Kevin Veverka is allergic to everything. In a recent allergy test he found that out of the 50 allergens he was tested for, he was severely allergic to all of them.
"(Allergies) can make my day miserable," said Veverka, a freshman in mechanical engineering. "You never know what day will be good. Some days I can breathe through both nostrils, some I go through a whole box of Kleenex."
The spring is a bad time for Veverka because of the blooming trees and pollen, he said.
"Food allergies I can stay away from, but in the spring you can't stay away from trees and pollen," he said.
Veverka is not alone. College students can be particularly susceptible to spring allergies, but there are ways for students to medicate themselves.
"Allergies shift for college students. Like if you moved here from California, the pollen is different and suddenly someone who never had allergies before is feeling miserable," said Will Finnegan, a senior in the doctor of pharmacy program and Wilce Student Health Center pharmacist. "Don't just assume (the allergies) will go away."
Non-medicinal aids
For milder allergies, Laura Clark, another pharmacist and senior in the doctor of pharmacy program, recommends products that do not have medicine in them.
"Two products I recommend would be saline nasal spray for mild congestion, and something called artificial tears to help with itchy watery eyes," said Clark.
Antihistamines, decongestants
Antihistamine eye drops such as the over-the-counter Zatidor are effective against itchy red eyes, Clark said.
To help with the other symptoms, oral antihistamines such as Claritin and Allegra can be used.
Medicines such as these can be used to help get through the school day, while medicines such as Benadryl should be used at night since they cause drowsiness, Finnegan said.
"We have a lot of kids that come in and are just miserable," he said. "I tell them to take a Benadryl and get some sleep."
Common decongestants such as Sudafed or Claritin D require that students without a prescription be prepared to show their I.D. and sign upon purchase.
For serious allergies
Corticosteroids are an option for more severe symptoms.
"(They) can prevent and relieve allergies," Clark said. "Most are prescription items."
Common corticosteroid products are nasal sprays such as Nasonex and eye drops such as Pred Forte, she said.
"Nasal sprays need to be taken every day, not when you think you need it," Finnegan said.
Even stronger corticosteroids may be needed for severe allergies. Medicines such as Albuterol are bronchodilators used to clear the airways.
For more severe allergies that may not be helped by these medicines, students need to make sure they do not have an infection, said Finnegan. If students have a fever, and/or green or yellow thick discharge, they might need to see a doctor.
Veverka was asked if he wanted to use the allergy shots, which are proven to be more effective for constant allergies.
"It would be a hassle to get shots every week, and I've had allergies my whole life," Veverka said. "I'm used to it now. I can deal with it."
For all questions regarding medicines and treatments, contact your personal physician or the Wilce Student Health Center at 614-292-4321.
Everdeen Mason can be reached at mason.388@osu.edu.
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