Mar 25, 2008 9:27 pm US/Eastern
Doctor: OTC Meds Effective In Treating Allergies
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Allergy season is here but this year children might be able to get relief from some new over-the-counter medications.
"People who have experiences it in previous seasons know to get ready," Allergist for Children's Hospital David Nash said. "We are in the pollen season, most people start to experience symptoms by the end of March."
This time of year, telling allergies apart from colds can be challenging.
"Allergies tend to respond pretty quickly to meds, certainly antihistamines. So if you take an antihistamine and you're better, in even a couple of hours, suggests allergies more than a cold virus."
These days to fight allergies, people have more over-the-counter choices than ever.
The latest addition is the antihistamine Zyrtec and it's generic.
"It went over the counter in January, it's once a day, it's similar to a medicine that has been over-the-counter for a few years called Claritin," Nash said. "To some extent, we've doubled our arsenal of once a day medicines."
Both used to be by prescription only. They work within an hour, and can be taken as needed.
Decongestants and nasal saline spray are other no-prescription options, but Dr. Nash's favorite is the antihistamines.
"I think they're the first line. I think the majority of patients do well on those," Nash said. "If you don't do well on those, my second choice is usually a prescription nasal steroid."
And will this year be the worst year ever?
"Every year, the allergist says it's the worst year. Perhaps this will be a bad year. That's the theory because of the mild winter," Nash said.
With mild winters, the pollen count is slightly higher.
Pollen in the air can be measure at the beginning of March, typically tree pollen. This will continue to be active through April and through most of May.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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