Taking allergy medication without seeing results can be frustrating. Already you’re suffering with watery eyes, constant sneezing, and a nose that won’t stop running. Now, instead of experiencing relief, you’re forced to suffer through the side effects of allergy meds without feeling the benefits. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why your allergy medications might not be working.
Taking Meds Too Late in the Season – Spring sprung before you knew it and instead of getting a jump on all those pollen spores and over-enthusiastic histamines, you’re now struggling to calm them all down. If possible, start taking your anti-histamines 2-4 weeks before peak pollen season for your specific allergies. This gives the medication time to build up in your system. That way, when the pollen triggers your histamine reaction, the anti-histamines in your body will be ready. Waiting too late is like letting those histamines get ambushed and then sending in reinforcements.
Improper Use of Nasal Sprays – Using decongestant nasal spray too often can actually cause more congestion than it relieves. Try to stick to only 3-5 days of a decongestant nasal spray at one time. Steroid sprays, like Flonase, can be used daily on a long term basis. However, if you start to feel a burning in your nose after use it’s best to cut back if you can.
For any nasal spray, follow these steps for best results:
- Prime the spray first to ensure you get a proper spray yourself.
- Tilt your head slightly forward.
- Use your opposite hand (right hand for left nostril, left hand for right) and aim toward the outer wall of your nostril, toward your eye.
- Close your other nostril with your finger and then spray and breathe. Don’t inhale too sharply; this can cause the spray to go into the back of your throat. It doesn’t taste great!
Are you Treating the Right Trigger? The type of allergies that you have will determine the best type of treatment. If you’re treating pollen allergies but actually have an allergen to dust mites or pets, you may not be using the right treatment. If you’re unsure what you’re allergic to, a diagnostic allergy test, performed in our office, can help you find out. Once we understand what you’re allergic to we can get you on a path to healing!