Tips to cope with allergy season in Toronto

It’s that time of year again … You can hear the rain falling, the insects buzzing and, in the distance, the faint sound of sneezing and wheezing.

Yes, with the arrival of spring comes the beginning of the allergy season. With symptoms including runny nose, red eyes, nasal congestion, itchy throat and sneezing, allergies can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life and ability to sleep.

It's estimated that more than 500 million people worldwide are affected by seasonal allergies. There are many triggers for allergies: pollen, dust, and animals tend to be the most common offenders. Research shows that allergen avoidance leads to improvement of symptoms — here are just a few examples of different ways to avoid problems:

Pollen:

— Keep windows and doors closed when at home or in the car

— Do not dry clothing outdoors

— Shower and wash hair after outdoor activity to remove pollen and prevent contamination of bedding

Dust:

— Avoid carpeting

— Avoid stuffed toys that cannot be washed

— Keep humidity in your home low — high humidity combined with heat are ideal conditions for dust mite and mold growth

Animals:

— Remove carpets and replace with hard flooring

— Keep animal away from allergic individual’s bedroom

— Wash animals weekly

It is also important to avoid tobacco smoke, as it can aggravate symptoms. Other irritants which should be avoided include air pollution, fresh tar or paint and insect sprays.

There are many different types of prescription medications that a patient can be prescribed to treat their symptoms, the most popular options being intranasal corticosteroids (Nasonex, Flonase, Omnaris), and intranasal antihistamines (Livostin) as they combat runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itching, and eye symptoms. Although both are more effective when used regularly rather than intermittently, the intranasal antihistamines are usually favoured due to their quick onset of action and less severe side effects.

Another popular class of medications are the intranasal decongestants, such as Otrivin and Sudafed. However, use of these medications for longer than three consecutive days may lead to rebound congestion, so it is advised to break between uses.

In regards to oral medications, oral antihistamines are a well-known option which are categorized as either first or second generation depending on onset of action and their sedating effects. First generation allergy medications, such as Benadryl, have the fastest onset of action, but tend to cause drowsiness. Whereas second generation, such as Reactine, Claritin, and Blexten, have slightly slower onsets of action, but usually lack the sedating effects present in Benadryl.

Aside from prescription medications, there are some over the counter options available for patients. Saline nasal sprays and saline rinses have been shown to reduce nasal symptoms and decrease the need for other pharmacologic interventions.

It is important to note that different medications will work differently on different people. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family physician and pharmacy team to find the best treatment or over the counter option.

Full article here.