Medically Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on April 24, 2018 From the WebMD Archives
One in 5 adults in the U.S. has nasal allergies, or allergic rhinitis. Yet as common as it is, too many people dismiss it.
“Allergic rhinitis is a trivialized disease,” says Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, an allergist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “Obviously, nobody dies from it. But it does cause a tremendous amount of sickness and suffering.”
All that sneezing, congestion, and tearing up takes a toll. Allergic rhinitis can cause missed workdays, and it can make it harder to do your usual schoolwork or job if you’re able to show up. Because of this, allergic rhinitis costs the U.S. billions of dollars every year.
Nasal allergies can also lead to other conditions such as sinus problems. But they don’t have to.
“Allergic rhinitis is a treatable problem,” Bernstein says, “and when people get diagnosed and treated properly, they do very well.” If your nasal allergies get the better of you, it’s time to get back in control.
Nasal Allergies and Sinus Problems
Allergy symptoms are bad enough on their own. But in many people, allergic rhinitis can cause or worsen other complications or conditions.
What’s the connection between allergies and sinus problems?
Sinuses are hollow pockets in the skull that are connected to the nasal passages. When allergies trigger swelling in the mucous membranes, the inflamed tissue can block off the sinuses. The sinuses can’t drain, trapping mucus and air inside. That leads to pain and pressure.
Heed Your Allergy Symptoms
Despite the misery of allergies and their complications, many people don’t take the symptoms very seriously.
They don’t realize the impact that their allergies have on their lives, especially when added up over years and decades, says Leonard Bielory, MD, an allergy and immunology professor at Rutgers University.
They get used to the congestion, chronic sinus problems, and mouth breathing. They get used to disturbed sleep and fatigue. After a while, they just don’t remember what life was like before allergies.
When symptoms get bad, they make do. They grab over-the-counter medicines at random at the drugstore. They make guesses at the cause of their allergies and try to avoid the things they think are their triggers. But they never actually get a diagnosis.
There’s a better way. Given the impact that nasal allergies can have on your life, you really need to get proper medical evaluation and treatment.
Allergic Rhinitis Treatments: Over-the-Counter Medicine
Do you have mild allergic rhinitis — or symptoms that only strike for a few weeks a year? Then over-the-counter (OTC) medicines may be enough. (OTC means you don’t need a prescription).
OTC treatments for allergic rhinitis include:
Steroid nasal sprays. These drugs work by reducing the swelling in the nasal passages. Doctors recommend this as your first choice for treatment because of effectiveness and simplicity of use. Many are available by prescription, and some — including budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone propionate (Flonase) and triamcinolone acetonide (Nasacort) — are available over the counter.
Antihistamines. These drugs work by blocking histamine, a chemical that causes many allergy symptoms. They help relieve itching and sneezing. Examples include cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and (Claritin). The antihistamines chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine are known to cause drowsiness. If your main problem is sneezing and itching, your doctor may recommend one of these, possibly also with other treatments, too.
Decongestants. Though antihistamines can control many allergy symptoms, they don’t relieve congestion. That’s where decongestants can come in. Some you take by mouth, and others are nasal sprays. They reduce swelling in the nasal passages, opening them up.
Don’t use nasal spray decongestants like naphazoline (), oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, Duramist), or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Rhinall, Sinex) for more than three days at a time. If you use them for too long, they can make your symptoms worse. Doctors call that a rebound effect.
Oral decongestants — those you take by mouth, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Sudogest) — aren’t OK for everyone. These medicines raise blood pressure, so you shouldn’t take them if you already have high blood pressure or certain heart-related conditions. Men who have trouble peeing because of an enlarged prostate may find that this problem gets worse if they take decongestants.
Other drugs. A few other over-the-counter drugs may help, too. Many others are available by prescription, as mentioned below. sodium (NasalCrom) is a nasal spray that can ease a runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and a stuffy nose due to allergies. Allergy eye drops with the ingredients naphazoline (Naphcon-A, AK-Con-A) and tetrahydrozoline (OptiClear) can relieve red eyes. Other eye drops with ketotifen (Zaditor, Alaway), an antihistamine, help relieve itchy eyes.
Prescription Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis
If over-the-counter medicines aren’t giving you relief, you might need prescription drugs. Prescription treatments for allergic rhinitis include:
Steroid nasal sprays. You already know about the OTC nasal sprays. There are also some versions that need a prescription. “The great thing about steroid sprays is that with just one medication, you can treat the congestion, the itchiness, and the sneezing,” says Corinna Bowser, MD, an allergist in Pennsylvania. Examples include beclomethasone dipropionate (Qnasl, Beconase AQ), budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone propionate (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and triamcinolone (Nasacort). Budenoside, fluticasone propionate, and triamcinolone are available without a prescription.
If you are concerned about taking a steroid, experts stress that these are very safe drugs. One key advantage of nasal sprays is that they focus the medication on the affected area — in your nose — and deliver with minimal risk instead of circulating it throughout your body.
Prescription antihistamines and decongestants. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription antihistamine pill like desloratadine (Clarinex) or levocetirizine (Xyzal). Some prescription antihistamines also contain a decongestant. Azelastine (Astelin) is a nasal spray antihistamine that’s often used alongside steroid sprays. Antihistamines also come as prescription eye drops.
Other medications. Montelukast (Singulair), a medication called a “leukotriene modifier,” helps relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. But it shouldn’t be the main form of treatment. Depending on your symptoms, prescription sprays and eye drops are also options. For severe flare-ups, oral steroids can help — prednisone is the standard.
Immunotherapy. If you’re wary of long-term drug use, allergy shots might be an option. “What you’re getting in the injection is a tiny amount of the allergen, and your immune system does the rest,” says Bowser. “It’s really the most natural treatment we have.” You can only get allergy shots for common allergy triggers, like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold. The results don’t remain forever. You’ll need to get the shots for at least 3-5 years to make the benefits last longest.
“Sublingual immunotherapy” doesn’t involve shots. It’s a pill you take daily for several months. You let the pill dissolve under your tongue. It’s not available for all allergies, and if you forget to take the pills every day when you’re supposed to, it might not work. In the U.S., these are the sublingual tablets that the FDA has approved: Oralair and Grastek for grass pollen, Ragwitek for ragweed pollen, and Odactra for dust mite allergies. You get the first dose in your doctor’s office, and then take the pills as prescribed at home.
Allergic Rhinitis Self-Care
Medications are often the key to handling nasal allergies and sinus problems. But there’s also a lot that you can do on your own. Here are some suggestions.
Nasal irrigation. If you haven’t tried it, squirting salt water in your nose might seem to be a bizarre treatment for nasal allergies. But it works. “Some trials found that nasal irrigation works as well as antihistamines in reducing symptoms,” says Bowser. There’s evidence that it relieves sinus symptoms, too.
The principle is simple. By washing out your nasal passages and sinuses with salt water, you clear out the allergens that are triggering your symptoms — along with bacteria and excess mucus. “It’s just like cleaning your furnace filter,” says Bernstein. “If you want good air quality in your home — or your lungs — the filters have to be clean.” If you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.
Experts say that simple neti pots or squeeze bottles seem to work as well as more expensive devices. Keep in mind that nasal irrigation (which flushes out the nasal passages) is different from spray bottles of saline (which merely moisten them).
Neti pots and other nasal irrigation devices are available in drugstores, supermarkets, and online. Basic neti pots cost about $10 to $15, while fancier irrigation devices can cost $100 or more.
Environmental control. If you can reduce your exposure to an allergen, you’ll help reduce your symptoms. So take some sensible precautions around the home. If you’re allergic to dust mites, buy a mattress cover to keep them out. If it’s pollen, keep the windows shut and use air conditioners to filter the air. If it’s cat dander, keep the animal out of your bedroom. Consider trying out a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. However, don’t break the bank trying to make your home allergen-free. It’s impossible. “Environmental control is a great first step,” says Bowser. “But in most cases it’s not enough to control symptoms.”
Moist air. If the air is dry and you’re having sinus problems — like pain and pressure — keep your nasal passages moist. Use a humidifier or vaporizer (and keep it clean). Other suggestions: Take long showers, apply warm compresses over your nose and mouth, and breathe in steam from a pot on the stove. Just make sure not to make your home too swampy. Dust mites, a common cause of allergies, thrive in humidity.
Protection. If you know you’re going to be exposed to an allergen, take some precautions. If you need to rake outside during pollen season, for example, wear a mask and goggles to protect yourself – or get someone else to do it.
Supplements. Some people want to treat their allergies without drugs and hope to find a “natural” cure instead. There is evidence that supplements such as butterbur and quercetin can help with allergy symptoms.
Fighting Allergic Rhinitis: Where to Start
If over-the-counter allergy treatments do the trick for you, great! If not, you should see your doctor.
You might assume that you have allergies when you really have nonallergic rhinitis, which is triggered by irritants like cigarette smoke or fumes instead of allergens. Or your symptoms could stem from colds, sinus problems, asthma, thyroid problems, medication side effects, or other issues. If allergies aren’t really your problem, those allergy drugs won’t do any good.
If your doctor does say you have allergic rhinitis, it’s a good idea to find the cause of your allergies. The only way to do that is to get allergy testing.
“Some people with allergic rhinitis spend a lot of time and money focusing on the wrong thing,” says Hugh H. Windom, MD, associate clinical professor of allergy and immunology at the University of South Florida.
“They assume that they’re allergic to dust mites, so they spend thousands renovating their homes, pulling up carpets, and cleaning air ducts. But it turns out to be the oak tree outside the bedroom window.”
So get allergy testing before you do anything drastic. You don’t want to pry a beloved kitty out of your tearful child’s arms, find it a new home, and then discover that you were never allergic to cats in the first place.
