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.

Follow her:

Website:  ahandfuloframbles.com

Instagram: @thrive.lap.soar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorptobe/

Do you have a Wellness Wednesday Blog or Guest Post you’d Like me to Share?

Guest Bloggers Wanted

Hello, I’m Thuy of honeybunnytwee. I write a Wellness Wednesday guest bloggers series. Send an article or link to a blog post about health and wellness, self-care, fitness, or mental health at [email protected] or fill out this Google Form. Upon review, you’ll have a chance to be featured! I’m always looking for more Wellness Wednesday submissions.