Many people suffer from allergies after being exposed to normally harmless allergens. The most common is hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen. People with hay fever can suffer from debilitating symptoms such as a runny nose, itching, sneezing or sinus problems for much of the spring and summer months when the pollen count is at its highest. Other key allergens include dust, nuts, and pet dander.
When someone is allergic to something, the body produces a chemical called histamine. This is produced by the immune system, which mistakenly believes that exposure is going to cause harm to the body. In turn, the released histamine binds to specific receptor cells within the body and causes symptoms such as congestion, sinus pressure, watery eyes, itchiness, and rashes. Extreme allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis, which is a serious and life-threatening reaction that can cause blocked airways and even death.
What is anti-allergy medication?
Anti-allergy medications are taken to block the release of the chemical histamine or minimise its effects on certain cell receptors. This prevents or minimises the symptoms of a reaction.
Tablet forms are available, together with anti-allergy nasal sprays, which combat specific symptoms such as congestion and nasal drip. Antihistamines are a group of medications that can be used to alleviate symptoms of many allergies, including pollen, dust, insect bites and pet dander.
Many anti-allergy medications are now available over the counter (OTC) and include specific groups of medications with active ingredients such as Cetirizine, Fexofenadine and Loratadine. Anti-allergies are also available in convenient chewable tablets for those who have difficulty swallowing medication or for children where swallowing tablets could be a safety hazard.
What happens if you take anti-allergy?
Antihistamines reduce the effect of the chemical histamine on cell receptors within the body. Taking anti-allergy medications allows you to go about your normal life, with minimal impact from your allergy symptoms. Taken before exposure, they block the production of the chemical histamine, ensuring that an allergic reaction does not take place. If they are taken after exposure, they reduce the severity of allergic symptoms.
Anti-allergy medication can, therefore, be used as a preventative treatment rather than merely reactive. By taking medication before symptoms start, throughout allergy season, you can prevent the body from producing the chemical histamine, stopping the reaction before you even experience symptoms. In practice, many people take anti-allergies on a daily basis.
This is particularly helpful for hay fever sufferers, who find that taking a daily anti-allergy from April through to August, when the pollen count is at its highest, creates a build-up of anti-histamine in the system and pre-empts the worst of the symptoms during peak season.
Allergies can also be responsible for the disruption of a healthy sleep pattern. Many people find that their symptoms are at their peak at a time which can disrupt sleep. By taking anti-allergies before bed, the symptoms can be managed, leading to a better night’s rest.
Some anti-allergies are combined with an over-the-counter drug called Pseudoephedrine. This is a decongestant that reduces inflammation by constricting the small blood vessels of the nasal passage. This ingredient is effective in the fast relief of blocked noses and sinuses, whilst the antihistamine gets to work on cell receptors.
How long does it take for anti-allergy tablets to work?
When taken as a preventative treatment, anti-allergy medications can mean that for some, unpleasant symptoms never begin or become a problem. Taking a pre-emptive anti-allergy for hay fever should commence before the start of high pollen season and continue until its end for the most effective results.
Anti-allergies can start to work in as little as 30 minutes, inhibiting the body’s production of histamine.
They can reach their peak effectiveness within 2 hours and the effects can last between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the brand and active ingredients. Some anti-allergy medication is designed with extended-release technology to ensure that they work effectively and provide allergy relief for a full 12-24 hour period.
There is a huge range of anti-allergy products available to suit your specific lifestyle and symptoms. With careful planning of dosage, the effects of allergies can be kept to a minimum, ensuring as little disruption to your day-to-day life as possible.