![]() “Home tests can be variable as to what they tell you about your immune system,” Dr. If you’ve tried one of the many home tests for allergies, be sure you still follow up with a doctor. “Those can be very different based on where you live.” “Allergists usually test for a panel of locally relevant pollens,” she says. “That would signal an allergy,” she says. Solutions of different allergens are put on the skin to see if a reaction that’s similar to a mosquito bite occurs, Dr. Usually, allergy testing is done via skin pricks. “The testing also helps with designing avoidance strategies, such as when someone is allergic to a pet or another indoor allergen such as mold.” “Allergy testing can confirm that someone’s symptoms are actually due to an allergy rather than chronic sinusitis or some other condition,” Dr. If you’re having trouble getting your symptoms under control, it’s smart to see an allergist. Here’s what else to have on hand to keep your family healthy and safe.) Who should consider allergy testing? (Medication isn’t the only spring essential to stock up on. “This process takes time and is best activated prior to the peak of allergy season.” “However, I recommend pre-dosing prior to allergy season because antihistamines also have an anti-inflammatory effect,” she explains. (Learn how to tell if your symptoms are from allergies, a cold, or COVID-19.)Īntihistamines work quickly to relieve symptoms - usually within a few hours, Dr. If you have a known history of allergies, you can start taking medication about a month before mold or pollen hits in the spring or fall. Should you start taking an allergy medication before your symptoms start? From medications to eye drops to saline spray, we have you covered. “So if one doesn’t work, it’s okay to switch to another one.”įind all your allergy essentials at the Optum Store. “They all work well and carry minimal risk,” she says. Generally, they are interchangeable, says Dr. ![]() Carr.īut don’t drive yourself crazy trying to decide which one to buy. “People sometimes need to try different options before finding the right one,” says Dr. When it comes to finding the best allergy medication for you, plan on some trial and error. The newer medications are usually dosed once daily and are all effective.” She’s the director of the adult allergy program at Banner–University Medical Center Tucson. “It is not our preferred medication to treat daily allergy symptoms. “Benadryl is an older medication that has lots of side effects and wears off more quickly,” says Tara Carr, MD. In addition to Zyrtec and Claritin, other OTC antihistamines include Allegra ® (fexofenadine), Xyzal ® (levocetirizine) and Benadryl ® (diphenhydramine). ![]() If you need help with allergy symptoms right away, you can book a virtual visit with an Optum provider as soon as today, no insurance required. Although if there is a concern about drowsiness, she recommends Claritin. But she often recommends Zyrtec (cetirizine) over Claritin (loratadine). Kung doesn’t insist that a person use only name brands. However, Zyrtec has a greater chance of making you sleepy while taking it.”īecause generic medications are just as effective as their name-brand versions, Dr. “It also reaches a higher concentration in the skin, which can be more helpful for skin-related allergies. “Zyrtec is found to be more potent, or stronger, in laboratory studies, compared with Claritin,” says Dr. She’s an allergist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. It’s responsible for causing all those familiar allergy symptoms: itching, sneezing, runny nose, congestion and more.īoth medications are effective, well-tolerated and good at treating allergies, says Amiinah Kung, MD. That means they block the effects of histamine, a chemical that your immune system releases during an allergic reaction. Let’s start with the similarities: Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are both over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine medications. ![]() What’s the difference between Zyrtec and Claritin? We’re breaking down the differences between Zyrtec® and Claritin® and answering even more of your questions along the way. But with so many choices available, picking the right one can become a decision-making nightmare. If you’re scrolling through your allergy medication options to relieve a runny nose, congestion and sneezing, it must be spring.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |