Antihistamines are medications used for the treatment of allergies, cold and flu symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, hives, runny nose and more. These medications are available by prescription and over the counter. Warning labels...
When you encounter a substance to which you are allergic, your body releases histamines, which stimulate an immune response. As a side effect of the immune response, you'll get congested, start sneezing, experience a runny nose or develop hives....
Histamines are chemicals made by the body during an allergic attack and cause congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itching. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine action, causing a reduction in symptoms. Choosing the right antihistamine...
The skin under your eyes is thinner than other parts of your body. When fluid accumulates under thin skin, swelling occurs and blood vessels become more apparent. This can make your eyes look dark and puffy. Irritation or discomfort may also...
Taking antihistamines is the normal response to having hives. However, if you're breastfeeding, anything you ingest appears in your breastmilk. The "American Family Physician" in July 2001 suggests taking any antihistamine immediately after...
Antihistamines can be found over the counter at most drugstores in the U.S. and some types are available by prescription only. They come in a variety of forms including pills, tablets, liquid and powder. Seasonal allergy sufferers often turn to...
Antihistamines are a common medication used to treat allergy symptoms that affect the nose, eyes and throat, according to NHS.uk. Most antihistamines are available over-the-counter in pill form for use without a prescription. Antihistamines are...
Two common medications used as sleep aids are diphenhydramine and zolpidem. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that causes sleepiness and fatigue; it is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter allergy medicine, Benadryl. Zolpidem is the...
Histamine is a chemical produced by your immune system. A specific antibody -- IgE or immunoglobin E -- binds with mast cells and leukocytes, especially in the respiratory system. When IgE comes in contact with an allergen such as dust or pollen,...
Most people experience dry mouth, which feels as though there is not enough saliva in the mouth, at least occasionally. Some common causes include taking antihistamines or other medications that dry out the mucus membranes, breathing through your...
You tend to get excessive histamines in your system when eating fish. It occurs most often in tuna, mackerel, kingfish and marlin, though it can appear in other fish is well. It has also been known to appear in certain kinds of cheese, such as...
Nasal inflammation causes your immune system to release histamines and leukotrienes, with accompanying mucous and the irritation of a "runny nose." Antihistamines combat the production of histamines, which is often caused by allergic rhinitis....
Your eyes are one of the first things people notice, and dark circles under your eyes can quickly detract from your appearance and make you look tired. There are several potential causative factors that may lead to the dark circles. Talk to your...
If you develop headaches after eating wheat, it is most likely related to nasal congestion from a wheat allergy. If you have an allergy to wheat, the increased levels of histamine in the sinus cavity cause irritation that leads to inflammation and...
When an allergy-causing substance (allergen) enters the body, it usually triggers the release of histamine as part of an allergic reaction. Depending upon the location in the body, histamine can produce diverse symptoms. In the nose, it may cause...
A number of factors can contribute to dark circles under the eyes. These include allergies, fatigue, anemia, nasal congestion and stress. In addition, dark circles can be hereditary and more noticeable as you age, because skin gets thinner,...
If an area of your neck is itchy and red, it is possible that you have a rash. According to the Mayo Clinic, rashes such as hives or poison ivy may clear up on their own, while rashes from scabies and dermatitis may require prescription...
Cracked, dry feet are a painful nuisance that sometimes leads to infection. If you are diabetic and have any problems with your feet, see your doctor right away, as you may be prone to serious complications. If you are not diabetic, you may be...
Allergies represent an overreaction of your body's immune system to an irritant such as pollen, dust mites, cat and dog dander, mold and stinging insects. Exposure to an allergen sets off a reaction that produces histamines, chemicals that cause...
Allergy testing is a way to identify what types of allergens--for example, food, dust, pollen or animal dander--are causing sneezing, wheezing and breathing problems in a person. Allergy testing may be performed as a blood test, an allergen...
Allergies refer to a hypersensitive reaction to a certain substance. You may be allergic to foods, certain metals, pollen or even certain medications. Your body reacts to these substances as if they are something foreign and starts to develop a...
Your doctor may prescribe atenolol as a beta-blocker to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). As a beta-blocker, atenolol can relax your blood vessels and slow your heart rate while lowering your blood pressure. The National Instututes of...
Dark circles under the eyes are usually harmless and may be caused by sun damage, allergies, inadequate sleep, the natural aging process or water retention. The best treatment option depends on the cause of the circles under the eyes and ranges...
Fatigue from a wheat allergy can be related to excessive inflammation in the sinus cavity. During an allergic reaction to wheat, the body creates immunoglobulin E antibodies to fight off the proteins in wheat. This action triggers mast cells to...
Sea sickness is a common name given to motion sickness that occurs on a boat. Sea sickness symptoms include nausea and dizziness. Cold sweats and vomiting are also common with sea sickness. MayoClinic.com suggests that the more a person travels by...
Swollen eyes can occur after running due of a number of factors. This typically is not a cause for concern. Allergies are one of the most common reasons. Others include body temperature and blood flow. The delicate capillaries in the tissues...
Puffy eyes affect both women and men, become more common with increasing age and are rarely cause for medical concern. Most cases of puffy eyes are intermittent and can be treated at home with lifestyle and dietary changes. Puffy eyes that develop...
"An estimated one in three Americans suffers from seasonal or year-round allergies caused by pollen, mold, insects, dust mites and other common irritants," according to CBS News. Allergy shots are a serious of injections of a particular allergen...
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction that primarily affects the sinus cavity and the eyes, according to MedlinePlus. Hay fever is triggered by different allergens such as pollen, dust or mold. Hay fever affects some people...
Eczema is a skin disease that causes red, flaky patches. Get expert tips and advice on skin diseases in this medical video.
Pink eye is an inflammation of the white of the eye sometimes caused by a virus or bacteria and sometimes by an allergic reaction. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating pink eye in this video.
