Allergy: which medicines help and when to see a doctor

Bouts of sneezing, a blocked nose and itchy eyes are typical of an allergy to pollen, dust or pet hair. Here is what helps and when you need a doctor.

Allergy or a cold?

With an allergy, the discharge is clear, the nose and eyes itch, there's no fever, and the symptoms last for weeks and come back at the same time each year. A cold usually brings a temperature and aches and clears up in 7–10 days.

Antihistamine tablets

Modern antihistamines — cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine — are taken once a day and cause drowsiness less often than older ones. Cetirizine can still make some people sleepy, so take care when driving in the first few days. Children have drops and syrups, with the dose depending on age.

• Zyrtec tablets 10 mg №30 (cetirizine)
• Zyrtec drops 10 mg/ml 20 ml
• Loratadine tablets 10 mg №10
• Loratadine syrup 100 ml
• Aerius tablets 5 mg №10 (desloratadine)

For the nose

Saline sprays rinse pollen off the lining of the nose. Ectoin sprays form a protective film on it. Steroid nasal sprays work well for a strong allergic runny nose, but a doctor chooses them. Decongestant drops — no more than 5–7 days.

• Aqua Maris Ectoin nasal spray 20 ml
• Aqua Maris Strong nasal spray 30 ml

Reducing contact with allergens

• In pollen season, keep windows shut in the morning and on windy days.
• After being outside, wash your face, rinse your nose and change clothes.
• Don't dry laundry outdoors in pollen season.
• Damp-dust and mop regularly.

When to see a doctor

• Tablets don't help, or symptoms disturb your sleep and work.
• You develop a cough, wheezing or breathlessness — it may be asthma.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or the child is under 2 — choose the medicine with a doctor.

If the lips, tongue or face swell, or breathing becomes difficult, call 103 or 911 straight away.

An allergist can run tests, find the exact cause and suggest treatment. Questions? Ask the pharmacist at any ABAPharm pharmacy or write to us in the site chat.