Does Allegra Help With Asthma

What Causes Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis occurs when your bodys immune system reacts to an irritant in the air. The irritants are so tiny that you can easily inhale them through your nose or mouth.

Allergens are harmless to most people. But if you have hay fever, your immune system thinks the allergen is intruding. The immune system tries to protect your body by releasing natural chemicals into your bloodstream. The main chemical is called histamine. It causes mucous membranes in the nose, eyes and throat to become inflamed and itchy as they work to eject the allergen.

Seasonal and perennial allergies can result from many allergens, including:

• Dust mites that live in carpets, drapes, bedding and furniture.
• Pollen from trees, grass and weeds.
• Pet dander .
• Mold spores.
• Cockroaches, including their saliva and waste.

Food allergies can also cause inflammation in the nose and throat. If you think youre having an allergic reaction to something you ate, get medical help right away. Food allergies can be life-threatening.

Best Humidifiers For Asthma In 2021

As a respiratory disease, asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the lungs airways, which are called bronchial tubes. Unlike acute diseases that affect the lungs, asthma is a chronic condition therefore, those who have it usually experience symptoms off and on throughout their entire life. In rare cases, children can grow out of asthma when they become adults, and some people can go for years without experiencing any asthma attacks.

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Unfortunately, asthma is incurable, but this disease can be managed with medication and by avoiding triggers. Many people also successfully alleviate the severity of their asthma symptoms by incorporating homeopathic solutions into their treatment plan, such as using a humidifier at home.

Can I Prevent Hay Fever

There is no way to prevent hay fever, but lifestyle changes can help you live with allergies. You can relieve hay fever symptoms by avoiding irritants as much as possible. To reduce symptoms, you should:

• Avoid touching your face and rubbing your eyes or nose.
• Close windows in your home and car during the spring, summer and early fall when pollen counts are higher.
• Enclose pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust mite covers.
• Keep pets off couches and beds, and close doors to bedrooms you dont want them to enter.
• Use filters in your vacuum cleaner and air conditioner to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
• Wash your hands often, especially after playing with pets.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen when youre outside. Change your clothes as soon as you come indoors.

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What Are The Symptoms

Your symptoms depend on how youâre exposed — through the air, your skin, food, or through an insect sting.

If youâve got a nasal allergy , common symptoms include:

• Itchy, runny nose
• Feeling tired or ill

Common symptoms of a skin allergy include rashes and hives . Your skin may be red, itchy, or swollen.

If an insect sting was the trigger, youâll have swelling, redness, and pain where it stung you.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most go away shortly after the exposure stops.

Mild ones may be almost unnoticeable. You might just feel a little âoff.â

Moderate symptoms can make you feel ill, as if youâve got a cold or even the flu.

Severe allergic reactions are extreme.

Zyrtec Can Also Treat Feline Allergic Asthma

According to AmericanVeterinarian, Allergic asthma is prevalent in cats, but researchers cant explain why.

Symptoms range from sneezing, wheezing, and coughing, and oftentimes, a cat experiences all three. What they do know is early and constant treatment allow cats to live nearly symptom-free lives.

Cats can have this along with other conditions, especially a cold, so you should have your kitty checked by a vet to rule it out if you suspect allergies.

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Some Side Effects Can Be Serious If You Experience Any Of These Symptoms Or Those Listed In The Important Warning Section Or The Special Precautions Section Call Your Doctor Immediately Or Get Emergency Medical Treatment:

• fever, muscle aches, rash, and swollen glands within 1 to 5 days after receiving a dose of omalizumab injection
• shortness of breath
• skin sores
• severe pain, numbness, and tingling in your hands and feet

Some people who received omalizumab injection have had chest pain, heart attacks, blood clots in the lungs or legs, temporary symptoms of weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, and changes in vision. There is not enough information to determine whether these symptoms are caused by omalizumab injection.

Omalizumab injection may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. There is not enough information to determine whether these cancers are caused by omalizumab injection.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.

Omalizumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .

Is There Anyone Who Should Not Take Zyrtec

Zyrtec is safe for most people, but there are some populations that should stay away from it. Children under 2, anyone with a history of allergic reaction to Zyrtec or hydroxyzine/piperazine derivatives, and people with severe renal impairment are all people who probably shouldnt take Zyrtec, says Dr. Patel. For people with these conditions, Zyrtec can cause adverse health effects.

If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, Dr. Patel recommends speaking to your doctor before using it, since some women have experienced side effects. Dr. Eitches suggests taking it with caution if youre on other medications or take some kind of sleeping aid to help you go to bed.

When in doubt, its best to go to your doctor with any questions before you take Zyrtec as an allergy medicine. All things considered though, youre likely to be fine when using Zyrtec, as side effects arent terribly common, Boomershine notes. Still, its best to be aware of potential Zyrtec side effectsespecially if youre planning on popping the stuff on the reg over the next few months.

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Will A Humidifier Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Probably, but not absolutely. If your home is already right about in the ideal humidity range than introducing more humidity via a whole-home system can actually hurt rather than help. But that is a far less common issue than dry air. If your home is too dry, as most Orlando homes are, then yes, a humidifier could be just what youre looking for!

• Dry skin and nasal passage irritation
• Heaviness in the air and shortness of breath
• Allergy triggers from dust and pollen

How Do I Know Which Antihistamine To Take

Because there are so many antihistamine products, both over-the-counter and prescription, and because they are used to treat so many different conditions, you may need help figuring out which medication to take. For minor ailments, you can probably take over-the-counter products. You can read the package labeling and match your symptoms to the labeled symptoms. Also, never hesitate to ask the pharmacist. They are highly schooled in the actions and effects and side effects of drugs. You may need to try different antihistamines to find the best medication to manage your symptoms.

If you need a prescription antihistamine, you and your healthcare provider will work together to figure out what medication will be best for you. Many drugs interact with antihistamines, so your healthcare provider will want to know what medical conditions you have and medications you are currently taking. They will also want to know if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Some antihistamines are not recommended in pregnancy because they may cause birth defects in very high doses. Antihistamines can pass into breast milk, so you should consult with your healthcare provider before using antihistamines if you are breastfeeding.

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What Can You Do About Drowsiness From Allergy Medicines

Some antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness than others. Reactions vary considerably from one person to another. What relieves your symptoms without making you sleepy may be different from what works for someone else.

When you find one that works for you, stick with it check chemical ingredients and dosages before changing brands or generics. On the other hand, if one doesnt work for you, try another type.

First-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine usually cause drowsiness because they are less likely to affect the histamine produced in the brain or have other unwanted effects in the brain.

Newer, second-generation antihistamines such as cetirizine , fexofenadine and loratadine marketed as nonsedating usually cause less drowsiness. An added benefit is that second-generation antihistamines last longer than Benadryl. Allegra is generally the least sedating.

Nasal spray antihistamines are also somewhat less likely to make you sleepy, since they target nasal passages directly rather than sending medicine throughout your body in the bloodstream. These are available only by prescription.

Regular use of an intranasal corticosteroid is not only safe but also an effective way to reduce use of antihistamines. They take a few days to start working, so you need to be patient. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using an antihistamine with an intranasal corticosteroid the first few days. Some intranasal corticosteroids are available over-the-counter.

What Are Cetirizine And Loratadine

Cetirizine is a non-sedating . It is similar to other second-generation antihistamines including loratadine , and . Histamine is a chemical responsible for many of the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions such as swelling of the lining of the nose, sneezing, and eyes. Certirizine blocks one type of receptor for histamine and prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine. Unlike first generation antihistamines, cetirizine and other second-generation antihistamines do not readily enter the brain from the blood so they cause less drowsiness though cetirizine may cause more drowsiness than other second-generation antihistamines.

Loratadine is a long-acting, non-sedating antihistamine used to treat . Loratadine blocks one type of histamine receptor and thus prevents activation of cells with H1 receptors by histamine. Unlike some antihistamines, loratadine does not enter the brain from the blood and does not cause drowsiness when taken at recommended doses.

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How Is Asthma Treated

If you or a loved one has asthma, we can put together a comprehensive plan to treat it. This plan can address the particular allergens that affect you. Also, the frequency and severity of your symptoms will be factored into your plan.

Its common for an inhaler to be used in an asthma treatment plan. Its a portable device that can deliver a premeasured dose of asthma medicine into a patients lungs. Some inhalers have corticosteroids that can control swelling and irritation in the airway, while other inhalers have fast-acting drugs like bronchodilators which can help open up the airway quickly when necessary. A combination of medicines is possible. Inhalers are very effective for many patients, not just for seasonal use, but for daily use.

For some patients, a nebulizer can help, while for others, an oral medicine will help. Different medicines have different purposes, like reducing inflammation or helping to open up the airway, and its also possible to get an oral corticosteroid. Sometimes with more severe cases of asthma, a patient will benefit greatly from injections of a biologic medication that can reduce the patients sensitivity to allergens.

Some or many of the aforementioned treatments will be factored into your treatment plan with us at Allergy & Asthma Center. Together in your plan, the treatments can reduce or even relieve your symptoms so you can live the kind of life youve been missing.

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How Do You Combat Asthma

The first step in combating asthma is to visit your doctor and develop a course of treatment that works for you. Your doctor can help determine what makes your asthma worse, and what medicines and treatment options are best for you. You will likely need medication for your asthma that your doctor prescribes.

In addition to medication, you can do your part to avoid known allergens and triggers that cause you to have asthma attacks, and you can create an environment at home that promotes breathing easier. One way to do this is by using a humidifier.

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Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Allegra Vs Claritin

Allegra and Claritin are not generally covered by insurance. Both drugs are over-the-counter medications that can be purchased without a prescription. However, if deemed medically necessary, Medicaid may cover generic OTC drugs depending on your stateâs program.

Allegra can be purchased for an average cost of $20 for a 30 tablet package. With a SingleCare Allegra coupon, you can purchase a 30 tablet package at a lower price of $10.49.

Claritin has an average retail cost of $12.99 per 10 tablet packages. With a SingleCare Claritin coupon, you may only have to pay $3.99 for the same supply of Claritin.

What Are The Main Differences Between Allegra Vs Claritin

Allegra is the brand name for fexofenadine hydrochloride. It is available in different dosage forms such as an oral tablet, oral capsule, orally disintegrating tablet , and oral suspension. It is generally recommended to treat those who are 12 years and older. However, the ODT form can be used in those aged 6 years and older and the suspension can be administered to children aged 2 years and older.

Claritin is also known by its generic name loratadine. It is available in an oral tablet, oral capsule, and ODT form to treat those who are 6 years and older. It can also be taken as a chewable tablet or oral solution in children aged 2 years and older. Whereas the dose of Allegra may need to be adjusted in people with renal problems, Claritin may need to be adjusted in people with renal and/or liver problems.

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When To Take It

Try to take fexofenadine tablets at about the same time every day. Choose a time that is easy to remember.

You may only need to take fexofenadine on a day you have symptoms, such as when you’ve been exposed to something you’re allergic to, like animal hair.

Or you may need to take it regularly to prevent symptoms, such as to stop hay fever during spring and summer.

Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier

If you are on the lookout for a humidifier that can output a lot of mist, then the Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier is a winner.

The 1.5-gallon storage tank could run up to fifty hours on a very low setting, but due to the high-volume output, you will likely be refilling the unit twice daily if you intend to use it on the highest setting.

Refilling is relatively mess-free and is pretty easily done without splashing water however, the tank is large and, therefore, heavy when filled. There is no handle, so it can be challenging to move from your sink to the central unit.

The large tank means everlasting mist

Not needing any filters is a significant bonus as finding replacement parts for a humidifier can become near impossible as the years go by.

The tray for adding essential oils is also welcomed for making your rooms smell lovely and assisting with destressing and getting a peaceful night of sleep.

Our Verdict

If you have a particularly dry house with very low humidity, then the Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier might be the answer to your problems.

Sure, there is a sizeable 1.5-gallon water tank, but even more important is the serious amount of misting output that this machine is capable of handling.

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Question: My Doctor Wants Me To Take A Biologic To Treat My Severe Asthma It Comes In A Syringe That I Will Have To Use To Inject Myself At Home Every Few Weeks How Can I Mentally Prepare To Give Myself An Injection

Dr. James: Over the past several years, several injectable biologic asthma treatments have become available. These are shots or infusions given every few weeks for ongoing control of asthma symptoms that have not been well-controlled by other traditional asthma therapies. These can be given in your doctors office or at home using an auto-injector device with a needle, depending on the type of treatment.

Here are some tips to mentally prepare you for these injections: