They are mostly used for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis, hay fever and even motion sickness. The newer second-generation of antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness.įirst-generation antihistamines have strong sedative action and would likely give you an unpleasant dry mouth after consumption. Though this side effect of antihistamines makes it inappropriate to consume at certain times, not all of them cause drowsiness. Do antihistamines have side effects?Ī common side-effect of antihistamines is drowsiness. While antihistamines can’t block every allergy symptom, they’re particularly effective at preventing nasal congestion and helping some of those uncomfortable symptoms ebb away. This chemical also causes nose swelling, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and even itching. While both antihistamines and decongestants can relieve nasal congestion, they cater to different needs.Īntihistamines work by blocking histamines - a chemical found in the body cells, which causes swelling and irritation in your nasal tissues. Decongestants are good at providing instantaneous relief, freeing up a constricted nose. If you have taken one of those nasal sprays that are somewhat uncomfortable but seem to work in an instant, you likely took a decongestant. Mostly found in tablet and liquid form, antihistamines are good at relieving and preventing the symptoms of allergies, runny noses, itches and hay fever. If you have fallen victim to uncontrollable sleepiness after taking one of those “drowsy pills” for your stuffy nose, you likely took an antihistamine. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but more importantly, they work very differently and may tend to your needs differently. They come in various forms, including tablets, nasal sprays, oral liquids and eye drops. Treatment for a stuffy nose: Antihistamines or Decongestants?Īntihistamines and decongestants are both over-the-counter drugs that can relieve nasal congestion.

Worried that your stuffy nose could be a symptom of COVID-19? Ease your fears, assess your risk and address your concerns with MyDoc’s COVID-19 Clinic. These changes may cause the tissue inside the nose to become inflamed, dry or even bleed. Pregnant women may experience this during the end of their first trimester. Nasal congestion may also occur during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations and a surge in blood supply.

Non-cancerous growth called nasal polyps, including benign tumours in the nasal passages.

Chronic sinusitis (a long-lasting sinus infection).

Some underlying causes of nasal congestion that lasts longer than a week are: If your stuffy nose has persisted for more than a week, it often indicates an underlying health issue that you need to look into and get appropriate treatment. This includes minor illnesses like the common cold or sinus infection, which will typically improve within a week. Nasal congestion can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the tissues inside the nose.

Nasal congestion is a very common condition. Nasal congestion, commonly referred to as a stuffy nose, is the obstruction to the flow of air in and out of the nose due to the blood vessels inside the nose becoming inflamed and the tissues inside the nose swelling. But the big question is, which best suits your needs? What’s causing your nasal congestion? With nasal congestion causing the same, tiresome symptoms, it’s easy sometimes to want to reach for the closest solution. While both aren’t wrong, it’s important to understand which will work best and when to take them.Īntihistamines and decongestants are common forms of medication that you can consume for a stuffy nose. One family member might offer a decongestant, while another might suggest that simply eating an orange can ease it due to the antihistamine effects an orange has. Most, if not all of us, have had a stuffy nose and received varied forms of advice from people around us.

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