The other names for seasonal allergies are hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. These allergies can interfere with your work, and daily routine, etc. Allergies can also produce or aggravate symptoms of asthma. They can also produce called other health problems such as infections of the sinus (sinusitis) and ear infections, particularly in children.

An allergy is defined as an unusual response of the body to a foreign substance, which is called an allergen. If your body comes in the contact with an allergen, your immune system fights it by releasing endogenous substances called histamines. Histamine is an endogenous substance that produces symptoms such as runny nose, itching eyes, red eyes, watery eyes, skin rash, etc.

Treatment of seasonal allergies with allergy meds

The most commonly prescribed allergy meds for treating symptoms of allergies include antihistamines, corticosteroids, and nasal decongestants.

Seasonal allergies are usually triggered by pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds in the spring, and by ragweed and other weeds, which are released during late summer and early fall. As it is not possible for you to stay indoors all the time throughout the season, your physician can recommend you prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat allergies.

Different types of allergy meds

Antihistamines 

Antihistamines are class of allergy meds that act by stopping the action of histamine and are sold in several forms, which include tablets, nasal sprays, and liquids. They are classified into two types- First generation and second generation. First-generation antihistamines can induce drowsiness. Second-generation antihistamines produce fewer side effects and have a lesser chance of causing drowsiness as compared to the first-generation antihistamines.

Nasal corticosteroids

This type of allergy meds is to be sprayed into the nose once or twice a day. These medications help in reducing inflammation and allergy symptoms. The common side effects produced by these allergy meds include nose bleeding, stinging sensation in the nose, etc. These are sold OTC and on prescription.

Decongestants

This type of allergy meds are available both on prescription and OTC. They come in the form of oral and nasal sprays. They are sometimes suggested for use in combination with antihistamines. Do not use decongestant nose sprays and drops for an extended period of time as they are likely to worsen your nasal congestion. These allergy meds are suitable for short-term use.

In addition to the above-mentioned class of allergy meds, your doctor can recommend other medicines to treat your allergy symptoms depending on your symptoms and severity of the condition.

Immunotherapy can be used as a substitute. One type of immunotherapy is allergy shots. In this type, your body responds to administered amounts of a particular allergen. Another type of immunotherapy is administering allergens in the form of a tablet, which is to be placed under the tongue (sublingual) every day, before and during the pollen season.

Administer allergy meds carefully to children as certain medicines are safe to use in children as young as two years, while others are not safe to use in children under 12 years.

This is how allergy meds effectively treat seasonal allergies.