Some remedies for allergic rhinitis, especially antiallergic ones, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids, help to alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as a blocked or runny nose, itchy nose and eyes or constant sneezing, and can be used in the form of spray, drops or tablets.
These remedies should be used with the advice of a general practitioner or allergist who can indicate the best treatment on an individual basis, according to age, causes of rhinitis and severity of symptoms. See the main causes of allergic rhinitis.
In addition to remedies for rhinitis, treatment can also be complemented with home remedies, such as inhaling eucalyptus essential oil or drinking ginger and garlic tea, for example, to help alleviate symptoms more quickly.
Main remedies
Some medication options that can be used to alleviate symptoms and combat allergic rhinitis are:
1. Saline solutions
Saline solutions in drops or sprays contain 0.9% sodium chloride, a type of salt, and sterile water, which aids nasal hygiene, helping to eliminate irritating substances and allergens. In addition, they also contribute to fluidizing nasal secretion, relieving the feeling of a stuffy 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 can be purchased in pharmacies or drugstores without a prescription.
Another way to use saline solutions to unclog your nose and alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis is to wash your nose with saline solution, because through the force of gravity the serum enters through one nostril and exits through the other, without causing pain or discomfort. eliminating secretions. See how to wash your nose to unclog your nose.
2. Antihistamines
Antihistamines are anti-allergy medicines that help alleviate the 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.
Antihistamines that can be used orally, normally recommended by a doctor, are:
- Dexchlorpheniramine maleate tablets, pills or syrup (Polaramine or Histamin);
- Loratadine tablet, syrup or drops (Claritin or Loratamed);
- Desloratadina tablet, syrup or drops (Desalex, Esalerg or Sigmaliv);
- Fexofenadina tablet or syrup (Allegra or Altiva);
- Cetirizine capsule, tablet or drops (Reactine or Zyrtec);
- Hydroxyzine syrup or tablet (Hixizine or Pergo);
- Levocetirizina drops or tablet (Zyxem or Rizi).
- Bilastina tablets or oral solution (Alektos);
- Promethazine tablets (Fenergan or Profergan).
In addition to oral antihistamines, the doctor may also recommend the use of nasal sprays with antihistamines, such as azelastine or dimethindene maleate, for example, applied to the mucous membrane of the nose, 2 to 3 times a day, to help to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis more quickly, such as discharge, nasal congestion and sneezing.
Antihistamines should only be used under medical advice, and should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless recommended by a doctor.
3. Decongestants
Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine act by causing vasoconstriction and a consequent decrease in blood flow in the nasal mucosa, reducing the entry of fluids into the nose, throat and sinuses, reducing inflammation of the nasal membranes and the production of mucus. Learn how to use pseudoephedrine.
Decongestants in 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, excessive use of these decongestant sprays can cause rebound nasal congestion, which is when the nasal mucosa increases mucus production as it notices that secretion decreases, and thus, the discomfort of allergic rhinitis can worsen. See the complete list of nasal decongestants.
Read too: Rebound effect: what it is, symptoms, causes (and what to do)
4. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids in the form of a nasal spray, such as beclomethasone, fluticasone, mometasone or budesonide, act by reducing inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa, relieving the symptoms of rhinitis, especially when used regularly.
Generally, nasal spray corticosteroids are the most recommended remedies for allergic rhinitis as they quickly relieve rhinitis symptoms and have few side effects when compared to oral corticosteroids, in addition to being considered more effective than antihistamines.
These corticosteroids should only be used with medical guidance and indication, with well-determined doses and for the time indicated by the doctor, on an individual basis.
5. Antileucotrienos
Antileukotrienes, such as montelukast, act by reducing inflammation of the nasal mucosa, relieving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as nasal obstruction, sneezing, itching and a blocked or runny nose. Check out other remedies to unblock your nose.
Montelukast can be used in tablet form by adults or children over 2 years of age, or in granulated form by adults and children over 6 months of age, with the dose and treatment time varying with age. and severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, and its use should always be carried out under medical supervision.
Antileukotrienes can be found under the trade names Montelair, Aria or Piedmont, for example, and should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless advised by your doctor.
Remedies for childhood allergic rhinitis
Remedies for childhood allergic rhinitis should be prescribed by the pediatrician according to the child’s age and the severity of the symptoms.
Generally, the antihistamines prescribed by the doctor are in syrup form 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.
The doses of medication for allergic rhinitis in children must be indicated by the pediatrician, as well as the duration of treatment.
Home remedy options for allergic rhinitis
A good way to complement medical treatment for allergic rhinitis is to drink ginger and garlic tea or inhale with 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 medicines recommended by your doctor, but is simply a way to help alleviate symptoms more quickly.
Furthermore, other natural measures that can help alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis or prevent new attacks are cleaning the environment as much as possible, cleaning the nostrils and avoiding contact with allergens as much as possible. If these measures do not have the expected results, you should consult a doctor to recommend the best treatment and avoid self-medication. Know the risks of self-medication.
