Seasonal Allergy Medications: Relief in a Bottle?

Reviewed By:
Marc J. Sicklick, M.D., FAAAAI, FACAAI

The best line of defense against seasonal allergies is to avoid what causes them, but that isn't always possible. You can't stay indoors all the time or only take a walk after a long rain. So you'll need help with your symptoms: runny nose, watery eyes, sneeze, nasal congestion.

Over-the-counter painkillers, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin can help with a sinus headache, and a saline nasal spray (especially a hypertonic saline spray) can temporarily loosen mucus so you can blow your nose. But the following medications and treatments target the underlying issues that cause most allergy symptoms to offer more complete relief.

Over-the-counter allergy medications

Antihistamines. Used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes, antihistamines actually disrupt the allergy-causing histamine molecules in your bloodstream, halting the allergy process midstream. They are most effective if you take them regularly, especially if you take them three to five hours before coming into contact with an allergen. Learn more about antihistamines.
Decongestants. These medications reduce nasal congestion, swelling and redness. While decongestants are effective at providing you with relief from allergy symptoms, they do not disrupt the allergy process itself. Caution: Overusing these meds can cause irritation and actually worsen symptoms on some occasions. Learn more about decongestants.
Mast Cell Stabilizers. When taken regularly, mast cell stabilizers are able to reduce or prevent many of the typical allergy symptoms such as swelling, itching and a runny nose. Like antihistamines, these medications work by suppressing certain cells in the body and interrupting the allergic process, though they are not as effective as antihistamines and they take longer to work. Learn more about mast cell stabilizers.

Prescription allergy medications

Corticosteroids. These medications resemble certain hormones naturally produced by the body. They work by decreasing inflammation in the nasal passages that are caused by an allergic reaction. For this reason, they are often used to treat the most severe seasonal allergy symptoms. They can be inhaled, taken in pill form, or used as eye drops. However, long-term use can have significant side effects. Learn more about corticosteroids.
Leukotriene modifiers. Leukotrienes are chemical messengers in the body that encourage inflammation. Leukotriene modifiers intercept that message. They are usually prescribed to treat asthma, but can also be taken regularly to prevent seasonal allergy symptoms, especially in combination with antihistamines. Like corticosteroids, they may have significant side effects. Learn more about leukotriene modifiers.

Medical treatment

Immunotherapy (allergy shots). If you have chronic allergies and neither avoidance nor medications provide much help, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy. This involves a series of shots, usually given by an allergist. The shots expose you to an increasing amount of your specific allergy trigger (allergen) over time until your immune system becomes more tolerant to it. You may be required to get shots once or twice a week, and the therapy may last for up to a year or more. Learn more about allergy shots.

While allergy symptoms can be a pain, it's a relief to know that so many types of treatment are available to help you feel better. The trick is finding the right combination. With so many medications to choose from, it's a good idea to work with your doctor to make sure that you get the right drugs for your specific triggers and symptoms.

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