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.
Flonase is pretty good especially as a decongestant that won’t affect blood pressure versus Sudafed. For your dog I’ve noticed vets will prescribe Allegra or Benadryl for their allergies. May be something to look into with your local vet?
I live in Missouri where its always allergy season haha and I live off of Zyrtec and Flonase!!
Omg! Haha My boyfriend too! He lived in Missouri his whole life and his allergies weren’t bad until he moved over here to Florida.
I wanna move to Florida haha
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.
Yeah I’ve noticed that too with my own sinuses. I try not to use medication but if I need to Sudafed behind the pharmacy does the trick or Claritin for me. But everyone reacts differently.
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.
Damn allergic rhinitis. I’ve had it for a week!
Ugh they suck dude!
Yeah if she gets it that often she should see a doctor. The other side to decongestants like that is they can dry you out which may not help her case.
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.
I’m so glad it helped! Honestly my biggest thing is clearing up what things mean in and outside the pharmacy so people can have a better grasp on things when their shopping rather than buying a bunch of stuff because of marketing. If you need more info, subscribe to my page and I’ll continue dropping off random bits of advice 🙂
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.
Oh trust me that’s the worse. For me Claritin works and Sudafed if it’s really bad but I try to not use it all the time. Drinking plenty of water also helps.
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.
Whenever I catch common cough my hand always reaches to benedryl it is very effective! And i take it at bedtime. 🙂
Well Benadryl will be the most effective but unfortunately it will make you drowsy. But in your case, taking it at bedtime works out.
Yup. Especially in Florida haha. Honestly there is many options but not all will work on everyone. If Claritin or Allegra work stick with it.
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.
Oh wow that’s horrible. Make sure your drinking plenty of water as decongestants will essentially “ dry” out your sinuses
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.
Oh well that’s good? Haha I mean at least it’s not the full house but your poor girls! I hope this helps in anyway!
My allergies are the worst. Thank you for all of these great tips!
No problem!!
Of course!! I’m glad it helped you!
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.
That’s awesome! I love honey and it even has anti-inflammatory properties to help your immune system.
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.
It’s a great informative article on allergies. Thank you for sharing.
I had been part of some health group and I see people from Florida keep complaining about health and weather. This is informative post.
Yeah it’s bad over here!
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.
I’m glad and I hope to keep promoting information to as many people that are willing to learn.
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.
Oh wow that’s awful. We’ll try to see what works for you and stick with it. I would also suggest other means like drinking plenty of water and seeing an osteopath because medications especially allergy ones tend to mask the symptoms.
I have that Levoit purifier. I love it but find it tough finding the cartridge refills for it!
Oh I’m sorry :/ to be honest, I’ve worked in pharmacy for almost 6 years and I’ve never even heard of that product. It may be super specific and maybe why your having such trouble with refills.
Yes, and it didn’t start until I became an adult.
Yeah I’ve heard that from a lot of people actually.
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!
Yes I agree! I’m glad you found what works for you though! That’s usually the hardest part.
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!
Yes you are super lucky!!
Ohh my…really appreciate your personal sharing & learnt more about allegies here, thanks for thisy sharing. cheers siennylovesdrawing
Of course! I’m just glad it helped.
You are looking so cute
Thank you!
Seasonal environmental allergies are the worst. Food allergies can be dealt with
Yes I completely agree!