As someone whose lived in Florida their whole lives, if there’s one thing I can’t stand more than slow drivers and people who chomp straight into ice creams like some barbarian, it’s allergies. And if you’ve been here even a couple weeks or months, then you’ve had to face the bipolar weather, the extreme shifts in temperature and all the “fun” that comes along with it.
I can’t tell you how many patients come in everyday suffering from allergies, mistaking it for a cold many times or even the flu and usually in most cases, spending their entire mornings –if they’re lucky; to over pay for some antibiotics that probably won’t help you and come to find out that most of your prescriptions are over the counter. And yes, that means 99% of the time, unless you have a Medicaid plan, they don’t cover it. So before you go and spend all that time, effort, and tears, let’s go over a few things.
Damn, Allergies
If you have:
- Itchy, teary eyes
- Runny nose
- Chest congestion
- Nasal dripping
- Sinus Pressure
- Stuffy nose
These are allergy symptoms. They can be part of other symptoms when you have a cold and flu, like fever, body aches, etc. But these symptoms alone can be alleviated with anti-histamines. They consist of:
- Benadryl – Diphenhydramine
- Claritin – Loratidine
- Allegra – Fexophenadine
- Zyrtec – Cetirizine
These are usually what your doctors will prescribe but you’ll see them with different names or generic names if you will. Sometimes they’ll prescribe nasal sprays to alleviate symptoms such as Flonase. Sometimes the insurance companies will pay for it and sometimes they consider it over the counter and won’t because they know you can buy it with or without a script.
Hope this helps!
Do you Suffer from Allergies?
About the Author:
This is Alexandra Palacios. She is a sarcastic Peruvian premed student who loves her champagne the way she loves her fries, crispy. She’s a nationally certified Lead Pharmacy technician and has spent almost 6 years understanding the ins and outs of prescriptions, insurance, and all things pharmacy related.
Through her career she’s been able to help many patients along the way with understanding and guidance towards coverage options, claim clarification, over the counter products, and direction to many resources for drug savings. She has now created a blog to further help as many patients as she can outside of her store’s hours.
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I suffered form bad allergies as a child but somehow grew out of them as I got older. Both my girls however have them pretty bad. My oldest used to have to take Predisone for them but now both of them just get by on Zyrtec and Flonase. Believe it or not I have a dog that suffers terribly this time of year.
I live in Missouri where its always allergy season haha and I live off of Zyrtec and Flonase!!
When I was younger I never really had to deal with allergies, but I’ve notice my sinuses are getting more irritated during the spring than they used to.
Thankfully, I don’t tend to suffer from hayfever type allergies. My sister does and I know how much she suffers every year. I think she actually needs to get prescribed a steroid based med.
I so feel you! I used to have this type of allergy before which went away two years back due to treatment of skin allergy. it was my lucky moment! I am still worried it might come back. You advice is superb, I used to do it all to reduce my symptoms.
Damn those allergies. I still have them and I find it really annoying when it attacks during work or when I’m on an adventure.
It is allergy season, huh?… I use Claritin and Allegra to try to tame those allergies. It is nice to see this article with other options to try as well.
Tree pollen is horrible this year in Japan that I had to religiously take OTC to make sure I wasn’t dying. If I didn’t, I would be really bad.
I have been lucky with allergies as me and my boys hardly get knocked down. But the girls are not that lucky.
Thank you for the info.
My allergies are the worst. Thank you for all of these great tips!
Unless it goes inside my nose and bothers with me with sneezing I’m fine with it 😀
I know all to well about allergies. Between my fiance, step-daughter or myself someone is always on a med for it.
hank you so much for sharing these handy tips! I have found by havving local honey my allergy symptons are less severe.
I didn’t suffer from allergies until I was 30, but since then, it’s gotten progressively worse. This time of year, 24 hour Claritin is my best friend. I always have Claritin in my toiletries bag when I travel, especially when heading to Florida from Ohio in the colder months. No matter what, I’ll wake up stuffy and miserable the first morning there.
I had been part of some health group and I see people from Florida keep complaining about health and weather. This is informative post.
Allergies sucks! I have skin allergy or sing high chemical soap like beauty soap and eating sea food I know what it feels like have an allergy!! Great information from you!
These are some good recommendations for identifying and coping with allergies. This brings awareness to those with symptoms who are not yet sure.
While I have no significant allergies, my sister had some major issues when she was a child. This is some good advice.
I don’t think so I have allergies but I keep an eye on symptoms in pollen season.
I have massive grass allergies. I swear, I hear a lawn mower and I start sneezing. It’s ridiculous. Each year seems to differ in severity, some being much worse than others. I just buy allergy meds and take them year-round and have for several years now.
I have that Levoit purifier. I love it but find it tough finding the cartridge refills for it!
Yes, and it didn’t start until I became an adult.
Allergies are the worst! I hate sneezing!
Zertec is my go-to! The pollen here in Florida is terrible and it gets my allergies acting up every year!
I’ve been fortunate enough to have not had allergies where I live. But I see many of my family members who suffer with them!
Ohh my…really appreciate your personal sharing & learnt more about allegies here, thanks for thisy sharing. cheers siennylovesdrawing
You are looking so cute
Seasonal environmental allergies are the worst. Food allergies can be dealt with