Allergic Reactions to Cold and Allergy Medicines

Cold and allergy medicines treat symptoms of the common cold and seasonal allergies such as nasal irritation, irritated eyes and sneezing, according to the Mayo Clinic. They are especially popular during the winter and spring months, since that's when colds and allergies are at their peak. Although cold and allergy medicines are generally considered safe for healthy adults, you should take precautions and talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication.

Drugs

• Most cold and allergy medications sold over the counter contain antihistamines, decongestants, pain relievers and/or cough suppressants. Antihistamines are generally used to treat allergy symptoms by inhibiting the release of histamine in the body. Decongestants are administered to treat nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Pain relievers are taken for fever, body aches, chills, sinus pain and a sore throat. Cough suppressants are used to treat a continuous cough, but may not be an effective solution, according to familydoctor.org.

Types of Reactions

• There are two types of allergic reactions you can experience taking cold and allergy medicines: mild or severe. A mild allergic reaction may result in hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips. A severe allergic reaction may result in a severe asthma attack where you are not able to breathe, and experience chest pain and wheezing. In rare cases, if you are severely allergic to the medication, you may experience anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock is an entire-body allergic reaction that can lead to death.

Prevention

• The best preventive measure is to talk with your doctor before using any over-the-counter medicines. Many medications contain more than one drug, and if you don't read and understand the contents of the medication, you could easily overdose or mix drugs. If you are on any medications, disclose them to your doctor before taking any other medication. Learn what the different drugs are so you can understand the labels.

Warning

• CNN reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concludes that children younger than 6 should not take cold medicines without a doctor's recommendation. The FDA found that the use of common cold medicines in children is not effective and could potentially cause serious complications. If your child is experiencing cold and allergy symptoms, talk with your pediatrician about appropriate treatment.

Considerations

• Certain cold and allergy medicines may make you drowsy. Read the warning and side effect sections of the label before taking any medication. If you become sleepy, do not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery, as you could cause harm to yourself or others.