Prescription Drugs, Over-The-Counter and Natural Remedies for Allergies

In continuation of my last article about the prevention of allergies, let's talk about the treatment of allergies. Let's face it you can do all you can to prevent allergens from causing allergies and asthma, but it might not be possible to prevent them all, and, therefore, still suffer from allergies.

Nasal Sprays

Nasalcrom was first introduced as a prescription drug in 1983 and then went over-the-counter in 1997. The main ingredient, Cromolyn, was originally taken from an herb, the fruit of Bishop's weed, or Ammi Visnaga, which was traditionally used to treat asthma. Cromolyn stabilizes highly sensitive cells in the lining of the nose and lungs so they can better resist pollen. It does not cause drowsiness or cognitive impairment and if used properly, can be highly effective. Since it is not a decongestant nasal spray you do not have to be afraid of dependency.

Cromolyn is also available in eye drops for itchy, red eyes caused by allergies. There is also an aerosol inhaler to treat asthma. However, these two products require a prescription, whereas Nasalcrom does not.

Antihistamines have been the number one treatment for allergies, but most of them cause drowsiness and impairment. For example, these so-called first generation drugs such as Benadryl, Dimetane, Dimetapp, and Chlor-Trimeton are linked to drowsiness and cognitive impairment. Second generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Clarinex, Allegra, and Claritin have been promoted as non-sedating and because of that, carry a steep price of $2-$3 a pill. However, when given in doses that are adequate in relieving allergy symptoms, even these can cause some drowsiness and produce mild impairment. Because of this, researchers now believe that there is no way to prevent drowsiness and impairment with any antihistamines. So if you must use these drugs for your allergies, do an experiment to see which ones cause the least drowsiness.

Suffering from allergies can cause you to feel sleepy and irritable enough without taking a drug that makes it worse. Consider trying steroid nasal sprays such as Prednisone. It has been proven that such nasal sprays can lessen the reactions of an over-active immune system and calm allergy symptoms really well. The problem with such nasal sprays is that they are very expensive and have many side effects, so these are prescribed only as a last resort. Even then, they are only prescribed for the shortest amount of time because they can cause irritability, insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, potassium depletion, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

Singulair is a widely popular prescription drug that not only helps relieve symptoms of allergies, but asthma as well. Researchers have found, however, that Singulair is only modestly effective for relieving itching, sneezing, congestion, and runny nose. It is compared to antihistamines such as Claritin.

One study showed that Singulair was no more effective than the oral decongestant, Sudafed. Generic Sudafed is far less expensive than Singulair, which costs $3 per pill. You do not need a prescription for Sudafed but your Pharmacist will have to give it to you from behind the counter and you will have to sign for it. The reason for this is because too many people were using Pseudophedrine (Sudafed) to make the illegal drug, Methamphetamine, so the state and federal government had to crack down on easy access.

As popular as Sudafed may be, there are side effects to watch out for. Many people complain of insomnia, anxiety, agitation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and tremor. The most serious side effects to watch out for are elevated blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. Men with prostate problems must avoid this decongestant because it can make urination more difficult.

Non-drug and Home Remedies

Non-drug and home remedies would be much better for those who cannot afford the prescriptions or who cannot handle the side effects. One approach is cleaning your nose with a Neti Pot. As you read this you might get grossed out by this process, but according to the Ayurvedic tradition of India, it is encouraged to clean your nose with what they call a Neti Pot. A Neti Pot is a porcelain container that looks a little like Aladdin's Lamp. It allows saltwater to be poured into one nostril and exit out the other. This process is meant to clear the nasal passages of pollen, dust, and other allergens. You can find Neti Pots at health food stores or by calling the Himalayan Institute at 1-800-822-4547 or visiting their website to get an idea of what they are. The cost of a ceramic Neti Pot is roughly between $18 and $20.

According to one reader of Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy, the cleaning of the nasal passages with saltwater and a Neti Pot worked great for her. Sinus and ear infections are a thing of the past for this satisfied user.

Even though research is a little sketchy about the effects Vitamin C has on treating allergy symptoms, it is suggested that this nutrient might help reduce allergy symptoms through a kind of antihistamine effect. It is also possible that Vitamin C modulates immune-system reactivity and has ant-inflammatory effects. Since the benefits, if any, are fairly short lived, it is recommended to take 500 mgs. Of Vitamin C three to four times a day.

Another natural product is called Urtica Dioica, or Stinging Nettle. Yes it sounds weird and a little frightening but it has surprisingly great results for allergy treatment as well as prostate treatment. This herb is very popular in Europe.

Not only is the name weird and a little scary but if you came across this plant you would think twice about using it. Touching the tiny hairs on it can cause a rash that can itch and sting for up to 12 hours. What's even more mysterious is how Stinging Nettle can work so well when those tiny hairs contain irritating chemicals including Histamine and formic acids. When the leaves and other parts of the plant are extracted and swallowed they can offer some great benefits for treating allergies. One study showed that 58% of participants had almost as good relief of their allergy symptoms, if not more so than their regular allergy medicine. Yeah it could work but you won't catch me swallowing the leaves of it, especially since it is supposed to cause a rash. Very weird indeed.

Another natural herb that can help allergies is called Petasites Hybridus, or Butterbur. This medicinal herb has also been used to treat migraines and asthma as well. Swiss researchers found that in one study comparing Butterbur with Zyrtec, both were equally effective in treating allergies but Butterbur was less sedating than Zyrtec. It is recommended to only take Butterbur six weeks during hay fever season because it can cause liver damage. Users should also monitor their liver enzyme activity with medical supervision.

Two more natural products are Quercetin and Bromelain. Quercetin is an anti-oxidant flavanoid found in many fruits, veggies, and herbs. The anti-inflammatory effect may help stabilize mast cells, such as cells in your eyes, nose, lungs, and other places in your body that are sensitive to allergens.

Bromelain is an enzyme derived from Pineapples. When combining Bromelain and Quercetin together, they seem to stabilize the cells and prevent the release of chemicals in the cells that cause sneezing, inflammatory and congestion.

By using common sense in choosing which approach is best in treating allergies, whether prescriptions, over-the-counter, or home remedies, I'm sure you will find what works best for you.