treatment
Prescription antihistamine
Antihistamine drugs are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. Antihistamines can be used to treat a range of conditions including allergic reactions, motion sickness and insomnia. However, the term "antihistamines" most commonly refers to medications that are used to treat hay fever.
Doctor’s advice
What can you find here?
Who should take antihistamines?
If you are suffering from hay fever or allergic-type symptoms such as an itchy nose, itchy rash or bite on the skin or redness and minor swelling of the skin, then an antihistamine may help relieve these symptoms for you.
Minor allergic reactions to products (washing detergent, creams, perfume), food or plant reactions (stinging nettles) can be safely treated with over-the-counter antihistamines and should get better in hours to days. Make sure to avoid whatever caused the reaction in future.
If you find that you are getting regular allergic reactions and do not know the reason why, you should discuss with your doctor, and you may benefit from getting allergy testing.
Prescription options
There are many different antihistamines available to buy from your local pharmacist. If you have tried these and they have been ineffective, there is the option to try a prescription medication. Your doctor can prescribe fexofenadine, which is a stronger allergy medication to see if it can help with your symptoms. It comes in tablet form and is a once-a-day medication.
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