Antihistamines are among the most common treatments for allergies. They can help relieve symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and itching, family physician Mike Sevilla told Parade.
Nasal sprays and medicines for nasal congestion are also available. Although many allergy medicines can be bought without a prescription, that does not mean they are risk-free.
According to family physician Uma Darji, some medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion or a rapid heartbeat.
They can also interact with other medications, including sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication.
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Avoid these mistakes
According to Sevilla, some nasal sprays for congestion should not be used for more than three days. The body can quickly become accustomed to the medication, making it less effective.
The choice of allergy medicine should also be appropriate for both the symptoms and the person's overall health.
Darji recommends that people with high blood pressure or heart disease speak with their doctor before taking oral decongestants.
Antihistamines should also not be used as a substitute for epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction. They can help with itching and hives but do not treat serious problems with breathing or blood pressure.
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This should be avoided
The doctors' main warning concerns alcohol. According to Parade, alcohol should be avoided when taking allergy medicine.
The combination can worsen drowsiness, dizziness and impaired reaction time. According to family physician David Cutler, the risk is particularly associated with older types of antihistamines.
Taking the medicine in the morning and drinking alcohol in the evening does not necessarily solve the problem. According to Darji, many newer antihistamines remain effective for around 24 hours.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.