Allergies and how to deal?

[bin_tenn]

I didn't start having issues with allergies until a few years ago or so. Being new to this allergy crap, I have had many questions. Haha. My main one though: what do you all recommend for keeping it at bay?

I have the typical mild/moderate allergy symptoms: runny nose, tickly/sore throat, cough, post nasal drip (which I have year round anyhow), sometimes itchy or watery eyes. I'd put it down to a cold, but these are very intermittent, and they've been off and on for a few weeks or more. It's that time of year. The cars are covered in pollen, we've done some work outside, I wash the cars regularly, and we're also cleaning and painting and stuff inside.

I feel for those of you who suffer severe allergies this time of year. I don't feel terrible, but I'd definitely like to not have any of it. Haha. What at-home remedies do you use, and what OTC medication works best for you? My cousin said Zyrtec works wonders for her, but I'd like to hear your experiences as well. Especially the at-home stuff, because right now I'd prefer to avoid going out too much.

 

[FinneousRex]

I like Claritin better than Zyrtec. But I don’t take it everyday. Obviously anything you take daily you’re going to build a tolerance against. When my allergies are very bad, I’ll do Claritin, as well as a Flonase (or similar brand) nasal allergy spray. And at nights if I feel like I’m dying I’ll take Benadryl. I also carry around cortisone cream in case my skin gets itchy from the allergens.

 

[bin_tenn]

I like Claritin better than Zyrtec. But I don’t take it everyday. Obviously anything you take daily you’re going to build a tolerance against. When my allergies are very bad, I’ll do Claritin, as well as a Flonase (or similar brand) nasal allergy spray. And at nights if I feel like I’m dying I’ll take Benadryl. I also carry around cortisone cream in case my skin gets itchy from the allergens.

Thanks! Claritin doesn't seem to do much for me. It helps alleviate or reduce some symptoms, but overall doesn't do much.