This post is sponsored by Stallergenes Greer. Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor and this should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your Doctor before starting this, or any other, medication or treatment plan. I am not on ORALAIR® (Sweet Vernal, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Timothy, and Kentucky Blue Grass Mixed Pollens Allergen Extract) Tablet for Sublingual Use; however, I am sharing because I thought it may help one of you.
Grass allergies can cause a lot of discomfort to those of us who suffer from them. Today we are sharing 6 easy tips to help fight seasonal grass allergies and giving some ideas on ways you can relieve symptoms.
Late winter has always been that transition period for us. As the air begins to get warmer and we start moving from inside activities to outdoor ones, there is a lot to consider when it comes to our health. Many of my family members suffer from allergies so this is the time of the year that we gear up for the allergy season.
Allergies are increasing. They affect as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children. Over the years we have dealt with allergies in many different ways. My husband suffered for years and so before we had the kids he would go to the allergy clinic on a regular basis to get injections. He had to get injections for many years and while his allergies are much better than they were (we were finally able to get a dog) he still suffers from allergy flair-ups every once in a while.
Since my allergies weren’t as severe, I can usually treat mine with OTC medicine and a quality air filter for the house. My son has food allergies and we think he might be allergic to a type of grass that we have growing in the backyard.
Did you know that grass allergies are the most common seasonal allergy in the United States, and most people are allergic to more than one type of grass? It is important for everyone to keep this in mind as we move into spring. You might think your child has a cold, but he may, in fact, be allergic to your yard.
Seasonal grass allergies can be difficult to manage, but there are some tricks and tips we have used over the years to manage them.
Here are 6 Easy Tips that may help with your Seasonal Grass Allergies
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Cool your house using air conditioning and not open windows.
- Be sure your kids wear long pants when playing in the grass.
- Change your clothes after playing in the yard or after doing yard work, and consider taking a shower too!
- Wear sunglasses when outside to protect your eyes.
- Consider talking to your doctor about getting a prescription medication such as ORALAIR an under-the-tongue immunotherapy medicine prescribed to treat sneezing, runny nose or itchy eyes due to an allergy to one of the five grass pollens.
If you are one of the many Americans who suffer from grass allergies you may want to ask your doctor about ORALAIR. This medication may be prescribed for persons, 10 to 65 years of age, whose doctor has confirmed are allergic to any of the five grass pollens. ORALAIR is NOT a medication that gives immediate relief of allergy symptoms. ORALAIR is taken about four months before the expected start of the grass pollen season and is continued throughout the grass pollen season.
I can only imagine if we had this medicine 10 years ago when my husband went through his allergy injections, we would have asked his doctor if he was a candidate for this therapy. ORALAIR allows patients to manage their own administration of the medicine. After the first treatment being administered in a healthcare setting by a doctor, patients can then take the medicine at home on a daily basis through allergy season.
ORALAIR does contain a boxed warning and the common side effects. In children and adults, the most commonly reported side effects were itching of the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. These side effects, by themselves, are not dangerous or life-threatening. ORALAIR can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Symptoms of allergic reactions to ORALAIR include: trouble breathing, throat tightness or swelling, trouble swallowing or speaking, dizziness or fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat, severe stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, severe flushing or itching of the skin. For more information, check out: http://www.oralair.com/assets/pdf/ORALAIR%20Med%20Guide.pdf
Seasonal Grass Allergy Myths
There is a lot of misinformation floating around about seasonal grass allergies. I think it is important to educate yourself on what is real and what is a myth.
Stallergenes Greer created this infographic to help educate people about the myths of seasonal allergies.
Please share this infographic with your friends and family and anyone who you might think suffers from grass allergies.
For more information about ORALAIR and to find out if it is right for you, consult your doctor. You can also learn more by visiting ORALAIR’s website.
Happy Spring!
Indications and Usage
ORALAIR (Sweet Vernal, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Timothy, and Kentucky Blue Grass Mixed Pollens Allergen Extract) is a prescription medicine used for sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy prescribed to treat sneezing, runny or itchy nose, nasal congestion or itchy and watery eyes due to allergy to these grass pollens. ORALAIR may be prescribed for persons 10 to 65 years old whose doctor has confirmed are allergic to at least one of these five grass pollens.
ORALAIR is NOT a medication that gives immediate relief of allergy symptoms. ORALAIR is taken about four months before the expected start of the grass pollen season and is continued throughout the grass pollen season.
Important Safety Information
ORALAIR can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Symptoms of allergic reactions to ORALAIR include:
- Trouble breathing
- Throat tightness or swelling
- Trouble swallowing or speaking
- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid or weak heartbeat
- Severe stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Severe flushing or itching of the skin
If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking ORALAIR and immediately seek medical care. For home administration of ORALAIR, your doctor should prescribe auto-injectable epinephrine for you to keep at home for treating a severe reaction, should one occur. Your doctor will train and instruct you on the proper use of auto-injectable epinephrine.
Do not take ORALAIR if you or your child:
- Has severe, unstable, or uncontrolled asthma;
- Had a severe allergic reaction in the past that included trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting, or rapid or weak heartbeat;
- Has ever had difficulty with breathing due to swelling of the throat or upper airway after using any sublingual immunotherapy before;
- Has ever been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis; or
- Is allergic to any of the inactive ingredients contained in ORALAIR.
Stop taking ORALAIR and contact your doctor if you or your child has any mouth surgery procedures (such as tooth removal), develops any mouth infections, ulcers or cuts in the mouth or throat, or has heartburn, difficulty swallowing, pain with swallowing, or chest pain that does not go away or worsens.
In children and adults, the most commonly reported side effects were itching of the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. These side effects, by themselves, are not dangerous or life-threatening.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800- FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Talk to your doctor before using ORALAIR while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.
