• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Daytime Allergy Relief

January 5, 2011 by ds_11119 Leave a Comment

Seasonal and environmental allergies are an uncomfortable reality for many people. Unfortunately, many antihistamines and decongestants can cause drowsiness, making them a poor choice for daytime use. The right medications and coping strategies can keep you at your best in the battle against watery eyes, a runny nose and other allergy symptoms.

Types

Seasonal and environmental allergies can cause sneezing, congestion, sore throat, coughing, eye irritation and sinus discomfort year round, depending upon your allergies. Common allergens include pollen, mold, dust, mites, pets and secondhand smoke. Avoidance and prevention can reduce allergy symptoms, but many people require treatment to keep allergic reactions under control.

Function

Allergy symptoms arise from the body’s histamine reaction to an allergen. Medications can reduce this immune response to allergens and reduce or eliminate symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines are available, some designed for daytime use. Newer drugs have fewer side effects and are less apt to cause drowsiness, according to WebMD. You may also need to consider decongestants, which reduce blood flow to the mucus membranes in the nose to reduce congestion and nasal swelling. You can opt for a systemic decongestant like pseudoephedrine or a decongestant nasal spray.

Natural Treatments

You may be able to improve your overall health and reduce allergy symptoms with regular nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation requires a bulb syringe or neti pot and saline solution. Hold your head over a sink and pour saline into one nostril, allowing it to flow out the other nostril. Breathe through your mouth, then repeat for the other nostril. Nasal irrigation can remove allergens from your sinus cavity, washing them away, reports WebMD.

Prevention/Solution

Many allergy symptoms can be reduced by making changes in your workplace or home environment. Maintain your home and office at 68 to 72 degrees and 40 to 50 percent humidity, recommends MedicineNet.com. Change filters on your heating and cooling system frequently, and consider installing HEPA or high-efficiency particle air-filter systems in your home to reduce the overall allergen load. If you have outdoor allergies, keep windows closed and stay indoors during peak allergy times.

Warning

While over-the-counter allergy medications can manage mild to moderate allergies, your healthcare provider may be able to help you manage your allergies with different medications or find options that reduce side effects, particularly during the day. If you start a new medication, particularly if it’s a systemic option as opposed to a nasal spray or eye drops, allow time to make sure it does not induce drowsiness.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_11119

Michelle Powell-Smith has been writing on a variety of subjects from finance to crafts since 2004. Her work appears on sites including eHow and ModernMom.com. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in art history from the University of Missouri-Columbia, which has provided strong research skills and a varied range of interests.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

After reading "20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids," I … [Read More...] about 10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Can Self Rising Flour Substitute for Baking Soda?

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb ?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

tricks to get pen stains out of light clothes

Tricks to Get Pen Stains Out of Light Clothes

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Refrigerate Fresh Lemon Juice

How Long Can You Refrigerate Fresh Lemon Juice?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.