Allergy pills are designed to eliminate specific negative symptoms resulting from a reaction to a specific allergen. Many substances can act as irritants:
- plant pollen;
- food products;
- cosmetical tools;
- household chemicals;
- dust;
- pet hair;
- etc.
Allergy medications significantly alleviate the condition of people diagnosed with this pathology, improving their quality of life and allowing them to remain productive.
The principle of action of allergy remedies
The modern pharmacy market is represented by high-quality allergy medications (antihistamines, antihistamines).
There are 3 generations of allergy medications. What are the fundamental differences?
Some of the drugs are classified as homeopathic and hormone-containing drugs. The selection of medications is carried out by an allergist after collecting an anamnesis, external examination of the patient and conducting laboratory diagnostic tests (including allergy tests).
The mechanism of action of antihistamines is to block histamine receptors, which leads to the elimination of negative symptoms.
Reference.
Allergy in medicine is usually called the response of the human immune system to any irritating factor (allergen). Contact with an irritant and/or with many irritants leads to the active state of a biologically active component - histamine (an allergy mediator found in most tissues of the body). This biologically active substance is not dangerous to the body if its activity is not observed. In its active state, histamine leads to disruption of the functions of organs and systems - nervous, muscular, respiratory, digestive, etc.
As a result, the following symptoms may occur:
- Watery eyes, copious discharge from the sinuses.
- Impaired nasal breathing.
- Sneezing, coughing.
- Bronchospasm/breathing disorder.
- Activation of the process of secretion of gastric juice.
- Disturbance of the digestion process and stool (diarrhea).
- Dilatation of blood vessels.
- Edema.
- Skin rashes.
- Headaches, dizziness, fainting.
- Muscle spasms.
- Blood pressure surges.
- Arrhythmia.
- Dry mouth, voice changes.
- Chest/heart pain and more.
Attention!
The condition requires taking special antihistamines that eliminate the negative manifestations of the disease. Experts recommend using modern high-quality medicines to treat allergies of various origins and not experimenting with traditional recipes.
What are antihistamines?
Histamine is a substance produced by the human body. Its function is to fight viruses, germs and bacteria. But under the influence of an allergen, a “failure” occurs: the production of histamine begins (which is not needed at all at the moment) and it begins to “fight” a non-existent “enemy”. As a result, the immune system fails. Externally, this manifests itself as a rash, itching, sneezing, coughing, swelling, and runny nose.
Antihistamines block the production of histamine (or the release of its receptors), thereby helping to eliminate the consequences of the “failure”.
What is the best allergy medicine?
In medicine there is no concept of “best” and “worst”. The drugs of each group have their own advantages, disadvantages and characteristic features. When prescribing them, many factors are taken into account, including the patient’s age, the presence or absence of concomitant diseases, as well as the degree and type of allergy. What suits one person may not only be of no benefit to another, but even harmful.
Important!
Allergic diseases can always be treated with medications. This can be taking tablets individually (monotherapy) or complex treatment. In this case, the allergy drug is part of a complex treatment that includes drugs belonging to other groups.
Tavegil: who is it suitable for?
Tavegil belongs to the class of modern antiallergic drugs. It gives the first therapeutic effect within a short time after entering the gastrointestinal tract. Indications for the use of Tavegil may include:
- hay fever;
- eczema;
- itchy dermatitis, including urticaria;
- iridocyclitis;
- rhinitis of allergic etiology.
However, this drug should not be used with the following contraindications:
- asthma;
- any pathologies of the lungs and bronchioles;
- pyloric stenosis;
- glaucoma;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- hypertension;
- prostatic hyperplasia.
The use of Tavegil is also contraindicated for children under 6 years of age and pregnant women.
Complications of allergies in children
In the absence of competent measures, diseases and conditions that are difficult to treat may develop. Many of them significantly worsen the child’s health, reduce his quality of life and often lead to disability, these are:
- Chronic rhinitis.
- Persistent headaches.
- Deterioration of memory and concentration.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Bronchial asthma, anaphylactic shock or asphyxia.
Allergies in children of any age require timely contact with a qualified specialist and constant monitoring. Only an experienced pediatric allergist can prescribe adequate treatment and provide competent medical supervision.
Causes of allergies
The cause of an allergy is an allergen. Science and medicine figured this out a long time ago. As for the reasons for increased sensitivity to a particular substance, there are many mysteries. For an unknown reason, excessive activation of immune cells (mast cells and basophils) occurs in response to the appearance of an allergen in the body. An inflammatory process is initiated, which can be mild (runny nose, lacrimation, itching) or life-threatening (anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema).
In developed countries, a constant increase in the number of allergy sufferers is recorded. The exact reason for this phenomenon has not yet been established. Today, the dominant theory in this sense is the hygienic theory¹. It was put forward by David Strachan in 1989. According to this hypothesis, excessive hygiene leads to an undertaxed immune system. As a result, the immune system begins to react to harmless antigens such as plant pollen or animal fur.
Remedies for allergies during pregnancy
Negative signs of allergies are not just the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, but a high probability of developing autoimmune disorders. This factor should be taken into account by women carrying a child. Therefore, if characteristic symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor and start taking the medications prescribed by the specialist.
Important!
It is prohibited to buy or take any
allergy medications
without consulting a doctor and undergoing examinations. Self-medication is not acceptable! This is especially true for pregnant women. It should also be taken into account that many drugs are prohibited during pregnancy.
Properly selected, high-quality, modern medicines cannot cause serious harm to the mother’s body and do not affect the development of the fetus. Such drugs, if necessary, are also prescribed to breastfeeding women.
Suprastin: what helps
Suprastin is a drug that has long been a part of the lives of allergy sufferers and copes well with its functions, including:
- stopping allergic rhinitis;
- getting rid of hives;
- relief of skin itching;
- reducing the severity of the reaction to an insect bite.
An undeniable advantage of Suprastin is its safety in relation to pregnant women. Therefore, it is often prescribed to expectant mothers for seasonal rhinitis. One contraindication should be noted separately: Suprastin should not be taken by patients with glaucoma.
For laryngitis. bronchitis and tracheitis, the prescription of Suprastin must be accompanied by a mandatory condition - the patient must drink plenty of fluids daily. This is due to the fact that a side effect of the drug is drying out of the mucous membranes. Healthy people can easily put up with this, but patients with laryngitis or bronchitis must independently maintain the rheological properties of the sputum discharge so as not to get a complication in the form of pneumonia.
How to choose allergy medications?
Now there are a lot of different antihistamines. We offer both expensive original medicines and their more affordable popular analogues. When purchasing, you should follow the recommendations of your doctor and do not replace your own prescribed medication with a similar drug.
Selecting a medicine for allergies is the prerogative of an allergist. A specialist is able to accurately identify the allergen, identify the type and degree of the disease, and, based on all the data, select the best option for successfully blocking histamine receptors.
The main rule to follow
- this is an appeal to a trusted drug supplier. Only in this case can you avoid counterfeiting and not overpay for goods of dubious origin. The network of social pharmacies Stolichki guarantees the authenticity of medicines and offers a wide range of medicines at affordable prices.
Sources
1. Scudellari M. (2017).
News Feature: Cleaning up the hygiene hypothesis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(7), 1433–1436. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1700688114 2. State register of medicines. Instructions for use of the drug for medical use CHLOROPYRAMINE https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/ImgInstr.aspx?folder=ScanVavilova&Filepath=\Vneseno_v_Grls\454954\IP&idReg=160167&isOld=1&fileType=jpg&pfolder=2
3. Tenn MW, Steacy LM, Ng CC, Ellis AK. Onset of action for loratadine tablets for the symptomatic control of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults challenged with ragweed pollen in the Environmental Exposure Unit: a post hoc analysis of total symptom score. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14:5. Published 2022 Jan 16. doi:10.1186/s13223-017-0227-4
4. Axelrod, David, and Leonard Bielory. “Fexofenadine hydrochloride in the treatment of allergic disease: a review.” Journal of asthma and allergy vol. 1 19-29. 19 Sep. 2008, doi:10.2147/jaa.s3092
Review of new generation products
Modern allergy remedies contain mainly one of the active chemicals:
- cetirizine (present in Zirtec and Zodak tablets and drops, in Cetrin, Cetirizine tablets and drops);
- levocetirizine (in Suprastinex tablets, Zodak Express tablets, Xyzal drops and tablets, Levocetirizine-Teva tablets, Glencet tablets, syrup and Erius tablets);
- desloratadine (contained in Dezal tablets and solution, Lordestin and Desloratadine tablets, Blogir-Z syrup and tablets);
- fexofenadine (the main active ingredient in Fexofast, Allegra tablets, Fexadin, Gifast tablets).
Cetrin can be purchased in the form of tablets or syrup. The tablet form is contraindicated for children of preschool age; syrup can be used for children from two years of age. Indicated to relieve spasms in bronchial asthma and reduce swelling. Maintains the effect throughout the day.
Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the composition, during pregnancy and lactation. Prescribe with caution to the elderly and persons with chronic renal failure.
Zodak effectively eliminates redness, itching and swelling. Allergy drops can be used in children from 6 months of age. Contraindicated in case of high sensitivity to the components, during pregnancy, in case of severe kidney pathologies.
Erius has an instant effect, long-lasting effect, relieves itching and swelling. At the same time, it does not have a negative effect on the heart, kidneys and central nervous system. Indicated for allergic rhinitis, reactions to foods and medications, and skin manifestations. Tablets can be used in children from 12 years of age, syrup - from one year. Renal failure is a reason to be treated with Erius with caution.
Fexadin eliminates the manifestations of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, not for use in children under 6 years of age or in case of hypersensitivity to fexofenadine.
Desloratadine is indicated for allergic rhinitis that occurs seasonally or year-round, and for urticaria. Relieves congestion and itching in the nose, palate, eyes, redness and watery eyes. In case of hypersensitivity to the components, during pregnancy and lactation it is not prescribed. Not used in children under 12 years of age.
Stopping or reducing contact with the allergen are so-called elimination measures.
The basis of any method of successful treatment of allergies is, first of all, the elimination of contact with the allergen.
In most cases, this is enough to completely get rid of allergy symptoms or significantly reduce its manifestations. If the cause is not eliminated, then, unfortunately, even the best anti-allergy medications will only provide a temporary effect. If you know the allergen for sure, try to eliminate it, which will help get rid of the allergy. In some cases, this is easy to do: you can always refuse an exotic fruit or a certain type of cosmetics. Sometimes this is difficult: for example, to completely get rid of dust or not to come into contact with pollen from flowering plants. And in some cases, especially if a person has several irritants at once, it is simply impossible to completely eliminate everything. In this case, it is important to minimize contact with the allergen.
The most common causes of allergies are household allergens and food, which is why during treatment, first of all, attention should be paid to a hypoallergenic lifestyle and a special diet.
The most common household allergen is house dust. This is a whole complex of allergens, which includes the epidermis of humans and animals, microscopic spores of mold and yeast, insect waste products, etc.
What helps against household allergies and creating a hypoallergenic lifestyle is written in detail here. Adhering to a hypoallergenic lifestyle is important not only for those who are allergic to dust, but also for all people suffering from any allergies, as well as those with a hereditary predisposition to allergic diseases.
A hypoallergenic diet is one of the allergy treatment methods that plays a special role in the treatment of allergic diseases, especially if there is a food allergy without clear indications of any type of product. In this case, it is recommended to exclude all highly allergenic foods from the diet: chocolate, strawberries, strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, red apples, fish, chicken, eggs, etc. It is also necessary to avoid foods with dyes and preservatives, hot and spicy dishes, alcohol and carbonated drinks, and limit salt intake. The nonspecific hypoallergenic diet is described in detail here. Adhering to such a diet is recommended for all allergy sufferers and persons predisposed to allergic reactions.
If you are allergic to pollen, then a special diet is prepared that takes into account the risk of cross-reactions with pollen allergens. The dusting/blooming calendar and cross-allergy table can be found at the links above.
