Seasonal allergies are often worse in the spring and summer, but can also occur year round. Depending on the individual, seasonal allergies may trigger symptoms such as sneezing, itchy watery eyes, coughing and nasal congestion. For some, over the counter medications can keep the symptoms of seasonal allergies under control. However, those who have more severe allergy problems may require prescription medications to relieve these symptoms. These are some of the different prescription medications that are used to treat seasonal allergies.

Oral Medications 

Oral medications may be prescribed to those who have seasonal allergies. Antihistamines are most commonly prescribed because they help relieve sinus congestion, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing, as well. Decongestants may also be used for those who suffer from coughing and chest congestion.

Nasal Sprays 

Prescription nasal sprays are also used to treat patients who suffer from seasonal allergies. Fluticasone nasal spray has become one of the most commonly prescribed nasal spray treatments for seasonal allergy symptoms.

Fluticasone nasal spray is a corticosteroid medication that is often preferred instead of over the counter nasal sprays because it is less likely to become addictive. This medication helps relieve inflamed nasal passageways, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. Click here for more info.

Prescription Eye Drops 

Seasonal allergies can also cause severe irritation of the eyes. This is often triggered by pollen and other airborne irritants. Over the counter eye drops may help with redness, but may not prevent irritation, swelling and itchiness from reoccurring. Therefore, a prescription antihistamine eye drop is often necessary to better manage these symptoms.

Allergy Shots 

For those who suffer from a variety of different severe seasonal allergy symptoms, allergy shots may be the only treatment that helps. Depending on the treatment plan for the individual, allergy shots are usually administered on a specifically scheduled regular basis.

Allergy shots are a more aggressive way to treat seasonal allergy symptoms and may not require the patient to take other allergy medications. Allergy shots may also be given to those who experience adverse side effects from using other types of allergy medications.

Before a physician determines which type of prescription allergy medication is best for the patient, an allergy test may be given. This may involve having a skin prick test performed. In this test, the patient has patches of skin pricked on his back or forearm and drops of various allergens are applied to the skin to see which ones cause an allergic reaction. This test reveals if the patient is allergic to pollen, trees, weeds, pet dander and other common allergens.