin to Flonase, and all the generic options in between, how do you figure out what’s the best solution for your fall allergies?

What causes seasonal allergies?

Pollen is the main culprit year-round for allergies. Trees in the spring, grass in summer and ragweed in the fall are all major producers of pollen locally. This can make seasonal symptoms seem year-round.

Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for when we encounter pollen, and it triggers an immune response in people. This includes the release of the chemical histamine in the nose, eyes and throat, along with other substances. Histamine is often responsible for the itchiness and sneezing, while the other substances cause the stuffy nose or sinuses commonly associated with seasonal allergies.

Antihistamines, some of the most common allergy medications available, counter the effects of histamine. They’re effective in reducing sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. The nasal sprays that contain steroids help with the stuffiness.

What antihistamine is right for me?

Many of the well-known antihistamines are non-drowsy and similarly effective, making them ideal for daily use.

There are only slight differences between them all, and generally, people can find the antihistamine that works best for them while causing the least side effects. Here is a list of some antihistamines:

• Claritin (loratadine): Takes one to three hours to kick in.
• Zyrtec (cetirizine): Fast-acting, often less than an hour to take effect, but can cause some drowsiness.
• Allegra (fexofenadine): Causes the least drowsiness. It usually takes less than two hours to kick in and may be slightly better for eye-related symptoms.
• Astepro (azelastine): A safe nasal antihistamine that may taste bad and rarely cause drowsiness.
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine): This is also an antihistamine, but will very likely make you drowsy. So, it’s not best for everyday use, especially if you plan on operating machinery — like driving your car.

While you can take antihistamines when you start to feel symptoms, you can also safely take them daily to keep symptoms at bay. If you have liver or kidney problems, you may want to consider a lower dose. Asking your doctor is also never a bad idea, especially if you have a chronic condition.

What nasal sprays can I use?

Nasal steroid sprays — like Flonase or Nasacort — can be highly effective for long-lasting nasal allergies. They can take close to two weeks to make a difference. They work best if taken every day and sprayed correctly in the nose.

Lastly, keeping your windows closed and air conditioning on can help to avoid pollen.

Consider consulting with your doctor if your allergy symptoms are severe or persistent. Long-term allergy symptoms can be treated with allergy shots.

Arfa Faiz is a physician with UK HealthCare Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.