Thank goodness for antihistamines! Antihistamines are the superheroes of the medicine cabinet-providing some relief from the miserable symptoms such a itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy, tender skin, and other discomforts. One in five Americans suffer from allergies.

Antihistamines block histamines. Histamines are made by your white blood cells in your body so that you can resist infection. Your bone marrow makes mast cells as part of your immune system However, when your body's mast cells make these histamines, they are released in an allergic reaction. You then feel the discomfort in the form of itching, swelling and redness.
Antihistamines block histamine receptors so that you do not experience reactions to the histamines.

Histamines can cause reactions that you feel on your skin or in your eyes and nose. Your eyes may by watery and your nose might run. Some people experience these reactions often and refer to them as allergies.

Antihistamine are medications that blocks these types of effects you can have from histamines. We are fortunate to have antihistamines, either by prescription or over-the-counter to experience relief from the discomfort of allergies and allergy-like reactions.

They can be taken as pills, liquid, nasal spray or eye drops. Over-the-counter antihistamine
eye drops can relieve red itchy eyes, while nasal sprays can be used to treat the symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies.

Examples of antihistamines include:

- Over-the-counter medications: Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Claritin, Dimetane and Tavist.
Ocu-Hist is an OTC eye drop.

- Prescription: Allegra, Clarinex, and Zyrtec. Astelin is a prescription nasal spray. Eye drops include Emadine and Livostin.

Antihistamines prevent the allergy-like symptoms that can make you feel miserable. Antihistamines block histamine receptors and enable you to carry on with your day.
Antihistamines are available as pills, liquid, nasal spray or eye drops. Many over-the-counter antihistamines cause drowsiness. Non-sedating antihistamines are available by prescription.

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