Suffering from allergies is a normal thing for most people, and they can have allergies to certain allergens since birth. However, people can also develop allergies at any point in their life. It’s always best to get yearly blood and scratch tests to be aware of what allergens bother you the most. A blocked nose is one of the most frustrating symptoms of an allergy. If you suffer from a blocked nose, here are a few treatments for allergy relief

 

Antihistamines:

 

Treatments for allergy relief are present in abundance, but some tend to be more effective than others. The most common and effective form of allergy relief comes from antihistamines. Antihistamines are used to treat reactions like redness, swelling, and inflammation.

Our bodies have Histamine receptors that are located in our blood vessels and airways, and antihistamines prevent the release of histamine from these receptors. This helps relieve swelling and redness caused by histamine release. Antihistamines are used to treat hay fever, dust allergies, or even food allergies. It is imperative to make sure that none of the chemicals present in the antihistamine can cause allergic reactions. If they can, please avoid taking them. 

 

One of these antihistamines is Telfast. Telfast is a commonly available medicine and contains fexofenadine hydrochloride. Telfast can be used for individuals above the age of 12 for relief from long term skin allergies that cause rashes and swelling. Telfast is a non-sedating medication, which means that it does not induce sleep and can be taken at any time of the day. Different dosages of Telfast are used for various allergies. In 60mg doses, it is used for hay fever and seasonal rhinitis. In 120 mg doses, it is used to treat hay fever that has gotten severe and causes watery eyes and a blocked nose. The 180mg dose is used for extreme cases of hay fever where hives of rashes appear on the body. Telfast should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

Nasal Sprays:

 

Next up are nasal sprays. There are 3 types of nasal sprays. The first are decongestants that narrow your blood vessels, which in turn helps to reduce swelling in tissues. Decongestants are not to be used for longer than 3 days as they can have adverse effects on your health. They can be bought without a prescription. The second type is salt water solutions, also known as saline nasal sprays. These type of nasal sprays keep your mucus from drying up and becoming crusty. They are a great way to keep your nose clear. They don’t contain any chemicals so you can use them as much as you want. The third type of nasal sprays are steroid nasal sprays. They are used to relieve allergy symptoms but are also used to clear stuffy noses that result from sinus infections. 

 

Nasonex Nasal Spray is one of the best nasal sprays available in the market. Nasonex contains a substance called Mometasone. Mometasone has two purposes, the first is to treat year-round and seasonal allergic reactions, which include a stuffy nose, congestion and inflammation. The second is to treat growths in the nasal cavity known as Nasal Polyps. These are non-cancerous teardrop shaped growths that are caused by sinus problems. They can cause facial pain and stuffy feelings in the facial region. These are relieved by Nasonex Nasal Spray. It helps in reducing the inflammation in these polyps and also works towards clearing blood vessels near the lungs, making breathing easier. Nasonex does not provide instant relief. In fact, it is most effective a couple of days after you start using it. Sometimes Nasonex is used preemptively, a couple of weeks before the pollen season to avoid allergies altogether if possible. Consult your doctor before taking medicine preemptively.

 

Severe allergic reactions:

While the medications mentioned above take care of mild allergic reactions and are used over more extended periods to provide relief, allergic reactions can sometimes be dangerous and in some cases, even fatal. In such situations, immediate care is needed. However, people find it hard to have access to healthcare immediately. The time it could take for a person to get to a hospital could be costly. For such instances, the strongest and potent forms of allergy relief are used, and they are directly injected into your bloodstream for instant relief.

Epipen Injection is one of the most potent and instant forms of allergy relief. If a blocked nose gets to the extent that it becomes impossible to breathe, then this may be used to provide short term relief. An Epipen contains a chemical called epinephrine that instantly narrows blood vessels and reduces swelling in the face or the throat. It also works to improve falling blood pressure in case a very severe allergic reaction happened. The epipen injection is used to provide 20-30 minutes of relief, after which you will still need to seek medical attention. In cases where allergies are caused by edible items, it is always advised to get things like a stomach wash. 

It is vital for people with potentially severe allergies to carry this injection around and learn how to use it as well. Also, it is essential to teach people close to you how to use it as well. It could very well be a life saver. Epipen injections are available commonly but should not be used frequently. They are generally kept for emergencies. Doctors should be made aware of prevailing medical conditions or pregnancy while getting prescribed for Epipen. The injection is only to be given in the thigh for maximum effectiveness. Epipen has mild side effects, which include nausea, vomiting or trouble breathing. If these side effects prevail, then medical attention should be sought. 

 

Having a blocked nose is one of the most irritating allergic reactions, especially for people with year-round problems. These reactions need proper treatment, which includes antihistamines, nasal sprays and emergency injections. Each one has an important role to play in the life of someone dealing with allergies.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X