 Allergic rhinitis is a reaction to tiny particles in the air such as tree and grass pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. Common allergy symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, watery itchy eyes, cough, and stuffy nose.There are many over-the-counter products available to treat allergic rhinitis. Treatments in tablet or capsule form often contain antihistamines, decongestants, or a combination of the two. Eye drops like Ocuhist (brand name for pheniramine and naphazoline) combine an antihistamine and a decongestant to relieve itchy, red eyes. A third type of medicine is a nasal spray called Nasalcrom (cromolyn). While none of these will cure allergies, they each prevent or relieve different symptoms. When choosing an allergy medicine, it’s best to pick one that treats only the symptoms you’re having at that time. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), Tavist (clemastine), and Actifed (triprolidine), are usually tried first to help relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and watery and itchy eyes. In some people, these products can cause drowsiness and dry mouth. You should not take antihistamines if you have certain medical conditions such as bronchitis, glaucoma, or difficulty urinating. A decongestant such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) can be taken along with the antihistamine to help relieve a stuffy nose. If you have high blood pressure, you should not take decongestants unless your doctor recommends them. Nasalcrom (cromolyn), a nasal spray, is used to prevent allergy symptoms. It turns off the allergic process in the nose before it starts. Nasalcrom causes few side effects and will not make you drowsy. References:The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1997.Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts and Comparisons, 1999. This answer prepared 7/15/99.
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