I’m relatively mature in the sport (6-IMs) and am training for one this year as well. Over the last 12-months, I have been hit with exercise induced allergies when out training. It’s hugely frustrating because I have to quit the workout and go take benedryl and the rest of the day is shot. Has anyone else been hit with this? I’ve talked to an Allergist and having round #2 of the test done but so far, nothing.
Thanks,
Matt
What are the symptoms that you experience while out training? Like lots of sneezing?
Hives and itching.
Matt
Hmmm, now that is interesting. I know there have been some discussions about sneezing fits while training, but I don’t remember anybody talking about itching and hives.
there are better antihistamines to take then Benedryl.
Try Allegra, or Zyrtec maybe even Clariton. Allegra just went generic, Clariton is OTC and zyrtec is still RX for a bit. Benedryl is a sedative/impairing antihistamine, allegra is neither, clariton in higher than recommended doses and zytrec can be in normal doses.
Another treatment option is internasal sprays such as flonase, nasonex or nasacort AQ. You may actually get a combo of both pill and spray.
Hives and Itching - very interesting.
I once ran XC in college with a guy who was allergic to his own sweat. I think he ended up on prednisone.
For Urticaria, stick with either Allegra or Zyrtec or benedryl.
I’m no allergist and can only speak from my personal experience.
As a kid I played outside a lot, yet I still developed seasonal allergies and they got worse over the years. My main symptoms are sneezing and stuffy nose at night. Running an air filter in my room before going to bed helps, as does taking allergy meds BEFORE going outside. Taking them afterwards reduces their effectiveness by 70% I’d say. I don’t know where you live but if you’re having spring weather, it could be seasonal as well.
Currently I take a mix of a nasal spray and claritin for my allergies. As someone else mentioned, there are a plethora of allergy drugs out there, and I’m pretty sure Benadryl is an ancient drug with side-effects - Claritin, Reactine (in Canada) are “generation2” drugs that don’t have fatigue as side-effects. In fact, Claritin Extra (giant tablets) gets me so wired I can’t sleep properly (so I stopped taking it).
An ex-co worker friend of mine experienced rashes and hives on his body for a while and went to the allergist and doctor and they couldn’t find anything wrong. He was convinced it was food related but the rashes kept coming back. All they could suggest was that he was stressed which was more than true - his wife was giving birth to their first child, they were looking to buy a house, and our jobs were on the chopping block (impeeding doom). Any stressors in your life? I don’t think it takes much.
You are saying Allegra will not induce this comma that I have been in the last two days due to Benedryl (generic equivalent)? Does it work just as well for pollen sneezing?
I finished a run Sunday afternoon and sneezed non-stop for 5 minutes until I finally got enough water through my nose to relieve it. Three Benedryl later and I am on the couch for the rest of the day. That was hell.
what is your location? is the pollen count off the chart right now like where I live. pollen and other allergans on your skin can bring up hives.
Running in neighbourhoods with newly applied pesticide on the lawns gave me the same symptoms as you…esp in the evenings
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I’m in Kaysville, Utah. I was hugeld discouraged when I read this article…http://runningtimes.com/rt/articles/?id=7006&page=3&c=104. Maybe there is no cure.
Matt
I have bad allergies (that so far have not been exacerbated by exercise, thank god) and I only use Benadryl for those times that nothing else has helped - like a 12 hour sneezing session. I always wonder, afterwards, whether the cure was worth it - no sneezing, but can’t stay awake.
I find the best way to avoid my allergies is to regularly take an OTC antihistamine like Claritin (or its generic equivalents).
dude, yes.
Go talk to your doctor or allergist. There are A lot of options out there and you have to find out what works for you.
For instance, Claritin regular does nothing for me, same with Reactine but Claritin Extra is amazing (except for the fact that it keeps me wired). Allegra KILLS me - it causes my sinus to become clogged and gives me huge headaches (I’ll NEVER take it again). Benadryl is ok but as you say it can cause drowsiness. Currently I take one spray per nostril of Nasonex and a Claritin Liberator BEFORE going outside.
You also can research allergy desensitization shots. I did this for three years with minor success. The symptoms subdued considerably but they came back after I stopped. Also, I was getting really tired of going in once a month for the dosage and I don’t have a clinic near me anymore (I was doing it while I was in school). When I started I was getting 3 shots 3 times a week. In most cases you also have to sit in the waiting room for a 1/2 hour afterwards just in case you experience a reaction to the shots.
If you have any doctor friends ask them for samples - you can try a variety of drugs without wasting the money on big packs.
Do you have this year round or like right now when the pollen counts are high?
you people taking benedryl during the day worry me a bit. I hope you are not driving. benedryl is a sleeping pill that treats allergies as a side effect.
I seem to get the symptoms in the summer/spring but I also get them when I’m inside running on a treadmill or riding on my trainer.
Thanks,
Matt
I posted a lengthy description of the differences between 1st and 2nd generation antihistamines in a thread once with info about both efficacay and side effects. But this is a quick recap.
The fexofenadine (Allegra) molecules are too large to cross the BBB. It really is the only antihistamine on the market, prescription or OTC where it is safe to take in above recommended doses with out causing sedation or impairment. There are multiple studies where placebo has caused significant higher sedation rates than Allegra even when Allegra was given at above recommended doses. Both Clariton and Zyrtec can cause sedation at above recommended doses and recommended doses respectively.
Benedyl is a sedative 1st generation anti-histamine, Allegra, Clariton and Zyrtec are considered 2nd Generation antihistamines.
Dr. Desert Dude,
I’m a fellow Phoenician with a snot problem. After 30 minutes outside on the bike or run, my nose turns into a faucet of snot for the rest of the ride. Do not draft off me at IMAZ or you will be covered in slime. I’ve been on prescription Allegra D for 2 months with no help. What should I try next?
Well just so you know, I’m not doing IMAZ. I’d add a internasal steroid like flonase, nasonex, nasacort AQ or rhinocort AQ to your tx regiment.
btw I’m not a doctor