Allergies

Best OTC Allergy Medicines 2023 and When to Take Them

OTC allergy medications come in various types, including antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine (Allegra); decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine); nasal steroids like fluticasone (Flonase) and budesonide (Rhinocort); and eye drops containing ketotifen (Zaditor). Generic drugs are as effective as brand-name options and more affordable. Antihistamines should be taken before allergen exposure for optimal results. Onset times vary: antihistamines (20 minutes to 3 hours), decongestants (15 minutes to 1 hour), nasal steroids (a few hours, best after several days), and eye drops (within minutes).

Khang T. Vuong, MHA8 May 2023

Wellness

How Can I Manage Dry Eyes during Allergy Season?

There are multiple strategies such as allergy eye drops, artificial tears for dry eyes, and humidifers.

Jasiah Hasan21 Apr 2023

Healthcare Cost

How Much Does Allergy Testing Cost in 2023?

On average, a skin test for allergies will cost between $60 to $300, and a blood test for allergies can cost between $200 to $1,000 if paying without insurance. There are many types of allergies, each requiring a different test to diagnose.

Dvora Kluwgant, MD19 Dec 2022

Healthcare Cost

How Much Do Allergy Shots Cost Without Insurance in 2023?

For uninsured patients, allergy shots can range from $20-$100 per visit. Allergy shots are administered weekly, so the annual cost can range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year. Depending on your location and your facility, the costs of allergy shots for uninsured individuals can differ drastically.

Sophie Wei19 Dec 2022

Tips

When Should I Go to the Doctor for a Cough?

It may be challenging to decide if your cough is worth going to the doctor. You should consider the severity of your symptoms and how long they have lasted before deciding whether to see a medical professional.

Talor Bianchini21 Dec 2022

COVID-19

How To Tell the Difference Between Allergies vs. COVID-19?

Symptoms of allergies may overlap with early signs of COVID-19. While signs and symptoms of allergies often impact the nasal passages, they rarely result in fever or digestive discomfort. With COVID-19, one may experience a range of symptoms, including congestion, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.

Ashley Brooks23 Aug 2022

Wellness

Best OTC Allergy Medicine in 2022

Allergy medicines each have specific usages, and throughout this article, we detail which is best for certain allergic reactions. After doing thorough research though, we have deduced that the best overall OTC allergy medication is Zyrtec.

Madeline Hlobik21 Apr 2022

Wellness

How To Tell the Difference Between Allergies vs. Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)

Allergies can occur at any time of year. While some may be "seasonal," which is when you get them only in the spring or fall, or they may be year-round. Sinusitis, or sinus infections, however, usually happen after you've had a cold or allergies. Some symptoms will linger, even after your cold goes away.

Alyssa Corso13 Sep 2021