STOP SNEEZING YOUR HEAD OFF

Are you tired of itchy watery eyes, of having a nose that won't let air in and to have everyone "Bless you"? Taking a antihistamine could help you get rid of these annoying symptoms and make you feel better. Antihistamines are drugs used to control allergy symptoms. There are several types of antihistamines that treat different types of allergies. To choose the one that will be the right one for you, read on and...

CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST!

Antihistamines have been around for many years, but they've changed considerably since they

were first introduced 30 years ago. All antihistamines are effective, but their side-effects vary. Today, several types are available to meet most people's needs.

First-generation antihistamines have been on the market for many years. They're generally taken several times per day for maximum efficacy. They're very effective, but tend to cause drowsiness. They can also cause constipation, dryness of the mouth and problems for people from urinary retention or men with prostate disorders.

Because of these undesirable effects, new drugs have been put on the market over the past dozen years. Their advantage is that they can be taken once or twice per day (depending on the drug), and they don't create the unpleasant effects of their "predecessors". However, they can cause major interactions with certain prescription drugs.

You should also know that if an antihistamine is ineffective or loses its efficacy, you can always change your medication to get the desired relief. To ensure that you receive the best treatment for your situation, don't hesitate to consult your pharmacist.

Antihistamines are often found in multi-symptom allergy/cold/flu products but beware of products that claim to cure everything. You probably could go without some of the ingredients that are useless for your condition and may cause side-effects. Take a close look at the label and talk to your pharmacist who can guide you through "the antihistamine jungle". More recent "no drowsiness" antihistamine allergy medications are sometimes combined with decongestants.

They can be useful during the first few days of an allergy. In fact, nasal congestion can be severe during the first few days or while waiting for the antihistamine to take full effect. Be careful, however, because these decongestants have a caffeine like effect, and may prevent you from sleeping if they're taken in the evening! It's not recommended to use these formulas over long term periods. Allergy sufferers should switch to an "antihistamine only" product after the first box.

There are two main types of allergies, each of which can be relieved in many ways.

Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen in the air during warmer weather. People are affected at different times of the year, depending on the type of pollen to which they're allergic. For example, someone who's allergic to ragweed will start showing symptoms at the end of July, whereas someone who's allergic to tree pollen will have a reaction in early spring. It's therefore important to know the source of your allergy in order to avoid exposure to allergens. This can be determined based on the time of year when the allergy occurs and on skin tests conducted by a doctor.

People suffering from this type of allergy should avoid going outside in hot and dry weather or on windy days, because these are ideal conditions for the spread of pollen.

These include allergies to pet hair, dust, mildew, firewood, etc. Dust allergies are caused by a tiny spider called a "mite", found in household dust, particularly in bed linen, mattresses, draperies and carpets. It's therefore important to vacuum the house regularly and to remove curtains and carpets from an allergy sufferer's bedroom. For pet hair allergies, it's best to avoid contact with the animal. If this is impossible, you should touch the animal as little as possible and not allow it in the bedroom. As for mildew allergies, one effective solution is to avoid leaving dead leaves on the lawn around the house. Also, if you heat your home with wood, avoid keeping the wood indoors, since logs often contain mildew.

Whether your allergy is seasonal or indoor, the important thing is to limit your contact with the allergy-causing substance and to use effective medication to control reactions.

Courtesy - Liverpool Pharmacy 715 Krosno Blvd