Over the Counter Allergy Meds

I use a neti pot. It's the absolute best thing I've ever tried, and it works better than any allergy meds I've had. It's great for colds too!

Claritin. It doesn't make you drowsy, but you need to take it for a few days to really let it build up in your system and be most effective.

Also, I highly recommend getting an air purifier for your bedroom. My son has seasonal allergies and it works so well I've been able to take him off OTC meds almost completely.

Benadryl makes me feel weird. I do best with Allegra, Zyretec and Claritin. Each season I seem to have to switch it up to find which one works with the allergy du jour. This year, Allegra's the winner for me. No side effects for me.

I also like Claritin and Zyrtec. Benadryl will knock me out for 2 days, seriously, it's ugly! ;)

"All" allergy meds require you to go to bed and go to sleep after taking them. Some may say they are non drowsy but they can still make you sleepy. That is what they do. SO, if you are really having allergies like runny eyes, itchy hives, allergic reactions to something like laundry soap or some other irritation from cleaning, clear runny nose, or things like that they you need to take 1/2 dose of benadryl and see if it stops the symptoms. If it does you do not need to take more.

If the symptoms are not what is listed above the Benadryl is NOT the med you need.

If you have a stuffy nose and can't breath then you need real sudafed, not the fake stuff.

If you have cloudy or colored snot you need to make it runny so it will drain out of your sinus cavity and go away. Sudafed.

If it is infected then you need to get antibiotics and Sudafed.

If you have a cough that is dry and hacking, that is due to the Benadryl, it dries the mucus up and makes it impossible to cough up. You need an Expectorant like plain Tussin from Walmart or plain Mucinex. The goo needs to be moist to get out of the lungs. Breathing treatments also help with this, standing in a hot shower and letting the steam moisten the goo in the lungs and sinus' is good for both of those area's too.

If you have a loose, runny cough that is keeping you away and hurting your throat you need to get a prescription for Teslon Pearls or some med with codeine in it. They both relax the tissue/muscles in the throat and lungs to minimize the coughing reflex. That stops the coughing but the goo still needs to be moist so it can drain into the stomach.

Benadryl dries you out, should put you to sleep, and is for severe allergies only.

Hi Jane,

I was able to get rid of my allergies by detoxing my home, my body and avoiding processed and fast foods. (I can explain further if you want to know how I did it and how inexpensive it was.) They were BAD! My husband used to bring me a warm, wet compress in the morning just to get my gooey eyes open. Now we have an inside dog! Yea! My kids are happy....

When I do have an irritation that might be an allergic reaction or even a cold, our family uses elderberry extract. You can get it at the health store and it's great for the respiratory system, is simply food, and tastes good in liquid form. (My kids used to tell people that their mom used the same medicine that Mary Poppins gave Jane and Michael...) Elderberry wine (not elderberry flavored wine that Manischewitz makes) will even knock out the flu.

Benydryl is not only dangerous but is a mood alterer. We do keep it in the house for bee stings and such but I cring if I have to reach for it!

Hope this helps!

M.

Claritin
Allegra
Zyrtec

Yes, Benedryl, causes drowsiness.
So try something else.

Each allergy med, is different for everyone.
So find one you like and works for you.

I personally do not like Zyrtec. It makes me tired and irritable.
I use Claritin. Or Allegra.
But I know some people who like Zyrtec.

Also a good idea is: to get an air purifier for your home or your room.
This will cut down on dust/allergens in your home.

I usually prefer Alka-Seltzer Allergy (the pills, not the fizzy drink), but since I found out I'm pregnant, I'm stuck with Tylenol Sinus.

Most allergy meds make me feel like a zombie. I just tried the Neti-Pot for the first time today and I am already noticing a difference! My sinuses do not itch or burn and it was easier to use than I feared it would be. Try it, I have had people telling me to do it for the longest time and I am so glad I finally did! I can breath again! :)

My doctor recommended Claritin-D or Allegra-D, and benedryl at night if I have trouble sleeping; however, I don't wake up "hung over" in the morning when on benedryl. I haven't used Allegra-D yet because I have good luck with the Claritin-D. My doctor's biggest point was to make sure you get the Decongestion formula, not the regular. Also, he recommended Mucinex-D to get rid of the mucus buildup.