Best Medications to Relieve an Itchy Nose

Allergy season, which can start as early as February and last until early summer, can be very rough for people allergic to tree pollen. When people talk about allergies, oftentimes, it is the seasonal allergy that they’re talking about. However, there are other environmental allergens that exist year-round, known as “perennial allergies,” which affect people at any time of the year. Perennial allergies are caused by pet hair or dander, dust mites, mold, and cockroaches. Several allergy medications are available to treat pesky allergy symptoms, including nasal symptoms such as an itchy or runny nose, nasal congestion, and other symptoms. These allergy medications can be used for both seasonal and perennial allergies. If you suffer from indoor and outdoor allergies, please continue reading to learn about some of the most effective medications available to treat allergy symptoms.

What causes allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for hay fever, also known as nasal allergies. There are two forms of allergic rhinitis: seasonal and perennial. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction caused by allergens which are the substances you’re allergic to. As mentioned above, allergens can be seasonal with tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed, or they can cause symptoms all year round, such as in the cases of dust mites, mold, and pet allergies. Therefore, perennial allergies occur year-round and include pet allergies and mold allergies. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is common in the spring, summer, and early fall when pollen counts are high.

When you come in contact with an allergen by breathing it in through your nose or mouth, your immune system recognizes it as an intruder; this causes your body to release a host of natural chemicals such as histamines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes that causes the hallmark of symptoms of allergic rhinitis including itchy, watery eyes, runny, itchy nose, coughing, and sneezing.

What are allergy symptoms?

Common allergy symptoms include runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes, nose, and throat, nasal and sinus congestion, sinus pressure, postnasal drip, throat irritation, and itchy skin. Allergy medicines are available for treating allergic rhinitis or hay fever symptoms and provide temporary relief from these allergy symptoms. Interestingly, even though allergic rhinitis is often referred to as hay fever, it is not caused by hay, and fever is not one of the symptoms.

Which medications are used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies?

The following are some popular OTC allergy medications used to treat allergies.

Antihistamines

This type of allergy medication can alleviate symptoms by blocking the action of histamine, a natural chemical that causes symptoms of both perennial and seasonal allergies.

Some antihistamines are available over the counter, while others are by prescription only. These drugs come in the form of oral tablets, liquids, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Common side effects of antihistamines include drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating.

Older (first-generation) antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), promethazine (Phenergan), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor Trimeton) are more sedating than the newer generation. Being known for causing drowsiness and sleepiness, these older agents are not preferred unless allergy symptoms also cause sleeping problems. In that case, taking an older antihistamine at bedtime can be beneficial.

Older antihistamines also have “drying effects” due to their anticholinergic properties. As a result, they are effective at alleviating post-nasal drip. However, the downside is that they can cause dry mouth, dry eyes, and constipation.

Newer oral antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy) are less likely to cause drowsiness and are preferred for treating allergies.

Antihistamine nasal sprays are particularly useful in providing relief from nasal allergies. Examples include olopatadine (Patanase) and azelastine (Astepro, Astelin).

Decongestants

These medications provide fast and short-term relief from nasal and sinus congestion caused by nasal swelling from allergic rhinitis. They are available as OTC allergy medicines in oral tablets, liquids, and nasal sprays. Possible side effects of decongestants include headache, irritability, sleep difficulties, and high blood pressure. Nasal decongestants should be used with caution, as prolonged use can cause rebound congestion.

Examples of decongestants include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Combination antihistamine and decongestant products like Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Clarinex-D, and Zyrtec-D are also available behind the pharmacy counter. Oral decongestants with “-D” in their names indicate that they contain pseudoephedrine as one of the active ingredients. You must be at least 18 years old and provide a photo ID since pseudoephedrine can be manufactured into methamphetamine. You can also use a decongestant nasal spray like oxymetazoline (Afrin) for up to 3 days for symptom relief.

Corticosteroids

Steroid nasal sprays help to relieve symptoms of nasal allergies by suppressing your body’s inflammatory reaction. Examples of steroid nasal sprays include fluticasone propionate (Flonase Allergy Relief), fluticasone furoate (Flonase Sensimist), budesonide (Rhinocort), triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour), and mometasone (Nasonex). Common side effects of these nasal sprays include nasal irritation, unpleasant taste, and nosebleeds.

Corticosteroid inhalers that are used to treat asthma can also be used to treat nasal allergies. Additionally, steroid medicines are available as eye drops, oral tablets, liquids, and topical products to counter allergy symptoms.

Mast Cell Stabilizers

These are drugs that block the release of chemicals by the immune system that trigger allergic symptoms. They are used when antihistamines are not effective. Examples include cromolyn (Nasalcrom) nasal spray and prescription eye drops (Opticrom, Crolom).

Leukotriene Inhibitors

This group of medications blocks chemicals called leukotrienes which cause allergy symptoms. One oral leukotriene inhibitor, montelukast (Singulair), is approved to treat nasal allergies and asthma.

Allergy Shots

If prescription and OTC allergy medications do not provide relief and you have severe allergies, your healthcare provider may recommend immunotherapy or allergy shots. This involves getting a series of injections containing small doses of allergens. The goal is to slowly train your immune system to stop reacting to these allergens and causing severe symptoms.

Other medications like sublingual immunotherapy (tablets you place under your tongue) are also available. They may relieve symptoms of nasal allergies like runny nose and nasal congestion. Sublingual immunotherapy tablets contain extracts of dust mites or different pollens and grasses.

Epinephrine Shots

Epinephrine shots, for example, EpiPen, are delivered through an auto-injector (self-injecting needle and syringe). They are used to treat severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis which is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction causing hives, swelling of the tongue and throat, wheezing, and shortness of breath. An anaphylactic allergic reaction can occur in response to certain foods like peanuts or insect stings like wasps and bees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take Benadryl for itchy nose?

You can take Benadryl Allergy (diphenhydramine) to relieve itchy nose and throat, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. However, keep in mind that this medication can make you drowsy. There are other non-drowsy antihistamines available. Available both over-the-counter and prescription, antihistamine nasal sprays like azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and prescription-only olopatadine (Patanase) can relieve sneezing, itching, and other nasal allergy symptoms without sedating effects.

Does Claritin stop itchy nose?

Yes, Claritin (loratadine) is a newer type of antihistamine that can provide relief from symptoms of seasonal allergies or hay fever, such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose, without causing drowsiness.

Is Claritin or Zyrtec better for allergies?

Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are both effective allergy medications for perennial and seasonal allergies. One allergy medication may work better for you than another. It may take some trial and error for you to find the medicine that suppresses your allergic response the best.

Which antihistamine is best for itchy nose?

Antihistamine nasal sprays are best for treating nasal symptoms like itchy or runny nose, sneezing, nasal allergy congestion, nasal obstruction, sinus congestion, and postnasal drip. Nasal decongestant sprays and nasal steroid sprays are also good options.

Wrapping up

Allergy medications can quickly and effectively provide relief from perennial and seasonal allergies (hay fever). To use these medications safely, make sure you read the package instructions carefully and use OTC allergy medications exactly as indicated. If you’re taking prescription medications for seasonal allergies, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take the medicines exactly as prescribed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking other medications to prevent harmful drug interactions and undesirable adverse effects.

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