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Some medications for allergic rhinitis, especially antiallergic ones, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids, help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as stuffy or runny nose, itchy nose and eyes, or constant sneezing, and can be used in the form of sprays, drops or tablets.
These remedies should be used with the indication of the general practitioner or allergist who can indicate the best treatment individually, according to age, causes of rhinitis and severity of symptoms. See the main causes of allergic rhinitis.
In addition to rhinitis remedies, the treatment can also be supplemented with home remedies, such as inhaling eucalyptus essential oil or taking ginger and garlic tea, for example, to help relieve symptoms more quickly.
1. Saline solutions
Saline solutions in drops or sprays contain 0.9% sodium chloride, a type of s alt, and sterile water, which helps with nasal hygiene, helping to eliminate irritating substances and allergens. In addition, they also help to fluidify nasal secretion, relieving the feeling of a blocked and runny nose.
Some examples of saline solutions that can be used for nasal washing are Salsep spray, Rinosoro, Sorine SSP or Maresis baby, and they can be purchased at pharmacies or drugstores without a prescription.
Another way to use saline solutions to unclog the nose and relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis is to wash the nose with saline solution, because through the force of gravity the saline enters through one nostril and leaves through the other, without cause pain or discomfort, eliminating the secretions. Here's how to do a nasal wash to unclog your nose.
2. Antihistamines
Antihistamines are anti-allergy remedies that help relieve symptoms of itchy nose or eyes, runny nose or constant sneezing, as they act by blocking the action of histamine, which is the substance produced by the body responsible for the allergic response.
The antihistamines that can be used orally, normally indicated by the doctor are:
- Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate tablets, pills or syrup (Polaramine or Histamin);
- Loratadine tablet, syrup or drops (Claritin or Loratamed);
- Desloratadine tablet, syrup or drops (Desalex, Esalerg or Sigmaliv);
- Fexofenadine tablet or syrup (Allegra or Altiva);
- Cetirizine capsule, tablet or drops (Reactine or Zyrtec);
- Hydroxyzine syrup or tablet (Hixizine or Pergo);
- Levocetirizine drops or tablet (Zyxem or Rizi).
- Bilastina tablets or oral solution (Alektos);
- Promethazine tablets (Phenergan or Profergan).
In addition to oral antihistamines, the doctor may also indicate the use of nasal sprays with antihistamines, such as azelastine or dimetindene maleate, for example, applied to the nasal mucosa, 2 to 3 times a day to help relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms more quickly such as runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing.
Antihistamines should be used only on medical advice, and should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women unless recommended by a physician.
3. Decongestants
Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine act by causing vasoconstriction and consequent decrease in blood flow in the nasal mucosa, reducing the entry of fluids into the nose, throat and sinuses, decreasing the inflammation of the nasal membranes and the production of mucus. Learn how to use pseudoephedrine.
Decongestant sprays or drops such as oxymetazoline and phenylephrine are used locally in the nose and also cause vasoconstriction, leading to a rapid decongestant effect. However, overuse of these decongestant sprays can cause rebound nasal congestion, which is when the nasal mucosa increases mucus production as it senses that the secretion is decreasing, and thus, the discomfort of allergic rhinitis can worsen.
4. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids in the form of nasal sprays, such as beclomethasone, fluticasone, mometasone or budesonide, work by reducing inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa, relieving the symptoms of rhinitis, especially when used regularly.
Generally, corticosteroids in nasal spray are the most indicated remedies for allergic rhinitis because they quickly relieve the symptoms of rhinitis and have few side effects when compared to oral corticosteroids, in addition to being considered more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs. histamines.
These steroids should only be used with medical advice and indication, with well-determined doses and for the time indicated by the doctor, individually.
5. Antileukotrienes
Antileukotrienes, such as montelukast, work by reducing inflammation of the nasal mucosa, relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as nasal obstruction, sneezing, itching and stuffy or runny nose.
Montelukast can be used in tablet form by adults or children over 2 years of age, or in granule form by adults and children over 6 months, provided that the dose and duration of treatment varies with age and severity of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and its use should always be done with medical advice.
Antileukotrienes can be found under the trade names Montelair, Aria or Piemonte, for example, and should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless directed by your doctor.
Remedies for allergic rhinitis in children
Remedies for childhood allergic rhinitis should be prescribed by the pediatrician according to the child's age and severity of symptoms.
Generally, antihistamines prescribed by the doctor are in syrup and the most suitable decongestants should be prescribed in drops so as not to harm the nasal mucosa. See the main treatments for childhood rhinitis.
Doses of drugs for childhood allergic rhinitis should be indicated by the pediatrician, as well as the duration of treatment.
Home Remedy Options for Allergic Rhinitis
A good way to complement the medical treatment for allergic rhinitis is to drink ginger tea with garlic or inhale eucalyptus essential oil, as they help reduce inflammation in the airways. Learn how to prepare natural remedies for allergic rhinitis.
The use of these, or any other natural remedy, should not replace the remedies prescribed by the doctor, being just a way to help relieve symptoms more quickly.
Furthermore, other natural measures that can help relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis or prevent new attacks are to clean the environment as much as possible, clean the nostrils and avoid contact with allergens as much as possible. If these measures do not have the expected result, you should seek a doctor to indicate the best treatment and avoid self-medication. Know the risks of self-medication.
