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General: Allergy treatment depends on the type of allergy and severity of symptoms. Commonly used allergy medications include antihistamines, nasal sprays, decongestants, leukotriene inhibitors and immunotherapy (allergy shots). Short-acting antihistamines: Short-acting antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) have been used to relieve mild to moderate allergy symptoms. Most short-acting antihistamines are available over-the-counter. These medications often cause drowsiness, and they have shown to blunt learning in children (even in the absence of drowsiness). However, loratadine (Claritin®), an over-the-counter medication, does not cause drowsiness or affect learning in children. Patients should consult their healthcare providers to determine whether these medications are safe for children. Longer-acting antihistamines: Longer-acting antihistamines like fexofenadine (Allegra®) or cetirizine (Zyrtec®) are available by prescription for mild to moderate allergy symptoms. They cause less drowsiness than short-acting antihistamines, and they are equally effective. These medications do not usually interfere with learning. Patients should consult their healthcare providers to determine whether these medications are safe for children. Nasal corticosteroid sprays: Nasal corticosteroid sprays can effectively relieve allergy symptoms in patients who are not responding to antihistamines. Commonly prescribed corticosteroid sprays include fluticasone (Flonase®), mometasone (Nasonex®) and triamcinolone (Nasacort ®). Decongestants: Decongestants may help relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion (stuffy nose). These drugs shrink the tissues and blood vessels in the eyes and nose that swell in response to contact with an allergen. Nasal decongestant sprays like oxymetazoline (Afrin®) should not be used more than twice daily for three consecutive days because rebound nasal congestion may result. Decongestants in pill form do not cause this effect. Cromolyn sodium: Cromolyn sodium is available as a nasal spray (Nasalcro®) for treating hay fever. Eye drop versions of cromolyn sodium are also available for itchy, bloodshot eyes. Leukotriene inhibitors: Leukotriene inhibitors like montelukast (Singulair®) have been used to control allergic asthma and to help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy (allergy shots): Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is often used to treat patients who suffer from severe allergies, or for those who experience allergy symptoms more than three months a year. Allergen immunotherapy involves injecting increasing amounts of an allergen to a patient over several months.
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