What is a Board-Certified Allergist?

Board certified allergists are specialists who have met the highest level of nationally-recognized standards for education and expertise in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology. This formal and lengthy education process is necessary to cultivate the expertise required to provide the highest-quality of care for patients with allergies and asthma. By achieving board certification, allergists demonstrate their commitment to excellence and expertise in their field, which translates to state-of-the-art, evidence-based care.

What are the Benefits of Seeing a Board Certified Allergist?

Board certification tells you that your doctor has attained the highest level of expertise to treat your health issues.

How do you find a Board-Certified Allergist?

When you start searching for an allergist/immunologist, it’s important to make sure you find a doctor you are comfortable with and you can trust. Search online for information about the doctors you are considering and ask people you trust for names of physicians they recommend. Then visit Certification Matters and enter your doctor’s name to determine if he or she is board-certified. This is a service that allows you to see if a specific doctor is certified.

Can you detect allergies through a blood test?

Yes. When you become allergic to an allergen, your body creates special antibodies to fight against it. These allergic antibodies are called IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies are formed in the bone marrow and travel in the bloodstream before being deposited in the skin and other tissues where they remain for weeks to months. Although allergy skin tests are considered the gold standard for allergy testing, blood testing can also be used to measure IgE antibodies circulating in your bloodstream

What types of tests are there for allergies?

There are three main ways to get tested for allergies: Skin Tests – Skin tests are commonly used to identify many potential allergens, including airborne, food-related, and contact allergens. Blood Tests – If you are not a candidate for an allergy skin test, your allergist may suggest a blood test. Elimination Diet – To detect which foods are causing an allergic reaction, your allergist may recommend an elimination diet. This involves removing certain foods from your diet and determining if you're symptoms improve, and then adding the food back to see if you have a reaction.

Do allergy tests hurt?

The skin prick or scratch test and intradermal test may cause slight discomfort. If you are sensitive to any of the allergens being tested, your skin may itch where the allergen was placed.

How can you treat non-life threatening allergic reactions at home?

The first step is to avoid the allergen if you know what triggers a reaction. But if an allergic reaction occurs, there are several ways to treat them at home: Antihistamines – Helps treat minor allergic reactions regardless of the cause. Anti-inflammatory Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) can help temporarily reduce allergy symptoms. Saline Sinus Rinse – If your allergies cause sinus problems, it’s recommended to rinse your sinuses with saline to clear the allergens from your airways. Skin Allergy Treatments – If a skin allergy occurs, you can apply corticosteroid creams or calamine lotion to reduce symptoms, an ice pack can also help reduce inflammation and allergy symptoms.

How long does an allergy test take to administer?

Not very long. The skin prick and intradermal tests are performed in the allergist’s office and take about 20 minutes total. Your skin may start to show reactions to certain allergens such as foods, environmental allergens or insect venoms. Patch tests are used to identify if a chemical may be the cause of delayed skin rashes. The patches are applied and worn for about 48 hours and then removed. Blood tests results may take up to a week to return from the laboratory.

Are hay fever and allergic rhinitis the same thing?

Yes, allergic rhinitis is simply the proper medical term for hay fever. “Hay fever” is somewhat of a misnomer since allergic rhinitis is usually not caused by hay, nor does it result in a fever.

When is hay fever the worst in Jacksonville?

The mild temperatures in Northeast Florida mean that trees start producing spring pollen early in our area– in some years as soon as December. Unfortunately, the Jacksonville area does not really have a hay fever “off-season.” Our warm winters and early springs mean that allergic rhinitis sufferers may be exposed to pollen year-round.

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Thomas Lupoli, D.O.

Are Your OTC Allergy Meds Doing More Harm Than Good? An Allergist’s Guide

are otc allergy meds more harm than good

The Over-the-Counter (OTC) Trap

If you’re like many people in Jacksonville, seasonal allergies are part of your daily life. When pollen counts spike or mold flares up after summer rain, your first stop may be the pharmacy. A box of pills or a quick nasal decongestant spray are an easy fix.

At first, you may notice some relief—less sneezing, fewer headaches, a little less congestion. But after weeks or months, you may start to realize something: you still don’t feel great. The fatigue lingers and it may be harder to focus. Some days your nose feels even more blocked than before.

That’s because while over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications can help manage symptoms, relying on them long-term has a potential downside. The truth is, many people are masking their allergies instead of treating them, and for some, the side effects of OTC allergy medicine can quietly chip away at your quality of life .

The good news? With the right diagnosis and proper allergy treatment plan, you can take fewer medications and still feel better. That’s where an Allergist steps in to provide the best allergy treatment Jacksonville has to offer: care designed for long-term relief, not quick fixes.

The Hidden Price of Daily Dosing

The Side Effects of OTC Allergy Medicine

Not all allergy medications are created equal. The type you choose—and how often you use it—can have a significant impact on how you feel.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are often the first line of defense against allergy symptoms. Older versions, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are known for making you drowsy. While they may stop sneezing, they can also leave you groggy, forgetful, and less alert .

Newer antihistamines (like loratadine or cetirizine) cause less sedation, but daily use can still lead to fatigue, dry mouth, and even problems with concentration. Recent research has raised concerns that long-term use of older antihistamines may affect brain health.

Decongestants and Nasal Sprays

Decongestants, whether in pill form (like pseudoephedrine) or nasal sprays, provide quick relief by shrinking swollen nasal passages. The danger is what happens if you rely on them too much.

Using fast-acting decongestant nasal sprays for more than three days can trigger a medical condition called rhinitis medicamentosa, or rebound congestion. In other words, your nose feels even more stuffy once the nasal spray wears off, leading you to use it again and agai .

Long-Term Concerns

Daily medication isn’t just inconvenient. Over time, it can contribute to side effects that affect more than your nose, including sleep disruption, heart palpitations, or even increased blood pressure in sensitive individuals .

When “Good Enough” is the Wrong Medication

You may assume that if you can tolerate your allergies with OTC medication, then you’re managing just fine. But many people are actually using the wrong medications without realizing it.

Misdiagnosis: Not every runny nose is due to allergies. Chronic sinusitis or non-allergic rhinitis can mimic allergy symptoms but won’t improve with most OTC meds .
Wrong approach: Taking daily antihistamine pills when the main problem is nasal inflammation won’t fully control symptoms. Likewise, sprays alone may not help with itchy eyes or fatigue.
Masking, not treating: OTC meds manage symptoms in the moment, but they don’t address the underlying immune response to allergens. The trigger is still there, and your body keeps reacting.

What feels like “good enough” or quick relief today could mean years of unnecessary medication use without actual relief.

The Dangers of Overusing Allergy Medicine

When you rely on daily OTC medications, the risks go beyond drowsiness or a dry mouth.

Tolerance and Diminished Effectiveness: Over time, some medications lose their effectiveness. You may notice that the pill you’ve been taking for years just doesn’t work as well. This leads to taking higher doses or combining multiple meds, which increases the chances of side effects .
Financial Costs: Even at $10–20 per box or bottle, year-round purchases add up. Over several years, many patients spend thousands of dollars on meds that only offer partial relief.
Effect on Quality of Life: Brain fog, drowsiness, and rebound congestion don’t just affect your health—they affect your relationships, your work, and your ability to enjoy daily life. Living with constant symptoms can feel exhausting, even if you’re technically “managing” them.

How an Allergy Specialist Redefines Allergy Relief

Go Beyond Guesswork: The Allergist’s Role

An Allergist can give you something no drugstore aisle can: clarity. Through allergy testing such as skin prick or blood tests, an Allergist can pinpoint exactly what’s triggering your allergies .

This allows for a treatment plan that’s precise instead of guesswork. If you’re experiencing the side effects of OTC allergy medicine, an Allergist can also help you safely taper off unnecessary medications while introducing safer, more effective options.

Tailored Solutions for Jacksonville Living

Allergy patterns vary from city to city. In Jacksonville, tree pollen peaks in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and mold thrives in our humid climate. An Allergist understands these patterns and can tailor treatment accordingly.

Beyond daily meds, an Allergist may recommend:

Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops): Retrains your immune system to stop overreacting to allergens.
Prescription medications: which can be more effective with fewer side effects than OTC versions.
Environmental strategies: Guidance for reducing exposure to specific triggers like dust mites, pet dander, and mold.

The goal isn’t more medication—it’s often less. Many patients who switch to a specialist plan eventually reduce or eliminate daily OTC use while enjoying better control of their allergies .

Finding the Best Allergy Treatment Jacksonville Can Offer

The best allergy care doesn’t come from a one-size-fits-all box in the medicine aisle at the supermarket or pharmacy. It comes from understanding your unique triggers, lifestyle, and medical history. When you work with a Jacksonville allergy specialist, you’re choosing long-term relief and a strategy designed for your health, not just short-term symptom control. With the correct approach, you will breathe easier, sleep better, and get off the cycle of over-the-counter medications.

OTC allergy medications may feel like, and sometimes are, a convenient fix, but the possible side effects—from brain fog to rebound nasal congestion—can cause more problems than they solve. Add in the frustration of using the wrong drugs or relying on them for years, and it’s clear why so many patients feel stuck.

The good news is that you don’t have to manage your allergies alone. When you see an allergy specialist you’ll get expert guidance, comprehensive testing, and personalized treatments that actually change how your body responds to allergens.

Ready for a smarter, safer way to manage your allergies? Contact Jax Allergy today to schedule a consultation and find the best allergy treatment Jacksonville has to offer.

FAQs: OTC Allergy Meds & Safer Alternatives

What are the most common side effects of OTC allergy medicine?
Drowsiness, brain fog, dry mouth, trouble urinating, and constipation are common—especially with older antihistamines. Decongestant pills can raise the heart rate or blood pressure, and cause palpitations or anxiety.. Nasal decongestant sprays can cause rebound congestion if used for more than 3 days.

How do I know if I’m overusing allergy medicine?
If you use pills or sprays more than label directions, or feel worse when a nasal decongestant wears off, you may be overusing. That’s a sign to talk with an Allergist about safer, longer-term options.

Do newer (non-drowsy) antihistamines have side effects too?
Yes, although side effects are usually milder and less frequent than with older antihistamines. You may still notice drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, or reduced focus.

Can an Allergist help me need fewer medications?
In many cases, yes. Allergists can offer a personalized treatment plan based on your specific allergy testing results, which often includes focus allergen reduction measures, medication consolidation, and allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets) if required.

When should I see a Jacksonville Allergist instead of self-treating?
If your meds stop working, side effects are a problem, symptoms last more than a few weeks, or you need decongestant sprays beyond 3 days, it’s time to see an allergy specialist. We can help you get a precise diagnosis and a plan built for Northeast Florida allergens.

Citations/Resources:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/antihistamine-use/
https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(03)80162-8/fulltext
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy-medications/art-20047403
https://www.ummhealth.org/health-library/allergy-medicines-over-the-counter
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9677884/

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Thomas Lupoli, DO – Board Certified Allergist

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