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What are antihistamines?
In allergic reactions of the immediate type, the messenger substance histamine is released. This can lead to the typical allergy symptoms such as itching of the nose and eyes, sneezing attacks and rhinitis. To inhibit the messenger substance and thus reduce the symptoms, antihistamines come into play.
How does an antihistamine work?
The body's chemical messenger histamine plays a crucial role in allergies of all kinds. Upon contact with an allergen, such as a pollen or house dust, the body releases histamine. This causes the neurotransmitter to bind to certain receptors on the cell surface, triggering the allergic reaction of the immune system . However, an antihistamine preempts histamine and blocks these receptors. Antihistamines therefore stop the allergic reaction and thereby relieve the typical allergy symptoms.
The histamine receptors known so far are divided into H1, H2, H3 and H4. For treatment of allergies, H1 antihistamines are usually considered. They specifically block the H1 receptors whose association with histamine predominantly causes the familiar allergy symptoms of the nose, eyes, and skin.
.What are the antihistamines?
There are many antihistamines, all of which basically serve their purpose as histamine receptor blockers but are tolerated differently. Some agents have gained acceptance in the treatment of allergies due to reliable efficacy and good tolerability, and are used in many allergy preparations such as antiallergic nasal sprays, antiallergic eye drops and antiallergic tablets.
The first generation of antihistamines includes older agents, such as
- Clemastine
- Dimetinden
- Hydroxyzine
- Ketotifen
They are rarely used nowadays because they cause side effects such as fatigue and exhaustion. They also have a shorter duration of action than second-generation antihistamines. The second generation includes newer agents, such as
- Acrivastin
- Azelastin
- Bilastin
- Cetirizine
- Desloratadine
- Ebastine
- Fexofenadine
- Levocetericine
- Loratadine
- Mizolastine
- Rupatadine
They are are considered better tolerated and make you less tired than their predecessors. These active ingredients are usually available in tablet form. Allergy sufferers are hardly affected by taking these antihistamines in everyday life. In nasal sprays and eye drops for local treatment, the following active ingredients are predominantly used:
- Azelastine
- Emedastine
- Levocabastine
- Lodoxamide
The active ingredient azelastine is used in Pollival® Nasal Spray and Pollival® Eye Drops which are free of preservatives and phosphates. Azelastine has an additional anti-inflammatory effect and is generally very well tolerated. The effect sets in within a short time and provides rapid relief from hay fever and itchy eyes.
.For what ailments are antihistamines used?
In principle, the use of antihistamines is possible for any type of allergy. Especially mild to moderate symptoms can thus be reliably alleviated within a short time. Antihistamines are particularly effective for immediate-type allergies, such as
In addition to allergic rhinitis it can also be used to treat eye complaints such as itching or allergic conjunctivitis can be treated, as can hives and allergy-related swelling of the skin and mucous membranes.
What form are antihistamines available in?
Antihistamines come in the form of
- nasal sprays
- eyedrops
- tablets
- drops
- injections
The application is divided into
- topical therapy (local application of nasal spray and eye drops)
- systemic therapy (internal use of tablets and injections)
For the local treatment of allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis, nasal sprays or Eye drops established, as they help quickly and are generally well tolerated. If the allergy symptoms are severe, it may also be useful to take tablets.
If severe symptoms occur, such as shortness of breath, allergic asthma or anaphylactic shock, the doctor will administer antihistamines as an injection, among other things, in an emergency. Such injections can be lifesaving in the case of insect bite allergy or food allergy
Many allergy medications are available over the counter at pharmacies. When buying, be sure to check that the medications are free of preservatives . What many don't know is that such additives can further promote allergies and irritate mucous membranes. All Polli allergy products are preservative-free.
What side effects can antihistamines cause?
Older agents often had the undesirable side effect that taking antihistamines made you very tired and severely impaired your alertness while driving or working. This reputation still hangs over allergy medications today, yet the active ingredients have evolved. Second-generation antihistamines are well tolerated by most people and produce few side effects. Nevertheless, side effects can also occur with second
generation antihistamines, for example:
- bitter taste in the mouth
- dry mouth
- nausea
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- dizziness or weakness
- hypersensitivity reactions
- headache
- irritation of mucous membranes
- sneezing
- nosebleeds
- skin rash
- itching
- gastric Intestinal problems
- Sleep disturbances
The side effects usually disappear after stopping the drug. If you notice the above symptoms, ask a doctor for advice. You may be able to switch to a better-tolerated drug for further allergy treatment.
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