How is allergic rhinitis (hay fever) treated?

Updated on

How is allergic rhinitis (hay fever) treated?

Several allergy medications can improve symptoms and help you live with hay fever. These treatments come in many forms, including liquids, pills, eye drops, nasal sprays and injections. Talk to your provider before taking any medication, especially if you’re pregnant or have other health concerns. Your provider may suggest:

Antihistamines: Antihistamine medications are available with a prescription or over the counter. They work by blocking the histamine that your body releases during an allergic response. Antihistamines come as pills, liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays and inhalers. They include:

  • Loratadine (Claritin®).
  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec®).
  • Fexofenadine (Allegra®).
  • Levocetirizine (Xyzal®).

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if you’re going to drive.

Decongestants: These medications relieve congestion in the nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth (in pill or liquid form) or use a nasal spray. They include:

  • Afrin® nasal spray.
  • Phenylephrine nasal spray (Neo-Synephrine®).

  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®).

    Decongestants can increase blood pressure and cause headaches, trouble sleeping and irritability. Nasal decongestants can be addictive if used longer than five days. Be sure to talk to your provider before taking them.

Corticosteroid nasal sprays: These sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever. The most common nasal sprays are Flonase®, Nasacort® and Rhinocort®. Side effects include headaches, nasal irritation, nosebleeds and cough.

Leukotriene inhibitors: During an allergic reaction, the body releases leukotriene, histamines and other chemicals that cause inflammation and hay fever symptoms. Available only with a prescription, these pills block leukotriene. The most common leukotriene inhibitor is montelukast (Singulair®). Some people experience changes in mood, vivid dreams, involuntary muscle movements and skin rash when taking this medication.

Immunotherapy: This treatment works by helping your body learn to tolerate allergens. Your provider gives you a series of injections (allergy shots) with a small amount of the allergen. Every time you get a shot, your provider increases the amount of the allergen. Over time, your immune system develops immunity to the allergen and stops launching a reaction to it.

Your provider might recommend immunotherapy in the form of a pill that you place under your tongue.

Related posts