Who doesn’t love a good summer allergy? There’s nothing better than heat, humidity, and perpetual sneezing and itching to make your summer memorable.
What causes summer allergies? We know that pollen in the air makes some people sneeze, but why? Unfortunately, not all immune systems are created equal. Some are built to be more sensitive than others, which is why some immune systems see all of the pollen in the air as germy invaders ready to wreak havoc on the body. So, rather than politely telling the pollen that this is a body, not a plant that needs to be fertilized, the immune system sets up an all hands on deck alert, attacking the pollens and releasing histamines, which trigger the itchy eyes, sneezing/running nose and sinus problems that are so well-known to allergy sufferers.
One of the best things about pollen is the fact that it can travel a long way and still drive your immune system crazy. That means that even if you don’t live in an area with a lot of allergens (ragweed, tumbleweed, pigweed . . .) you can still suffer from allergies when the pollen migrates to your area.
So what are some of your best treatment options if you’re just praying for the cold weather to come sweeping in again?
Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Claritin Childrens Allergy are probably your first option. Most over-the-counter allergy meds now come in fairly reliable non-drowsy formulas, especially since more antihistamines that were prescription are now available OTC. Antihistamines, logically, block the formation of the histamines that cause allergy symptoms. (If you can’t train the immune system to stop attacking the pollen, you can at least take out the arsenal, right?)
Decongestants help to clear out the mucus in the sinuses, which can relieve swelling and other miserable symptoms of allergies.This can include things like Mucinex, as well as various nasal sprays.
For really severe allergies, some sufferers get allergy shots. They help your body build up a tolerance to the allergen until it no longer reacts to it. Unfortunately, this doesn’t last forever, but it can be a more effective, longer-lasting cure than some allergy medications.
Megan works in the marketing division of Overstock Drugstore. She enjoys researching and writing articles because it helps her to understand the people and products her company works with a little better.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/summer-allergies-causes-and-treatments-973370.html
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