It's Allergy Season...Again

This time of year, at least for me anyway, is kind of like opening the black out curtains on a beautiful sunny day.
They days are growing longer, the temperature is growing warmer, and natures colours are blooming everywhere you go. How nice it is to take off the winter jacket and begin digging out the warm weather cloths.
But then it hits you...the sneeze, the watering eyes, the itchy eyes, the itchy throat the...well itchy everything really.   Yes, it's allergy season and it's putting a damper on your warm and joyful spring thoughts.  It's time to stock up on the allergy pills and any other form of relief and prevention you can get your hands on.

There are a whole lot of options available but navigating them can be a bit overwhelming.
So have a chat with your Doctor and/or Pharmacist to help you find what will work best for you.

To begin with there are several types of over the counter (OTC) allergy medications, some are considered sedating while others are non-sedating.

The First Generation Antihistamines include:

 Brompheniramine  (Dimetane,Respa-BR)  - Available over the counter as well as by prescription.

 Chlorpheniramine   (Clor-Trimeton, Clor-Tripolon, Diabetic Tussin) - Available over the counter.

 Diphenhydramine   (Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy Dye-free LiquiGels, Childrens Benadryl  Allergy, Children's Triaminic Thin Strips Allergy, Alka-Seltzer Plus Allergy, Nytol, PediaCare   Children's Allergy, Simply Sleep, Sominex, QlearQuil Nighttime Allergy Relief, Tranquil Nighttime Sleep Aid, Unisom SleepGels, Unisom SleepMelts, ZzzQuil )
  - Available over the counter as well as by prescription.

 Clemastine (tavist)    - Available over the counter as well as by prescription.

The Second Generation Antihistamines Include:

Cetirizine   (Zyrtec, Zyrtec Allergy, Children's Zyrtec Allergy, Children's Zyrtec Hives Relief,   Pediacare Children's 24 Hour Allergy, Aller-Tec, Wal-Ztr )
  - Available over the counter as well as by prescription.

Fexofenadine  (Allegra, Allegra Allergy 12 Hour, Allegra Allergy 24 Hour, Children's Allegra   Allergy, Mucinex Allergy)  - Available over the counter as well as by prescription.

Loratadine  (Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, QlearQuil All Day & Night 24 Hour Allergy Relief,   Alavert)
  - Available over the counter.

   Next week I will continue the conversation of allergy relief with other forms of releif like eye drops and nasal sprays.


Sources:
             medscape.com
             medicinenet.com