Experts from GA2LEN, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, and EAACI, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, warn that the older antihistamines in over-the-counter allergy medications — the most common form of self-medication in allergic rhinitis — may be hazardous to our health.

A joint report to be published in Allergy reviews new data on the treatment of allergies with older antihistamines compared with newer, second-generation H1-antihistamines. The research was funded by GA2LEN, an EU-funded Network of Excellence.

The findings suggest that first-generation H1-antihistamines not only make patients drowsy, but also reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, impair learning, and reduce efficiency at work the next day. In addition, first-generation H1-antihistamines have been implicated in numerous civil aviation, motor vehicle, and boating accidents, and even deaths as a result of accidental or intentional overdosing in infants and young children. First-generation H1-antihistamines have also been linked to suicide cases in both teenagers and adults.

New generation antihistamines on the contrary have shown an equivalent efficacy to treat symptoms while clinical studies and patients report fewer adverse effects. The review ultimately questions whether, for consumer protection reasons, first generation H1-antihistamines should still be available as over-the-counter self-medication.

Antihistamines are most frequently used drugs for treating seasonal and chronic allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis. More than 30% of the EU and US population are potential users, safety is thus paramount.

Source: Science Daily, “Dangers of Older Allergy Drugs Often Underestimated and Overlooked” (Feb, 2010).

I’m sorry to hear about your allergies — the sneezing, red eyes, difficulty breathing, and all those other symptoms of allergies can really throw a wrench in life!

To find out if you can be cured permanently, you need to talk to a specialist. I suspect a permanent cure depends on the reasons for your allergies, what you’re allergic to, your environment, and your ability to change your surroundings to ease the symptoms.

I wish I could be more helpful, but you really need to talk to a doctor or allergies specialist to figure out if there’s a cure for your specific type of allergy and symptoms.

Laurie

Sorry for your dust mite and mould allergies — they can make life so complicated!

Most natural product distributors (eg, LastingPlanet.org, GrassRoots Store, GreenHome, etc) manufacture or sell their own type of dust mite product or natural cleaning products. The best thing (and unfortunately the most expensive) is to try each product until you find what works for you. Some people will find that a certain product works as an allergy treatment, while others find it doesn’t help at all. So, I suggest trying something new to you — one product at a time — until you find the key.

Have you heard of Diatomaceous Earth? Here’s the link to an article about it — it’s a natural way to get rid of dust mites and other things that cause allergies.

Natural Solutions for Fleas…and More

And here’s a link to a great article about dust mites — especially the section about eliminating dust mites in your home, about halfway through the article:

Dust Mites: A Microscopic Threat to Your Family’s Health

I hope this helps a little — I’m sorry I don’t have anything specific to recommend! If anyone else does, please do comment here…

Laurie