About Allergies: How to Choose an Over the Counter Allergy Medicine

If you can't see this email, click here

Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Spring allergy season is in full swing, and my waiting room is full of people with itchy eyes and runny noses. Many people flock to their primary doctor or allergist this time of year in an attempt to find relief from their spring hay fever symptoms. Some people, however, don't have the time or resources to see their doctor, and just suffer through their symptoms. Fortunately, there are many effective allergy medicines available without a prescription, but the choices can be daunting. Choosing the best OTC allergy medicine depends on a person's symptoms. For example, if sneezing and an itchy nose are the main symptom, an antihistamine is a good choice. If congestion is the problem, an oral decongestant (with or without an antihistamine) or a nasal spray such as NasalCrom may help. If itchy eyes are the main symptom, the right OTC allergy eye drop should help. Given the numerous OTC allergy medicines available, relief from hay fever should be within reach for most everyone. Symptom-Based Approach to Allergy Treatment For the person with nasal allergy symptoms, the choices of available medicines can be daunting. From pills to nasal sprays, it can be quite difficult to decide which medication is best for your symptoms. While there is no one-size-fits-all allergy medicine, there may be better choices based on the kind of symptoms you're experiencing. See More About:  allergy symptoms  allergy diagnosis  allergy treatment Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicines There are numerous over-the-counter (OTC) medications available for the treatment of allergy symptoms. Some of these, like oral decongestants such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and sedating antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), have been available for many years. Others, such as Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec-D (cetirizine/pseudoephedrine), have only recently become available OTC without a prescription. See More About:  allergies  allergist  allergy testing Cheap Relief for Itchy Eyes Itchy eyes are often a symptom of eye allergy, which occur in about 50% of people with hay fever. When the symptoms are severe, prolonged rubbing of the eyes can lead to additional problems, such as keratoconus (thinning of the cornea), loss of eyelashes and eyebrows, and even retinal detachment. Therefore, the treatment of itchy eyes is very important. There are many ways in which this symptom can be treated. See More About:  eye allergies  allergy skin testing  allergy treatments Allergies Ads Allergies Allergy Skin and Allergy Food Allergy Hives Treatment of Allergy Featured Articles Frequently Asked Questions Nose and Eye Allergies Skin Allergies Asthma and Lung Allergies Common Allergy Issues in Children Food Allergies   More from About.com Backyard Chickens 101 Dabble in the self-sufficient, eco-friendly life with these essential chicken-raising tips. More> 24 Amazing Container Gardens These gorgeous and creative gardens prove it doesn't take a lot of space to create something special. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies Advertisement