Best allergy meds for runners

I take Claritin but I am interested in what others have to say.

I have seasonal allergies. Like right now. Nothing totally works for me. I still struggle a little bit for a few weeks each spring.

Zyrtec. It's OK to take 2-3 per day. I do on long run days. It's processed by the kidneys so don't make a daily habit out of it. Maybe 2-3 X per week.

I take generic loratadine. It is cheaper than the brand name Claritin. Interestingly enough, the generic loratadine has Claritin usage, precautions, etc. folded up inside of the bottle.

For myself, Claritin is not effective. I take one zyrtec daily, right at bedtime. Keeps allergies under control. Don't notice drowsiness.

Went to ketogenic/low carb diet. Problem solved at the root of the problem.

I like going to Eugene for the Prefontaine Classic but my seasonal allergies make it a miserable experience as well. I really haven't found any medication that works so I just accept it and bring plenty of tissue with me.

Had terrible allergies growing up. Outgrew them somewhat also now live in an area where they're much better. The nasal sprays are much more useful for runners. Help clear up the nasal passages. Ones like nasacort or its generic have done the most for me but they're not over the counter. Also have never experienced any drowsiness.

Don't worry about the allergies to dogs. I'm allergic to cats and there isn't an allergy med in the world that can help me there. Just keep your distance.

Flonase. Non-drowsy.

For runners, Albuterol seems to be pretty good.

My allergist has me on 180mg Allegra at night, and 300mg Zantac in the morning (Zantac is also an anti-histamine). Not sure how much it's helping.

YMMV wrote:

Went to ketogenic/low carb diet. Problem solved at the root of the problem.

How would these things help with environmental or animal allergies?

I sneeze and get a runny nose and eyes when pollen goes there. Why would low cards address that?

Most carbs contain plant defensive chemicals that put a load on the immune system,which combined with fluctuations in blood glucose which promote insulin resistance and promote inflammation. Once these issues are addressed and you are burning stored fats, all kinds of problems (including dental issues, arthralgia, etc) will clear up. At almost 60 I am healthier, more energy-consistent and pain-free than I ever was when I was younger but high-carb. Almost all of the allergy symptoms, which were getting worse not better with age, have vanished in the past few years.Of course I am doing other key things like eating LOTS of high-nutrient green salads, supplementing vitamin D and fish oil and sleeping at least eight hour/night.

please explain wrote:

YMMV wrote:

Went to ketogenic/low carb diet. Problem solved at the root of the problem.

How would these things help with environmental or animal allergies?

I sneeze and get a runny nose and eyes when pollen goes there. Why would low cards address that?

Marco Brolo wrote:

I take Claritin but I am interested in what others have to say.

I have seasonal allergies. Like right now. Nothing totally works for me. I still struggle a little bit for a few weeks each spring.

Same here, but I'm taking Benadryl.. it does make me drowsy.

the antihistamine is what you want, I think, so whatever OTC drug gives you most of that seems to work.

I use a neti pot and dymista nasal spray. I also get allergy shots.

Another alternative (which I picked up by reading these boards a few years ago, thanks LR!) is dried nettle (sometimes mixed with quercetin). It kicks in quickly, seems to have no side effects I notice, lasts ~6 hours. You can usually find it at a hippie-ish grocery, something like whole foods or the local co-op. Works better for me than the prescription/OTC drugs.

I sometimes take this as well ... stinging nettle and quercetin with bromelian. Very effective and non-sedating. I get crabby and depressed during allergy season. Nettle and quercetin with bromelian don't make me "happy" but they do seem to help with making me less depressed and less crabby.

asdfasdf wrote:

Another alternative (which I picked up by reading these boards a few years ago, thanks LR!) is dried nettle (sometimes mixed with quercetin). It kicks in quickly, seems to have no side effects I notice, lasts ~6 hours. You can usually find it at a hippie-ish grocery, something like whole foods or the local co-op. Works better for me than the prescription/OTC drugs.

Zyrtec plus zaditor eye drops.

Some nasal sprays work, never have for me.

A quick side note. A less common side effect of Claritin-D is extreme muscle soreness and stiffness. Back when I was running a lot, I really couldn't take Claritin/Claritin-D since I experienced soreness and stiffness after using it for 2 -3 weeks. I would need to soak in a hot tub or take a warm shower to get moving, even after a relatively easy day. I switched over to the hippie-ish remedy, which really did help.

Angry Willy wrote:

I sometimes take this as well ... stinging nettle and quercetin with bromelian. Very effective and non-sedating. I get crabby and depressed during allergy season. Nettle and quercetin with bromelian don't make me "happy" but they do seem to help with making me less depressed and less crabby.

asdfasdf wrote:

Another alternative (which I picked up by reading these boards a few years ago, thanks LR!) is dried nettle (sometimes mixed with quercetin). It kicks in quickly, seems to have no side effects I notice, lasts ~6 hours. You can usually find it at a hippie-ish grocery, something like whole foods or the local co-op. Works better for me than the prescription/OTC drugs.

asdfasdf wrote:

Another alternative (which I picked up by reading these boards a few years ago, thanks LR!) is dried nettle (sometimes mixed with quercetin). It kicks in quickly, seems to have no side effects I notice, lasts ~6 hours. You can usually find it at a hippie-ish grocery, something like whole foods or the local co-op. Works better for me than the prescription/OTC drugs.

I might have been the one that posted about nettles/quercetin a few years ago when I used to have symptoms (OTC meds were useless or too many side-effects).

If you want to go deeper I strongly suggest a ketogenic diet, at least during allergy season.