The fact is, by delivering allergy medicines directly to the site — your nose — nasal allergy sprays help prevent and treat allergy symptoms with fewer side effects than pills. But some people like the convenience of taking a pill each day without having to stick something up their nose every time they need to breathe better.

Below are a few of the leading allergy options in both pill and spray form, prescription and non-prescription. We’ll start with the pills.

1. Benadryl. For symptoms of hay fever (itchy throat, watery eyes) and the common cold (runny nose, nasal congestion), Benadryl is a longtime favorite and now comes in several varieties and forms. Millions of people use it, even though it can cause drowsiness.
    
2. Allegra. Available with a prescription, Allegra handles many of the same symptoms of Benadryl, but is supposed to usually be non-drowsy and provide longer relief, unlike Benadryl (and others), which warn you about staying alert behind the wheel.
    
3. Zyrtec OTC. This is the same Zyrtec that was available only with a prescription until 2008, which makes one wonder how long it will be before every prescription allergy drug will be OTC. It’s supposed to be especially useful in treating indoor allergy problems (i.e., pet dander) and is supposed to begin working within an hour.

Then we have some leading sprays:

1. Flonase. Prescription Flonase is a corticosteroid nasal spray that treats indoor and outdoor allergies as well as year-round non-allergic nasal symptoms. While it is largely effective, some people complain about the taste of the medication.
    
2. Afrin. Over-the-counter Afrin is a decongestant nasal spray that promotes nasal drainage and relieves nasal stuffiness. While it is effective, many people complain of being “addicted” to Afrin, as they begin to find it physically difficult to breathe unless they use it.
    
3. NasalCrom. Over-the-counter NasalCrom is an anti-inflammatory sodium nasal spray that not only helps clear up nasal allergy problems, but may help prevent further symptoms. It is said to be effective for environmental (indoor) allergies as well as seasonal.

So, the final verdict about whether sprays or pills are better for allergies? Better is obviously in the itchy eyes of the beholder. There are a lot of good products out there, and what you use seems to depend not only on what your symptoms are, but on whether or not you like the convenience of a pill or you would prefer to put a spray up your nose when you need it. Whichever one you choose, we hope you breathe easier!
 

Forget the Big Words, My Eyes Burn

Tens of millions of people suffer from the misery of eye allergies. Eye allergies have technical medical explanations. An allergic reaction affecting the conjunctiva, which a clear layer of skin that overlies the eyes, is commonly referred to as allergic conjunctivitis. But you probably don’t care about what a doctor wants to call it. All you know is, your eyes itch and burn and water and don’t look too good, and you want to know what you can do about it.

Quite often, it’s impossible to avoid having an allergic reaction to something. Depending on where you live and the time of year, allergies can affect you seasonally or year-round, and sometimes you might be affected by allergies that don’t make any sense as they aren’t obvious. But allergens are everywhere to some extent, indoors or outdoors, no matter where you live.

Common allergens can include:

• Pollen
• Dust
• Grass
• Pet dander
• Weeds
• Perfumes
• Cosmetics
• Cigarette and other smoke
• Air pollution, such as car exhaust

Some people even believe that sunlight can cause them to sneeze, which in turn can cause eyes to water, since the membranes in the nose and the eyes are similar and react similarly to exposure to allergens. One possible solution is to stay indoors as much as possible during pollen season. But then, you’ll still have household dust and maybe pet dander to deal with. Patanol can help.

Patanol Can Ease Symptoms

Patanol is an antihistamine that provides rapid relief of itching, burning eyes. It can also actually prevent symptoms if used before an exposure to an allergen, that is, if you know you’re going to be going outside to mow the grass or trim dust-filled hedges. Patanol can also be used in children as young as three years old. Patanol is NOT recommended for the treatment of eye irritation due to contact lenses, and contacts should always be removed before use of Patanol and not replaced for at least 10 minutes.

Side Effects of Patanol Eye Drops

Side effects with Patanol are unusual and only occur in a small percentage of patients. But side effects of Patanol eye drops may include:

• blurred vision, burning or stinging
• foreign body sensation
• headache
• dry eye
• taste perversion
• sinusitis
• in rare cases, nausea

Burning and stinging are usually the most common effects, and normally go away after a few minutes, leading to quick relief and happier, better-looking eyes.

Patanol Is Available from AccessRx.com

Online pharmacy AccessRx.com is your source for Patanol antihistamine eye drops. Contact AccessRx.com today.

Symptoms
Both allergies and a cold can have similar symptoms, (like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes) but allergy symptoms occur simultaneously.  Cold symptoms usually happen one at a time.  Additionally, cold symptoms typically persist for 7-10 days, while allergy symptoms last until exposure to the allergy-causing agent is terminated.

Sneezing
Sneezing, especially when done multiple consecutive times, is more often a sign of allergies, and not of a cold.

Mucus
A clear, thin, and watery mucus discharge is usually a sign of allergies.  When a mucus discharge produces a thicker, yellow or greenish discharge, this is a sign of infection, pointing at a cold.

Presence of a Fever
Fevers are usually associated with colds, and not allergies.

Sore Throat
Allergies can occasionally cause a minor itchy or scratchy throat.  However, if actual pain is present in the throat, it is most likely a cold.

Itchy Eyes
Symptoms such as itchy, red, watery eyes are more commonly associated with allergies than with a cold.

The Time of Year
Colds are seen more in the winter.  Allergies are more prevalent in the spring and fall, due to plant pollination.

If allergies have been determined to be the culprit, there are many treatments available to deal with those miserable symptoms.  Medications can be acquired in pill, eye drop, and nasal spray form, providing a wide range of options to treat allergy symptoms.  The option to purchase allergy medications online makes it even easier to treat allergies.  Going beyond medication treatments, allergy tests can be given by doctors/allergists to determine the allergy-causing agent.  With the many options available to allergy sufferers, it is important to talk with a doctor to determine the best course of action to treat your allergies.

If I’m in the room and someone I know sneezes, I respond with the courteous, “Bless you.” But sneezes come in pairs, usually. That means the second sneeze is then followed by a second “Bless you.” Now, here’s where my little rule kicks in. Unless the sneezer in question is Jessica Alba minus the fork boyfriend who knocked her up, a third sneeze is followed by silence or a simple, “shut up!”

I know what you’re thinking. “What a jerk, right?” Maybe, but if a person isn’t going to be smart enough to use a medication like Zyrtec for their seasonal allergies, then why should I have sympathy for them?

Weeds, freshly cut grass (no, not the kind you’re thinking of), my cat Sterling – I’m virtually allergy-proof thanks to Zyrtec. But I’m not just talking about sneezing. I’m talking runny nose, itching and watering of my eyes, and other allergic symptoms.

Now just because I’ve had good luck with Zyrtec does not mean that it’s right for everyone. People with kidney or liver disease should let their doctors know, as a lower dosage could be best for them. Women who are pregnant should also take caution by talking to their doctor. And above all, people should definitely use caution when they are driving. If you work with heavy machinery, like a forklift, extreme caution should be used.

Not that I’m trying to sound like a commercial or anything, but I’d rather you know this stuff and take Zyrtec than me having to “Bless” people like I were the Pope or something. Maybe the one thing that bothers me more than constant sneezers are those who do it right here, in the library, the damn reference section, for goodness sakes.

In front of a computer is where they should be, logging onto the one web site where they could get the best deal on Zyrtec and many other prescription drugs – www.accessrx.com. That’s where I get my prescription, because I have the peace of mind that my order is safe and confidential. I also dig the fact that www.accessrx.com is open 365 days a year round the clock!

“A-choo!”

Man, here we go again. You better be Jessica Alba in that Fantastic Four suit!

“Bless you…”