You can treat your allergic rhinitis in several ways. These include medications, as well as home remedies and possibly alternative medicines. Talk to your doctor before trying any new treatment measure for allergic rhinitis.
Antihistamines
You can take antihistamines to treat allergies. They work by stopping your body from making histamine. Some popular over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines include:
- fexofenadine (Allegra)
- diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- desloratadine (Clarinex)
- loratadine (Claritin)
- levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Shop for OTC antihistamines.
Talk to your doctor before starting a new medication. Make sure that a new allergy medication won’t interfere with other medications or medical conditions.
Decongestants
You can use decongestants over a short period, usually no longer than three days, to relieve a stuffy nose and sinus pressure. Using them for a longer time can cause a rebound effect, meaning once you stop your symptoms will actually get worse. Popular OTC decongestants include:
- oxymetazoline (Afrin nasal spray)
- pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
- cetirizine with pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
If you have an abnormal heart rhythm, heart disease, history of stroke, anxiety, a sleep disorder, high blood pressure, or bladder issues, speak with your doctor before using a decongestant.
Eye drops and nasal sprays
Eye drops and nasal sprays can help relieve itchiness and other allergy-related symptoms for a short time. However, depending on the product, you may need to avoid long-term use. Like decongestants, overusing certain eye drops and nose drops can also cause a rebound effect.
Corticosteroids can help with inflammation and immune responses. These do not cause a rebound effect. Steroid nasal sprays are commonly recommended as a long-term, useful way to manage allergy symptoms. They are available both over the counter and by prescription.
Talk to your doctor before starting a regimen of any allergy treatment to make sure you are taking the best medications for your symptoms. Your doctor can also help you determine which products are made for short-term use and which are designed for long-term management.
Immunotherapy
Your doctor may recommend immunotherapy, or allergy shots, if you have severe allergies. You can use this treatment plan in conjunction with medications to control your symptoms. These shots decrease your immune response to particular allergens over time. They do require a long-term commitment to a treatment plan.
An allergy shot regimen begins with a buildup phase. During this phase, you’ll go to your allergist for a shot one to three times per week for about three to six months to let your body get used to the allergen in the shot.
During the maintenance phase, you will likely need to see your allergist for shots every two to four weeks over the course of three to five years. You may not notice a change until over a year after the maintenance phase begins. Once you reach this point, it’s possible that your allergy symptoms will fade or disappear altogether.
Some people can experience severe allergic reactions to an allergen in their shot. Many allergists ask you to wait in the office for 30 to 45 minutes after a shot to ensure that you don’t have an intense or life-threatening response to it.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)
SLIT involves placing a tablet containing a mixture of several allergens under your tongue. It works similarly to allergy shots but without an injection. Currently, it is effective for treating rhinitis and asthma allergies caused by grass, tree pollen, cat dander, dust mites, and ragweed. You can take SLIT treatments, such as Oralair for certain grass allergies, at home after an initial consultation with your doctor. Your first dose of any SLIT will take place in your doctor’s office. Like allergy shots, the medication is taken frequently over a period of time determined by your doctor.
Possible side effects include itching in the mouth or ear and throat irritation. In rare cases, SLIT treatments can cause anaphylaxis. Talk to your doctor about SLIT to see if your allergies will respond to this treatment. Your doctor will need to direct your treatment with this method.
Home remedies
Home remedies will depend on your allergens. If you have seasonal or pollen allergies, you can try using an air conditioner instead of opening your windows. If possible, add a filter designed for allergies.
Using a dehumidifier or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can help you control your allergies while indoors. If you’re allergic to dust mites, wash your sheets and blankets in hot water that’s above 130°F (54.4°C). Adding a HEPA filter to your vacuum and vacuuming weekly may also help. Limiting carpet in your home can also be useful.
Alternative and complementary medicine
Due to concerns over possible side effects, more people with allergies are looking at ways to address hay fever symptoms “naturally.” However, it is important to remember that any medication can have side effects, even if it’s considered natural. Aside from home remedies, options can also include alternative and complimentary medicine. The downside to these treatments can be that there’s little supporting evidence to prove that they’re safe or effective. The correct dosing may also be difficult to determine or achieve.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some of the treatments below may be helpful in managing seasonal allergies, but more research is still needed. Talk to your doctor before trying any of the following.
- acupuncture
- nasal saline irrigation
- butterbur supplements
- honey (choose raw, organic varieties)
- probiotics
Although these alternative treatments are derived from plants and other natural substances, they can possibly interact with medications, as well as cause reactions. Try these with caution, and ask your doctor before use.