Seasonal Allergies:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, August 6 and November 26, 2005

Show 221

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

Scratchy throat, water eyes, runny nose? They're all symptoms of seasonal allergies. Here's some tips on treatment.

Lisa Wiesner, PharmD:

Almost one out of every three people in America has some kind of seasonal allergy. Itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and scratchy throat are all signs that you may have a seasonal allergy. The difference between a seasonal allergy and other kinds is that the seasonal allergy stops at some point. Other allergies, like food or pet allergies continue to linger.

Fortunately, there are several over-the-counter medications that effectively treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies. The most common are antihistamines--both in the pill form and as a nasal spray. There are also combination medications that have an antihistamine with a decongestant and a pain reliever. These are great for providing relief when you have multiple symptoms.

If these medications don't do the trick for you, see your doctor because there are several prescription medications available. Many people mistakenly think that you should wait until symptoms start before treating them, but the best way to get relief is to prevent the symptoms before they even start.