This is partly because some drugs, such as corticosteroid nasal sprays, take a few weeks to become fully effective. It's also because the reaction to even a few allergens has a snowball effect. Sedaghat explains. Only certain allergy medications should be used in advance.

Topping the list is a corticosteroid nasal spray, such as mometasone furoate Nasonex or fluticasone propionate Flonase. Many of these sprays are now available over the counter.

Another medication that can be taken in advance of anticipated symptoms is an antihistamine, which counteracts the effects of histamine.

But antihistamines can be risky for older adults. Some antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine Benadryl , can cause drowsiness, leading to falls. Sedaghat suggests avoiding it. Better options include the antihistamines fexofenadine Allegra or loratadine Claritin , available over the counter.

Those drugs are less likely to cause drowsiness. Safer than oral antihistamines are prescription antihistamine sprays, such as azelastine Astelin and olopatadine Patanase , which may help prevent the symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose while minimizing drowsiness.

Antihistamine eyedrops, such as ketotifen Zaditor , available over the counter, and olopatadine Patanol , available by prescription, can be used to prevent watery eyes. Decongestant pills, such as pseudoephedrine Sudafed , help reduce nasal congestion, but they can cause problems for people with high blood pressure or heart problems and should not be used to manage allergies.

Decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline Afrin should not be used for more than a few days, since long-term use can make congestion worse. Another option is allergy shots to help reduce allergic symptoms, but that approach can take three to five years to be fully effective.

This is usually a last resort for people who don't respond to medications and do not have asthma. Work with your doctor to develop a pretreatment strategy, including how far in advance you should use medications.

That plan should also include drug-free ways to avoid allergens, such as keeping air conditioning and heating filters and vents clean, keeping windows closed, wearing a mask for outdoor yard work, and avoiding going outside when pollen levels are highest.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. It is commercially available for allergies to dust mites, grass pollen, and ragweed.

Peanut allergen powder Palforzia is currently the only OIT with approval from the Food and Drug Administration FDA. Palforzia may reduce severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, occurring with accidental exposure to peanuts in children ages 4— Some people may outgrow allergies, especially allergies developed during early childhood.

One study also indicates that most children with an allergy to insect stings may not have allergic reactions into adulthood. Some people report that other allergies, such as pollen and pet dander allergies, become less severe as they age. Experts suggest that, with exposure to small amounts of an allergen over time, a person may develop tolerance.

This is similar to the way vaccines or allergy shots work. Although most allergies begin in childhood, they can develop at any time of life. Adults may also develop an allergy to something that did not previously affect them.

Allergies occur when the immune system mistakes a harmless substance, such as pollen, for an invader. The immune system overreacts to the substance, which is also known as an allergen, by producing antibodies. The antibodies then travel to cells that release the chemical histamine when triggered, which causes an allergic reaction.

The process in the body is complex, and it results in the allergy symptoms a person experiences as allergies. People with allergies experience many nasal passage, lung, and skin symptoms. Treatments for allergy symptoms include:.

Antihistamines block the effects of histamine in the body. Examples of oral antihistamines include:. Antihistamines can help alleviate allergy symptoms, such as:. Antihistamines may also prevent these symptoms from occurring if people take them before coming into contact with an allergen.

Most oral antihistamines are now available over the counter OTC. Nasal antihistamine sprays are available by prescription. Steroid nasal sprays, also known as nasal corticosteroids, are nose sprays that reduce swelling in the nasal passages.

Decongestants are medications that provide short-term relief from a stuffy nose. Common OTC oral decongestants include oxymetazoline nasal Vicks Sinex and phenylephrine Sudafed PE. Pseudoephedrine Sudafed may be available behind the pharmacy counter or by prescription.

Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn sodium NasalCrom , prevent the release of chemicals that cause inflammation, including histamine and leukotrienes. A doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, for severe allergy symptoms.

Oral corticosteroids reduce inflammation and prevent severe allergic reactions. A doctor will monitor a person taking oral corticosteroids because the medication may cause severe side effects. Topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, reduce skin inflammation and irritation.

They are available OTC and with a prescription as creams, gels, and lotions. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. During anaphylaxis, a person may experience constriction of the airways and swelling of the throat. Blood vessels may also expand, which can cause a severe drop in blood pressure.

Doctors prescribe an injection-based medication called epinephrine to prevent anaphylaxis from becoming life-threatening in people with potentially severe allergies.

Epinephrine is more commonly known as adrenaline. Epinephrine improves breathing and contracts blood vessels to continue supplying the heart and brain with blood. If a person thinks they are having an anaphylactic reaction, they should use their self-injectable epinephrine and call The most important step a person can take to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen that triggers their allergy.

In these cases, a doctor can help prepare an allergy management plan to reduce allergen contact and manage symptoms with medicines. If someone is unclear on the cause of an allergy, they may find it helpful to keep a diary.

Keeping track of their whereabouts, actions, and diet can help a person identify what triggers or worsens their symptoms. A person should consult their doctor or an allergist if they experience persistent allergy symptoms that do not ease with OTC treatments or that interfere with carrying out their daily tasks.

If someone experiences symptoms of anaphylaxis, they should inject themselves with epinephrine and immediately call If a person has previously had a severe allergic reaction, they should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. These can let other people know how to help if they have a severe allergic reaction and cannot communicate.

However, there are OTC and prescription medications that may relieve symptoms. Avoiding allergy triggers or reducing contact with them can help prevent allergic reactions. Over time, immunotherapy may reduce the severity of allergic reactions. If a person experiences a severe allergic reaction, they should get help from a healthcare professional immediately.

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is an allergy that causes sneezing, watery eyes, and itching, often in response to pollen. Find tips here for…. There are several treatments and home remedies for allergic reactions.

Learn more here. An allergic reaction can cause tiredness, as can other allergy symptoms and medications.

Your allergist may also recommend one or more medications to control symptoms. Some of the most widely recommended drugs are available without a prescription over the counter ; others, including some nose drops, require a prescription.

If you have a history of prior seasonal problems, allergists recommend starting medications to alleviate symptoms two weeks before they are expected to begin.

One of the most effective ways to treat seasonal allergies linked to pollen is immunotherapy allergy shots. These injections expose you over time to gradual increments of your allergen, so you learn to tolerate it rather than reacting with sneezing, a stuffy nose or itchy, watery eyes.

Among them:. Home Allergies Allergic Conditions Seasonal Allergies. On this page. Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers If you sneeze and cough during certain times of the year, you may have seasonal allergies.

Molds grow quickly in heat and high humidity. Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning hours. Rain washes pollen away, but pollen counts can soar after rainfall. On a day with no wind, airborne allergens are grounded. When the day is windy and warm, pollen counts surge.

Moving to another climate to avoid allergies is usually not successful — allergens are virtually everywhere.

Find an Allergist. Allergist Richard Weber, MD. Work together with your allergist to devise strategies to avoid your triggers: Monitor pollen and mold counts.

Weather reports in newspapers and on radio and television often include this information during allergy seasons. Keep windows and doors shut at home and in your car during allergy season. Most oral antihistamines are now available over the counter OTC.

Nasal antihistamine sprays are available by prescription. Steroid nasal sprays, also known as nasal corticosteroids, are nose sprays that reduce swelling in the nasal passages.

Decongestants are medications that provide short-term relief from a stuffy nose. Common OTC oral decongestants include oxymetazoline nasal Vicks Sinex and phenylephrine Sudafed PE.

Pseudoephedrine Sudafed may be available behind the pharmacy counter or by prescription. Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn sodium NasalCrom , prevent the release of chemicals that cause inflammation, including histamine and leukotrienes. A doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, for severe allergy symptoms.

Oral corticosteroids reduce inflammation and prevent severe allergic reactions. A doctor will monitor a person taking oral corticosteroids because the medication may cause severe side effects. Topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, reduce skin inflammation and irritation.

They are available OTC and with a prescription as creams, gels, and lotions. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. During anaphylaxis, a person may experience constriction of the airways and swelling of the throat.

Blood vessels may also expand, which can cause a severe drop in blood pressure. Doctors prescribe an injection-based medication called epinephrine to prevent anaphylaxis from becoming life-threatening in people with potentially severe allergies. Epinephrine is more commonly known as adrenaline.

Epinephrine improves breathing and contracts blood vessels to continue supplying the heart and brain with blood. If a person thinks they are having an anaphylactic reaction, they should use their self-injectable epinephrine and call The most important step a person can take to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen that triggers their allergy.

In these cases, a doctor can help prepare an allergy management plan to reduce allergen contact and manage symptoms with medicines. If someone is unclear on the cause of an allergy, they may find it helpful to keep a diary.

Keeping track of their whereabouts, actions, and diet can help a person identify what triggers or worsens their symptoms. A person should consult their doctor or an allergist if they experience persistent allergy symptoms that do not ease with OTC treatments or that interfere with carrying out their daily tasks.

If someone experiences symptoms of anaphylaxis, they should inject themselves with epinephrine and immediately call If a person has previously had a severe allergic reaction, they should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

These can let other people know how to help if they have a severe allergic reaction and cannot communicate. However, there are OTC and prescription medications that may relieve symptoms. Avoiding allergy triggers or reducing contact with them can help prevent allergic reactions.

Over time, immunotherapy may reduce the severity of allergic reactions. If a person experiences a severe allergic reaction, they should get help from a healthcare professional immediately.

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is an allergy that causes sneezing, watery eyes, and itching, often in response to pollen. Find tips here for…. There are several treatments and home remedies for allergic reactions.

Learn more here. An allergic reaction can cause tiredness, as can other allergy symptoms and medications. Here, learn how this happens and how to treat the fatigue. Frequently, we instruct you to begin a preventive medication regimen in early March if you have a known pollen allergy.

Symptoms can often be more easily controlled if medications are started prior to the pollen season. Some medications for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis are best used on a daily basis to control inflammation and prevent symptoms.

Over the counter oral anti histamines and eye drops can be effective in relieving mild to moderate symptoms. Antihistamines in the form of pills or nasal sprays block histamine and may relieve itching, sneezing, and a runny nose.

A common and effective over-the-counter oral antihistamine is Cetirizine, in 10mg tablets, taken once a day at bedtime. Sometimes the antihistamines alone may not relieve or reduce nasal stuffiness. You may want to consult with your clinician if these medications are not effective, Decongestants or steroid nasal sprays may be used if nasal stuffiness or congestion is not relieved with above medications.

Decongestants should not be used for long periods of time, usually not beyond days, to prevent congestion from reoccurring. Over-the-counter antihistaminic eye drops are recommended for short-term treatment of eye allergy symptoms.

Ophthalmic ketotifen eye drops, one drop twice a day, may be effective in controlling mild to moderate symptoms. In addition, saline eye drops may be effective in rinsing the pollen from the eyes, and refrigerating the drops prior to usage may be soothing to the eyes.

These can be used prior to antihistaminic eye drops and during the day when outdoors.

One of the most effective ways to treat seasonal allergies linked to pollen is immunotherapy allergy shots. These injections expose you over time to gradual increments of your allergen, so you learn to tolerate it rather than reacting with sneezing, a stuffy nose or itchy, watery eyes. Among them:.

Home Allergies Allergic Conditions Seasonal Allergies. On this page. Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers If you sneeze and cough during certain times of the year, you may have seasonal allergies.

Molds grow quickly in heat and high humidity. Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning hours. Rain washes pollen away, but pollen counts can soar after rainfall. On a day with no wind, airborne allergens are grounded.

When the day is windy and warm, pollen counts surge. Moving to another climate to avoid allergies is usually not successful — allergens are virtually everywhere. Find an Allergist. Allergist Richard Weber, MD. Work together with your allergist to devise strategies to avoid your triggers: Monitor pollen and mold counts.

Weather reports in newspapers and on radio and television often include this information during allergy seasons. Keep windows and doors shut at home and in your car during allergy season.

To avoid pollen, know which pollens you are sensitive to and then check pollen counts. In spring and summer, during tree and grass pollen season, levels are highest in the evening. In late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, levels are highest in the morning. Wear a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing other chores outdoors, and take appropriate medication beforehand.

Kealab's mom. Submit site search Need an Allergist? Expand Navigation What Does An Allergist Treat? When To See an Allergist Choosing an Allergist Allergies Expand Navigation Allergies Expand Navigation Who Gets Allergies?

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Cookie settings Accept. It's also because the reaction to even a few allergens has a snowball effect. Sedaghat explains. Only certain allergy medications should be used in advance. Topping the list is a corticosteroid nasal spray, such as mometasone furoate Nasonex or fluticasone propionate Flonase.

Many of these sprays are now available over the counter. Another medication that can be taken in advance of anticipated symptoms is an antihistamine, which counteracts the effects of histamine. But antihistamines can be risky for older adults.

Some antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine Benadryl , can cause drowsiness, leading to falls. Sedaghat suggests avoiding it. Better options include the antihistamines fexofenadine Allegra or loratadine Claritin , available over the counter. Those drugs are less likely to cause drowsiness.

Safer than oral antihistamines are prescription antihistamine sprays, such as azelastine Astelin and olopatadine Patanase , which may help prevent the symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose while minimizing drowsiness. Antihistamine eyedrops, such as ketotifen Zaditor , available over the counter, and olopatadine Patanol , available by prescription, can be used to prevent watery eyes.

Decongestant pills, such as pseudoephedrine Sudafed , help reduce nasal congestion, but they can cause problems for people with high blood pressure or heart problems and should not be used to manage allergies.

Decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline Afrin should not be used for more than a few days, since long-term use can make congestion worse. Another option is allergy shots to help reduce allergic symptoms, but that approach can take three to five years to be fully effective.

This is usually a last resort for people who don't respond to medications and do not have asthma. Work with your doctor to develop a pretreatment strategy, including how far in advance you should use medications.

That plan should also include drug-free ways to avoid allergens, such as keeping air conditioning and heating filters and vents clean, keeping windows closed, wearing a mask for outdoor yard work, and avoiding going outside when pollen levels are highest. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful?