Histamines are what the body uses to fight off bogus enemies like ragweed and pollen. That's what makes your eyes, sinuses, and ear tubes swell. If you give somebody an antihistamine to stabilize those cells, they don't pop off so readily. The histamine cells are supposed to protect from bacteria or virus but this isn't a bacterial infection. This isn't a viral infection. It's just hay, grass, or ragweed. We give them an antihistamine which blocks that cellular release so we don't swell unless there is a real infection. Before people do anything else, they should try over the counter antihistamines. Decongestants are another arm of it, but usually antihistamines will do. If they still have a copious amount of mucus you add a decongestant. Decongestants can affect blood pressure and keep people awake.
