Spring is here, and with it come the springtime allergies! Beyond the obvious pollen, mold spores thrive in damp environments, especially after seasonal rains, while dust mites multiply as temperatures rise. Pet dander also becomes a bigger problem as animals shed their winter coats. Meanwhile, grass pollens like Bermuda, Timothy, and ryegrass kick into high gear in late spring, especially in May and June. These lightweight particles travel easily on the wind, making you miserable in your skin.
Sometimes it’s not what you’re exposed to as in pollen, it could be foods you are eating, including SHELLFISH, as well as some types of store-bought honey. Read my blog on that, The Best Honey for Allergies: Raw Unfiltered vs. Pasteurized Comparison.
Regardless of what’s got you feeling allergic, you still need to know what to do and how to handle it. Do you grab something off the shelf, beg your doc for a script, or try a natural supplement? Let’s break it down, compare the heavy hitters as well as things from nature’s medicine cabinet.
OTC Allergy Meds: The Quick Fixes
First up, the over-the-counter (OTC) crew, your drugstore MVPs. These are the ones you snag when you’re mid-sneeze and desperate. Think cetirizine (Zyrtec®) or loratadine (Claritin®), both antihistamines that tell histamine – the sneeze-inducing troublemaker – to take a hike.
Cetirizine kicks in fast, often within an hour, but it might leave you feeling like you need a nap (hello, couch potato vibes!). Loratadine, on the other hand, is gentler on the drowsiness scale and lasts all day so you can take it in the morning. Side effects for both? Dry mouth or a slight headache might tag along, but they’re usually mild, also constipation and dry eyes.
Then there’s fluticasone (Flonase®), a nasal corticosteroid spray that keeps inflammation down. It’s fabulous for stuffiness and itchy eyes, but it takes a few days to really kick in. Watch out for nosebleeds or a funky taste if you overdo it. These OTC champs are great for mild-to-moderate allergies, but if you’re still miserable after a week, it’s time to level up.
By the way, if you go to the pharmacy to pick up any of those OTC medicines for your allergies, grab some Visine for your itchy eyes, as well as a Bausch & Lomb eye cup with sterile saline to give it a good rinse.
Prescription Powerhouses for Allergies
If pollen’s got you waving the white flag, your doc might call in the big guns, prescription meds like montelukast (Singulair®). This medicine isn’t an antihistamine – it’s a leukotriene blocker, tackling the deeper inflammation that makes you feel like a human tissue box!
It’s taken once-a-day in pill form (not injection) making it super convenient, but heads-up: Some folks report mood swings or vivid dreams. It’s perfect for asthma-allergy combos, but if you’re just itchy and sneezy, I’d say the OTC drugs mentioned above might be all you need. Let me go back to those because they are not all created equally, there are subtle differences that you should know about.
First vs. Second-Generation Antihistamines: Pros and Cons
Let’s talk about the difference between first- and second-generation antihistamines because not all allergy meds have the same side effects.
First-Generation Antihistamines (ie diphenhydramine/Benadryl®, chlorpheniramine and others)
- Pros: Work quickly and effectively to relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itching. Good for nighttime use since they cause drowsiness.
- Cons: Major sedation (think groggy, sluggish mornings), dry mouth, dry eyes and blurry vision, dizziness, and, in some cases, difficulty urinating and constipation!
They also cross the blood-brain barrier, which means they can impair cognitive function, something to consider if you need to stay sharp. The first generation antihistamines have what’s called anticholinergic side effects, like many other drugs. That’s why they cause these types of side effects. Almost makes you want to NOT treat your allergies!
Second-Generation Antihistamines (ie cetirizine/Zyrtec®, Loratadine/Claritin®, Fexofenadine/Allegra®)
- Pros: Longer-lasting relief for allergies (typically 24 hours), less sedation, and fewer cognitive side effects. They’re better for daily use, especially if you need to be functional at work or school.
- Cons: Can still cause mild drowsiness (cetirizine more so than loratadine or fexofenadine). May take slightly longer to kick in compared to first-generation options. The second generation drugs do not cause anticholinergic side effects.
Drug-Nutrient Depletion: The Hidden Cost of Allergy Meds
If you’re living on allergy meds year-round (which you shouldn’t be!), you need to be aware of nutrient depletion. Many antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids can rob your body of essential vitamins and minerals, leading to long-term health issues.
- Vitamin C & Quercetin: Antihistamines may deplete vitamin C, a natural antihistamine itself, and quercetin, which helps stabilize MAST CELLS. This reduces levels of histamine which is helpful. My brand of this formula contains 100% natural vitamin C along with 100% natural dihydroQUERCETIN. Click on the graphic below to learn more.
- Magnesium: Needed for muscle relaxation and immune balance. Some allergy meds interfere with magnesium absorption, increasing the risk of muscle cramps and anxiety. This mineral is very stabilizing to mast cells, which reduces the release of histamine, a key trigger of allergic reactions. It also supports immune function and can help reduce systemic inflammation. Most people are a little low in this because drinking coffee depletes it! Read my other article, Are You Taking the Right Kind of Magnesium? Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Types.
- B Vitamins: Depleted by long-term use of antihistamines and decongestants, leading to low energy and mood imbalances. B vitamins, especially B6, B12, and folate, help regulate immune function and reduce inflammation, which can ease springtime allergy symptoms. They also support the production of histamine-metabolizing enzymes, potentially lowering allergic reactions. Check out Mito B complex.
- Zinc: Chronic use of corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flonase may lower zinc levels, weakening immune function and slowing wound healing. Zinc supports the immune system and helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response, which can reduce allergy symptoms like congestion and itching. Read this article, 6 Critical Reasons You Need Zinc. It may also stabilize mast cells, decreasing histamine release and minimizing allergic reactions during springtime. My brand is very, very GENTLE on the tummy, CHELATED ZINC.
The takeaway? If you rely on allergy meds frequently, support your body with high-quality supplements to counteract allergies as well as nutrient depletions.
4 Springtime Supplements for Allergies
Now, let’s get to the fun part, my personal stash! You know I’m all about giving your body a natural boost, so here’s how my supplements can tag-team with (or even sub for) those meds:
- Vitamin C: A natural antihistamine that calms histamine levels and supports your immune system. It’s not a cure for allergies, it’s just complementary to whatever else you’re doing.
- Vitamin D: Keeps inflammation in check and helps prevent your immune system from overreacting to allergens. Take only if you are deficient – a simple blood test will determine. Again, not a “cure” for allergies, but it’s supportive since it’s great for immune function. Dry eye and tearfulness are signs of low vitamin D levels. If that interests you, take a moment and read my other blog, 20 Unusual Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency.
- Mito B Complex: Helps with stress (which makes allergies worse!) and regulates histamine breakdown. My brand is potent because it presents the Bs in their biologically-active, body ready form. So you get P5’P (active) instead of pyridoxine, and methylfolate (active) instead of folic acid like most other brands, and so forth.
- Catalase: Breaks down hydrogen peroxide buildup in your body, which can contribute to allergy fatigue. I want you to know my brand was the first and only formula to be encapsulated in DR™ acid-resistant caps (because that’s the only way the enzyme will work) for many years until other foreign makers recently copied me!
Optional: Joint Script®: Reduces inflammatory cytokines which amplify allergies while supporting joint health.
When to Call the Doc
OTC not cutting it? Prescription leaving you loopy? If you’re wheezing, your eyes are swollen shut, or you’re sneezing so much you’ve lost count, it’s doctor time. Allergies can escalate, and you don’t want to mess with asthma or sinus infections.
And while we’re on the topic, did you know that chronic sinus infections can sometimes be due to sinus fungal balls? Yes, it’s a real thing although unusual! If you’ve been battling nonstop congestion and sinus pressure, without relief, please check out MY BLOG on sinus fungal balls for a deep dive into what might really be going on.
Spring allergies don’t have to ruin your day. Start with OTC like loratadine, cetirizine, or fluticasone for quick relief, escalate to montelukast if you need firepower, and weave in my Joint Script or Catalase to give your body a real edge. Mix and match, just don’t overdo it without chatting with your healthcare pro. Now, go enjoy that fresh air (with a tissue in hand, of course!
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
