<p>Prescription Allegra. Once a day. Works for me usually within the hour.</p>
<p>Usually I use my neti once a day (morning) when I am feeling stuffy. Some days I don’t use it at all. When the snow was melting a few weeks ago, I used it a couple of times a day.</p>
<p>As a child I had terrible allergies, and still can when off the meds, and my dietary restrictions. My favorite anti allergen was Seldane-taken off the market because of cardiac side effects that were lethal. However Allegra has been very effectual, and I add a cromolyn nasal spray and anti allergy eye drops at times. Flonase is wonderful, but I avoid steroids due to osteoporotic tendencies. </p>
<p>For me, avoiding dairy products when going through a symptomatic phase is very helpful. Keeping my diet clean also helps quite a bit, no junk food, desserts, etc. </p>
<p>Clean environment is also very helpful. Dusting under the bed, washing bedding in hot water, pillow case covers, and so on. Last year I got rid of the old soft couch that was awful for the allergies, and got a leather couch, mostly for my very allergic daughter. We’re both healthier for it.</p>
<p>Does anyone know any more about being “allergic to the sun”? Someone in family just had what seems like an allergic event while at the beach.</p>
<p>While an understandable first reaction is to just stay inside all the time, I’m interested in other ways to address this problem. Obviously it needs medical look-over, but if there turns out to be a true sun allergy, what coping techniques do you use? </p>
<p>Also: Does sunblock actually even make a difference if there’s a sun allergy?</p>
<p>myself plus two sons…have similar allergies…three shots a week…drugs in April till mid May and the rest of the year just claritan. We all three sometimes start sneezing when the sun hits our eyes quite suddenly…triggers a violent sneezing fit…much more likely to happen when we are also getting overloaded/flooded with allergens and triggers like pollen and pets. Not really a problem during beach season or in summers but only when the pollen or ragweed is high…These sun in the eyes events…no more than a handful a year and not requiring intervention…usually a dose of claritan plus sudafed and nose spray will stop things fine</p>
<p>Perhaps you meant something more serious that involves the skin…</p>
<p>p3t, I know a young man with allergic reactions to sun exposure - he gets hives if he stays in the sun for too long.
[Sun</a> Rash – Sun Allergy](<a href=“http://allergies.about.com/od/urticariahives/a/solarurticaria.htm]Sun”>Urticaria (Hives): Overview and More)</p>
<p>mom60 watching this thread with interest. Terrible allergy season “up here” . (I live about thirty five minutes north of mom60).<br>
I sometimes take Claritin D (the non D and Allegra non D do nothing for me). Took one on Father’s Day and regretted it. Clammy skin, no appetite, felt like I was on speed.
DH who has never had a problem has been suffering this year. Red itchy eyes, etc. His eyes get so bad that it hurts to look at them.<br>
Glad to know we aren’t alone…</p>
<p>paying3, years ago I started getting hives (all over) at the beach. I don’t know if there is an answer other than reducing sun exposure. I simply had to make some permanent changes: always sit under an umbrella, go out only in early mornings and late afternoons, etc. This only happened at the beach–never as a result of routine sun exposure. And sunblock didn’t help. We don’t go much anymore, but when we do, I like a beach house with a shady screened porch and, ideally, a water view so I can hang out and read. I love being there, but my days of spending hours on the beach ended long ago. And in the process I hope I’ve reduced my skin cancer risk. </p>
<p>You might want to ask a dermatologist and/or Google (apologies to doctors for mentioning both in the same sentence) about sunblock ingredients. It’s possible that there is an allergic reaction.</p>
<p>I can’t take the ones with " D" at the end. They make me feel creepy and I can’t sleep. I get the best success with frequent doses of the cheapest Walmart antihistimine - I take a couple a day when I’m suffering.</p>
<p>i’m reading and thank those who are posting!</p>
<p>I had terrible springtime allergies from the time I was about 20 until well into my 40’s. I tried every drug on the market but was miserable with the side effects. I finally decided to try acupuncture. </p>
<p>The acupuncturist made no predictions as to how much or even whether my symptoms would improve. But after weekly sessions for a month, then tapering off to twice a month, etc., by the end of that summer, my allergies were totally gone. </p>
<p>I have now been allergy-free for almost 15 years and still can’t believe my good fortune. I used to go in for a “tune-up” every few years, but now I don’t even do that. So sorry to hear of all of you who are struggling with this.</p>