Have you ever had a runny nose, constant sneezing and coughing during the spring and found that antihistamines just didn’t do the trick?
You are not alone – data from Ahrefs shows that 600 people globally search for “allergy medicine not working” every month.
There are plenty of myths about spring allergy season, and one of the most common is that only allergies can cause allergy-like symptoms. If your runny nose and sneezing aren’t going away after taking antihistamines, the experts at Allergy Insider suggest that it may not be allergies at all.
What is non-allergic rhinitis?
To understand non-allergic rhinitis, we must first understand allergies.
Having an allergy means that your immune system reacts to a substance that is harmless to most people (e.g., pollen, dog dander, cat dander, mould, etc.). If your immune system recognizes an allergen and views it as a threat, your body will release a chemical called histamine, which is involved in causing allergy symptoms. This is why antihistamines help to relieve symptoms; they suppress histamine in your system.
If your immune system doesn’t react to an allergen, then there is no histamine released. If there is no histamine, then antihistamines can’t relieve symptoms. If antihistamines aren’t working for you and you have allergy-like symptoms, it may not be a bad allergy season—but instead something non-allergic you’re reacting to.
Examples of non-allergenic triggers include:
- Cigarette smoke
- Cleaning supplies
- Perfume or cologne
- Pollution
- A flu or cold
A study from the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy (JMCP) revealed that 65% of people who were prescribed antihistamines for allergies were actually non-allergic1, which highlights just how many people assume their symptoms mean they must have allergies.
It is important to know exactly what you are allergic to if you are because then you can take the necessary steps to either avoid contact with triggers or get the correct medication required.
Discovering what’s causing your symptoms starts with talking to your healthcare provider about getting a specific IgE blood test, this helps healthcare providers better understand your condition and get you the treatment you need.
Visit Allergy Insider to get more information on why your allergy medications might not be working.
