Season Allergies!!

[pineapplebride]

Hi ladies!!

 

I am totally getting my butt kicked by seasonal allergies this time of year!! I've turned into a total snot factory...constant sneezing....puffy eyes.... itchy nose and eyes... UGH! I think it is exceptionally bad this year!

 

Who else gets seasonal allergies and what helps??

 

I've been neti potting for years to help clear my sinuses, and I've been using Reactine. However, I am wondering if I should see about getting prescription allergy medication?!?

[Pazzesca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineapplebride Hi ladies!! I am totally getting my butt kicked by seasonal allergies this time of year!! I've turned into a total snot factory...constant sneezing....puffy eyes.... itchy nose and eyes... UGH! I think it is exceptionally bad this year! Who else gets seasonal allergies and what helps?? I've been neti potting for years to help clear my sinuses, and I've been using Reactine. However, I am wondering if I should see about getting prescription allergy medication?!?

As a year-round allergy sufferer I would suggest you see an allergist if you are thinking of going the prescription route. This way you can be tested for what it is exactly your are allergic too so you can avoid your triggers.

I'm allergic to grass, trees, ragwee, pollen and dander. I used to get sinus infections and sick every month and sinus headaches all the time and I would wake up coughing and wheezing. My regular doctor just kept prescribing the z-pack and did nothing else.

My FI suggested I see an allergist and oh boy! She did the scratch test (doesn't hurt I swear) and had to stop after 5 minutes cause i was reacting to the allergens so badly. it's usually a 20 minute test.

the allergist also sent me to get an mri of my face and found i had infection in all of my sinuses as well as polyps and a deviated septum (which explained my constant mouth breathing, lol)

i had sinus surgery and my quality of life has been so much better!! i get two allergy shots a week. one grass/ragweed the other trees (still have to start pollen and dander). I get significantly less sinus headaches and I haven't had a sinus infection in 3 years since the surgery. I avoid my triggers (a.k.a. almost everything outside) by keeping windows shut on high allergy days, etc.

now I know I am an extreme case but again, you should see an allergy doctor to see exactly what you are allergic to. Some meds work better for certain allergens.

Good luck! keep me posted!!

[greysgirl]

I have seasonal allergies and swear by nasal irrigators (Neti Pot) and Zyrtec-D. It's over the counter, but has worked best for me. I tried many Rx drugs that didn't help: Astelin (nasal antihystamine), Xyzal (oral antihystamine), Nasonex, Singulair, and a few others. I could sell Zyrtec-D I like it so much! I am pretty sensitive to ephedrine products also, so I was weary of the 'D' aspect, but it doesn't make me jittery at all. Good luck!

[mnh1983]

Zyrtec has worked well for me too. I've tried the Neti-pot, and I haven't seen a big difference with it, but my mom swears by hers!