Seasonal Allergies: Keeping them under Control

Claritin v/s Zyrtec: Which one is better?

2008-05-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

If someone was to ask me which do I prefer between Claritin or Zyrtec then I would probably say they both worked for me. Basically I have tried them both but I have been using Zyrtec for 2 years now and it's been doing really well. My doctor prescribed that to me last year when Allegra and Claritin stop working for me. She told me to try something different because being the fact I have had seasonal allergies all my life my body had got immune to the same medicine and maybe I needed something stronger. It seems like allergy season has gotten worse over these past few years. The pollen count is higher than ever. Just like Claritin, Zyrtec is now available prescription strength over the counter without a RX. I was use to paying $15 copay through my HMO for a 30 day supply, now I pay around $25 for a 30 day supply. You do the math. Both of these meds are very similar. They both provide 24 hour relief to relieve allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy throat. OTC allergy medicine only provides 4-6 hour relief. As an allergy sufferer who has time out their busy schedule to take their medicine every 4-6 hours just to get allergy relief when needed. With Claritin and Zyrtec its just once daily dosing but the Claritin D and Zyrtec D is twice a day. The D just means it is prescribed for allergies and congestion. They both are non drowsy and they have children’s chewable tablets and liquid formula as well.

Claritin now have RediTabs for ages 6 years and up where it instantly dissolves on your tongue and don't give you that medicine taste in your mouth. Great to use for those of you have active children playing outdoors need something to take right away to manage those irritating seasonal allergies. No water needed. Also on the Claritin website they have an Allergy Profiler where you answer a few questions and they give you allergy tips and product recommendations based on the answers you provided

For Zyrtec, coming in August 2008, they will carry Zyrtec Hives Relief due to the itching of hives for children and adults. For children there is 5mg and 10mg strength. I will say this if you have never tried Zyrtec before and don't know if you should take it then buy a 5 pack which usually runs around $5.00, take it for 5 days and see if you notice any changes. Did it make your seasonal allergies worse? Did it relieve your seasonal allergies? With me taking Zyrtec, I noticed that some days my seasonal allergies didn't trigger at all. The Zyrtec acts as an antihistamine to fight off allergens such as pollen, ragweed and grass that I come in contact with. If you are currently taking something for your seasonal allergies and its working then stick with it. Don't change it up. But if you one of the many allergy sufferers out there has taken every OTC medicine out there and it’s still not working then ask your doctor about Zyrtec. In my opinion they both have help me and they are both top choices recommended by doctors for indoor and outdoor allergies.

Air Purifiers helps Allergies and Asthma

2008-05-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

Having an air purifier can remove up to 99% airborne allergies from your household. This is essential for people who suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma. When I use an air purifier it helps me breathe easier and I am not as stuffy in the morning time. Air purifiers are designed to remove pollen,dust, pet dander and mold. If you smoke in your house the air filter will help eliminate the tobacco smoke odor.No More Odors!
You will definitely want to designate the air filter in the room you spend most of your time on. At AllergyBeGone they have a variety of air purifiers and humidifiers with over 10 different name brands to choose from. I would recommend when shopping for an air filter to get with one with a Humidifier
made into it. This helps put moisture back in the air when its dry. Currently they have a special going on the Air O Swiss HEPA Air Filter w/Cool Mist Humidifier Priced at $425.99 but has been marked down to $98.99. You save 77%. Get Free Ground shipping by putting in the coupon code sp1 at checkout. This is one of the Hot Buys of the Month! Their experts will tell you which air purifier is right for you to suit your needs. Also check out their Clearance Deals.

Claritin RediTabs

2008-05-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Claritin offers a RediTab that instantly dissolves. It supposed to be one of the fastest instant dissolving allergy product. It provides the same all day non-drowsy releif but in a quick dissolving tablet. No water needed and it doesn't leave that medicine taste in your mouth. This is perfect when you are on the go and you need something fast acting. It's available for kids ages 6 years and up too. I will say before taking anything always consult with your physician to see whats works well with you.

Itchy Eyes

2008-04-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies is itchy watery eyes. Allergens such as pollen, dust or pet dander travel through the air which comes in contact with your nose and eyes first. The release of histamine from your body causes your eyes to be watery, itchy, red and sometimes swollen. That's why it is advisable to take antihistamine meds to serve as a shield to keep your seasonal allergies more manageable. Here a a few tips to soothe those itchy eye allergies. Do not rub your eyes. You may want to rub your eyes to find relief but the release of histamine only makes the itching worse. Damp your eyes. Get a cold washcloth or paper towel and put it over your eyes for about 10 minutes when they feel irritated. Wear sunglasses when you are outside. My eye doctor told me that it so important to protect your eyes not just from the sun but also from those allergens that are in the air. Use eye drops. Eye drops really does soothe those itchy eyes. You can purchase eyes drops over the counter or get a prescription. The OTC eye drops of course will be less expensive and the prescription eyes drops will have a stronger dose. There is one that's is called Zaditor that is OTC but it's prescription strength. ( see their ad on the right side of this site for more information). Zaditor lasts up to 12 hours with only one drop and its safe for children as young as 3 years old. Most OTC eyes drops only provide short term relief for 4-6 hours. However Visine has one called Visine-A which is cheaper than the Zaditor. Its combine with an antihistamine and red reliever.

The Weather Will Affect Your Seasonal Allergies

2008-04-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Weather conditions plays a important role when it comes to your seasonal allergies. That's why its called seasonal allergies because it usually around the spring and summer months when its humid. There is a sigh of relief when I see rain because my allergies are not as bad. Wet weather causes less allergy symptoms where as dry weather increases your symptoms such as itchy watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, and in some cases hives. The rain helps wash the pollen off the plants and even your car. But when the rain is gone and the sun comes back out that's when humidity kicks back in causing those seasonal allergies to trigger. It's best to mow the grass or do any yard work when the weather is fair meaning not too hot, the wind is not blowing as much and the pollen count isn't high for that day. The pollen count is usually at its peak early in the morning between 5am-10am and in the evening from 4pm-7pm. Try to organize your outdoor activities around those times. I would advise to take a shower if you been outside longs periods of time. Reason is pollen travels through the air especially when the wind is blowing therefore causing it to land on your body and clothes. I can't stress how important that is. It's been too many times where I come in from walking outside and forgot about changing my clothes and within a matter of minutes my allergies are bothering me. Also check out this cool website called allergybegone.com. This is a company founded by Marc and Allen Barsano who were allergy sufferers as well. They strive to help people attack their allergy symptoms and educate them on the different allergens and treatment. They have different products for allergies, asthma, and respiratory. Products ranging from air humidifiers, dehumidifiers, water filters and allergy bedding. They even got face masks which are good if you are outdoors doing garden work or just taking a brisk walk in your neighborhood. Also on this website there is a clearance link on the right hand side to check out some of their marked down items such as the Hamilton Beach Cool Mist Humidifier for $29.99. You check it out.

Zyrtec Available Over the Counter

2008-04-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

Just a few months ago FDA approved Zyrtec to be sold over the counter without a prescription. Zyrtec is considered be one of top prescribed medicines recommended by doctors and allergists. This is great news for the millions of allergy sufferers out there however its not cheap. For example I use to pay a copay of $10.00 for 30 pills billed through my insurance company when I was getting it filled at the pharmacy. Now I get 30 tablets for around $22.99 at places like CVS or Walgreens. But I noticed that stores like CVS and Walgreens now have their own version of Zyrtec which sells for a couple dollars cheaper. To be honest the store brand works just as well. However you can visit Zyrtec's official website and get a $2.00 off coupon on your next purchase of Zyrtec. Zyrtec is also available in Children's. It comes in a chewable tablet in 5mg and 10mg and they even have grape flavored Allergy syrup for Children as young as 2 years old. Zyrtec D is also available to for those who suffer allergies and congestion at the same time. Zyrtec Hives Relief will be arriving in drug stores later this year in a tablet form as well. This will definitely relieve itching due to hives.

High Pollen Count : Be Prepared

2008-04-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

Pollen count is high today in my area. Very high. You can go to pollen.com and put in your 5 digit zip code to see what the pollen count is for that day and it also gives you extended outlook what the next 4 days would be like. Another great thing is it tells you what types of plants or weeds that is causing the pollen count to be so high in your area for each season. You have the option to sign up for allergy alert emails for free. They give you a 2 day advance alert to let you know if the pollen is going to be high that day. This is great when planning vacations. I like pollen.com because it educates you about pollen and its peak activity. So many allergy sufferers plan their vacation around when the pollen is at its highest. But always be prepared and keep your allergy medicine with you at all times. Allergies tend to react faster when the pollen is at its highest. The best method for this is to take your medicine everyday even when your seasonal allergies is not bothering you or before it starts. This ways it is already in your system and your body serves as a blocker. Pollen is traveled by the winds and usually if it don't land on its target, it end up landing on you. That's why it is so important to take clothes off once you get settled in your home. Keep hands washed because like I stated before when you go to grab your car door chances are there is a layer of pollen right there as well as the whole car itself. So keep your car wash. Also wash patio furniture before using to rinse the pollen off. Remember anything that you touch that is outside is likely to have pollen on it especially when the count is high and the wind is blowing. So stay alert!

Which meds are good for severe seasonal allergies

2008-04-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

There are several allergy medicines out there to take. You just need to find out which one is right for you. For me I love Zyrtec because it lasts 24 hours versus the OTC meds that only lasts 4-6 hours. Benadryl is good too but it will cause some drowsiness. I like Zyrtec because it does not make me drowsy and it is long lasting. Claritin is another good medicine to take for your seasonal allergies. However if for some reason you can't afford the ones that I mention then go economically and get Tylenol Severe Allergy and Sinus which cost around $6. Nasonex is good for the nose especially when you are stopped up and can't breathe. My doctor prescribed that for me and told me to spray twice in each nostril once a day. And yes it helps!! I'm not as stuffy and I can breathe a whole lot better. Whichever medication that you find out there to keep your seasonal allergies under control..stick with it. I would recommend you see your doctor first to go over what is right for you. Like I stated in my original blog Zyrtec is now available over the counter without a prescription. It also comes in a strength made just for children in chewable tablets and liquid formula. Based on clinical studies they say Zytec starts working 2 hours faster than Claritin. For more information about Zyrtec, visit their website .

Seasonal Allergies starting to Flare

2008-04-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

My allergies is outrageous today. I had to miss half a day's work just to get them under controlled. I can't stress enough how important it is to take precautions steps to keep seasonal allergies under control. I went out for lunch and didn't realize it but I touched the door handle to open the door then got in the car. Bad mistake! Without paying attention I casually touched my face and within minutes my seasonal allergies started to flare. Throughout the allergy season I will time to time list tips and ways to keep your seasonal allergies under control. Next time before you get in the car look down on your door handle. Do you see the fine layer of pollen that's dusted lightly on your car? Sure we don't pay attention to that but try rolling your window down while driving and watch how quickly the pollen travels inside your vehicle. Not a good look! Luckily I had took my Zyrtec this morning so it had time to get in my system to work. Remember pollen travels. Even on your clothes. So this time of the year be prepared to change clothes frequently or at least twice a day.

Seasonal Allergies: Keeping them under Control

2008-03-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

Allergic diseases are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. Seasonal allergies also known as hay fever is one of the most common allergies. Symptoms include runny nose, scratchy throat, watery eyes, frequent sneezing and sometimes congestion. Common triggers consist of ragweed, tree pollen, cut grass and mold. Majority of allergy sufferers usually have to take some type of medication whether it is OTC (over-the counter) or prescription drug. Remember most OTC meds are usually only temporary relief so consult with your physician about prescribing you something that is long lasting such as 24 hour relief. Depending on the severity, more than one med may be prescribed.

A seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction that is usually triggered during a certain time of the year mainly spring and summer. Pollen is produced from flowering plants that is normally carried by the wind or insects and served to cross-pollinate other plants of the same type for reproductive purposes. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person's eyes, nose, lungs, and on their skin to set up an allergic reaction. At weather.com you are able to put your zip code in and it will give you what is the tree, grass and weed pollen count in your area based on low, medium and high levels each day. You can also contact the National Allergy Bureau, which provides pollen reports to the public as well. This is very helpful especially when its time to go on vacation. Many allergy sufferers plan vacations around high peak times when the pollen count is high.

There are several things you can do to keep your seasonal allergies under control. Limiting your outdoor activity is one of them. You should avoid being outside from 6am-10am when the pollen count is most likely to be at its highest. Try to plan or schedule around those times. If you have to be outdoors during the high pollen count, I recommend you take a shower. Chances are there is pollen on your clothes and hair. Keep your car windows and house windows closed to prevent pollen from coming in. While driving use your AC if necessary to eliminate the intake of pollen from getting in especially if the wind is blowing and don’t forget your sunglasses to protect those eyes. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands when they itch. Instead get a cool cloth and lay it on your eyes to keep from watering or being irritated. Make sure you keep eye drops handy. Visine Eye Allergy Relief drops works well for me because it is combine with an antihistamine and redness reliever and it’s clinically proven effective for eye allergy relief.

Taking your meds before it triggers also helps control your seasonal allergies. If you take your medicine before your allergies starts then your symptoms are not as severe. When my seasonal allergies gets out of control let me tell you it is no joke! I am constantly sneezing. My throat is scratchy that I have to make that loud obnoxious noise to soothe it. There are several different allergy medications out there but whichever works for you -stick with it. Changing up meds does not always help your allergies however you may need to try different ones until you find the right one that makes your seasonal allergies manageable. The most popular ones are Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Singulair, Flonase. Following in Claritin’s footsteps, Zyrtec just recently announced that they are now available prescription strength without a prescription. For me I found that Zyrtec keeps my seasonal allergies under control and I like the fact that I can take something that last all day without feeling drowsy or miserable.

Sources I used:

http://www.weather.com/activities/health/allergies/?from=secondarynav

(www.aaaai.org/nab)