Posted By Ian on Jun 22, 2014 | 1 comment

I’m allergic to the world. Year-round allergies keep my respiratory system under fire all the time with allergens like dust, pollen (trees/grass/whatever), animals, and exercise-induced asthma. I’m a real prize.

But if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s survive it well and I thought, since so many people are sharing this particular allergy season, I should share my recipe for allergy season survival. This is about the fifth year in a row my allergies have been particularly awful in June. Something about climate change? Anyway here’s what you need to know to get through this.

1. Antihistamines – The first thing you need to know about antihistamines is that they aren’t “fast” acting like a pain killer like Ibuprofen is. Half-hour later and your pain is a little dulled. I’ve been told by my doctor that antihistamines need to build up in your system and ever since I started thinking about them that way, they’ve worked infinitely better for me. Taking one a day during allergy season and maybe two a day during peak times is the best way to make them work.  The other key is that the standard antihistamine on the market doesn’t work very well for me. Reactine and Claritin are second-generation antihistamines and my first generation body is incompatible with them. I am 100% compatibile with chlorpheniramine, (chlor-Triplon) or the over-the-counter Novopheneramine and I found it works faster and more reliably to keep my nose from running and eyes from itching.
2. Visine – Once your eyes have started becoming exceedingly itchy, don’t touch them. You can easily set off allergic conjunctivitis which makes these white/clear globby mucus things which are even itchier than your itchy eyes. If it gets to that point, Visine Seasonal Allergy Relief is amazing. It will soothe your eyes and revert them to their normal state.
3. Decongestant – Your day-to-day symptoms are covered and your eyes are all better but you’re still beyond snotty. The only thing left to clear those sinuses is to get a decongestant. A nice extra strength decongestant is easy to come by and inexpensive. Mine is pseudophedrine hydrochoride, 60mg. One of those and your sinuses are clear for the afternoon no matter how many tissues you were sullying.

There you have it, the three piece arsenal you need to tackle severe allergy season and the best part, you can buy all three for roughly $40 or less.

Breathe easy my friends.