Hi, I hope that everyone is doing ok with his or her spring-time allergies.  Frequently I am asked which is better to treat allergies: pills (oral anti-histamines) or nose sprays.  For many people, putting medication in the nose may not be very appealing and they would rather take oral medications.  However, several well-done studies have suggested that the first medication one should use to treat allergies to environmental proteins is the steroid nose sprays.  Steroid nasal sprays have been proven to more effectively reduce nasal stuffiness, sneezing and post-nasal drip than allergy pills (anti-histamines).  In fact, allergy pills on their own do not help with nasal congestion.  Some allergy pills contain a decongestant in them, and are labeled with a “D� after their name, which will help with nasal congestion.  These pills contain both the allergy medication and pseudophedrine.  Although these are good medications (the combination allergy/pseudophedrine pills), they may be dangerous for some patients to take.  If someone has a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, thyroid disease or an enlarged prostate, they should be taken with extreme caution with close physician follow-up if they decide to take the oral antihistamines with “D.�

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