 Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever or allergies, occurs when your body perceives tiny particles in the air as "foreign" and rallies your immune system against them. Particles capable of causing this immune response are called allergens. Allergens include tree and grass pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and itchy and watery eyes. Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, occur only during certain times of the year. They're common in the spring, summer, and fall when airborne pollen is widespread. You have perennial allergic rhinitis when you experience symptoms year round. It's typically caused by indoor allergens, such as animal dander, molds, and dust mites.Prescription drugs that can relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis include antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, an anticholinergic nasal spray called ipratropium (brand name Atrovent), and eye drops containing the drug cromolyn. The closest thing to a cure for allergies is allergy injections, which are given over several weeks or months to desensitize your immune system to the allergens that cause problems. Your doctor can help you determine which treatments are best for you. Antihistamines help against sneezing, runny nose, and watery and itchy eyes. Two equally effective prescription antihistamines are available: fexofenadine (brand name Allegra), and desloratadine (Clarinex). Both of them are much less likely to cause drowsiness when compared to some over the counter antihistamines. Allegra and Clarinex are also available combined with the decongestant pseudoephedrine and sold as Allegra D and Clarinex-D. Prescription antihistamine nasal sprays such as azelastine (>Astelin) relieve symptoms of runny, itchy, stuffy nose, and sneezing. Corticosteroid nasal sprays are prescription drugs for relieving and also preventing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Corticosteroid nasal sprays include beclomethasone (brand names Beconase, >Beconase AQ, Vancenase, and >Vancenase AQ). Other steroid nasal sprays are budesonide (Rhinocort), flunisolide (Nasalide), fluticasone (>Flonase), and triamcinolone (Nasacort) or >Nasacort AQ). Ipratropium (brand name >Atrovent), is an anticholinergic nasal spray that can stop a runny nose but is not effective for a stuffy nose. Prescription eye drops called cromolyn (>Crolom) can both treat and prevent the red and itchy eyes that are caused by allergies.
A prescription drug called montelukast (Singulair) blocks immune system chemicals that cause certain allergy symptoms such as increased mucus production. It can be used to treat symptoms of hay fever and allergic asthma. Sources:
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. William Morrow & Co., 1996.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.
Diseases and Conditions, "Hay Fever." http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 12/20/2006.
This answer prepared 9/14/2000.
This information updated 06/24/2007.
- >clarinex
- >beclomethasone
- >triamcinolone
- >flunisolide
- >triamcinolone
- >fexofenadine
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