Side effects for these are minimal, but Dr. These must be used daily or twice daily for a few weeks to make a noticeable difference. Corticosteroids, like Flonase, work by decreasing inflammation in the nasal passages.“That way, pollen and other allergens don’t linger in there.” “The majority of people can manage mild allergy symptoms with a saline rinse to clean the nose,” Dr. Whether using an over-the-counter squirt bottle, a home brew of distilled water and kosher (non-iodized) salt, or a neti pot, it’s a proven way to clear pollen and other allergens from the mucous membranes. Saline rinses are the natural way to keep nasal passages clean and moist and ease sinus inflammation.Frank separates these nasal sprays into five different “flavors,” almost all of which are available over the counter: These, too, are safe to use on a daily basis - with some minor exceptions.ĭr. Many allergy sufferers turn to sprays for relief. So if you take many other prescriptions, the newer antihistamines are a safer bet, experts say. They cause less drowsiness and can last for up to 24 hours.Īnother benefit of second-generation antihistamines is that they interact with fewer medications. Second-generation antihistamines like Allegra, Zyrtec, Clarinex, and Claritin came along in the 1980s, 40 years after the first-generation drugs. Doctors also recommend against taking first-generation antihistamines if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, or emphysema. Research has also linked their long-term use to an increased risk of dementia. This type of medication, also called anticholinergics, can cause confusion and falls among older adults. “They are stronger for reducing allergy symptoms, but they can cause some drowsiness, and they don’t last all day,” Dr. They generally fall into two “generations.” First-generation medications like Dramamine, Dimetapp, Nyquil, and Benadryl target histamine receptors in the nervous system and can cause drowsiness because they cross what’s called the “blood-brain barrier.” Here’s a deeper dive into those medications, some of which come with a few precautions.Īntihistamine medications work by blocking the chemicals that cause us to suffer an allergic reaction. Frank says they are all safe to use without fear of forming a habit or building up a tolerance. Most allergy sufferers rely on a daily antihistamine pill or corticosteroid spray, and Dr. “There are nearly no long-term concerns at all with those allergy medications,” Dr. Some highly effective sprays can become habit-forming and create rebound symptoms, he says, while the latest generation of antihistamines have almost no side effects. That depends on the drug, says Thomas Frank, MD, otolaryngologist on the medical staff at Methodist Richardson Medical Center.
Allergy season never really ends in North Texas, but are antihistamines, also known as allergy medications, safe to use every day indefinitely?
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