Online allergy management with a doctor you choose

Experts estimate that 1 in 6 Americans suffer from allergies, making it one of the most common health issues in the country. While prescriptions and over-the-counter allergy medicines can manage symptoms that occur with exposure, allergen immunotherapy exposes patients to those allergens strategically to train the body not to overreact.

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How to get care and medication for allergies online

Here are the steps. We try our best to make them extra simple:

  1. Subscribe to HealthTap
  2. Make your video visit with a HealthTap doctor licensed in your state
  3. Discuss your allergy symptoms and get the right treatment
*Some tests may require you to make an in-person visit to one of our partner labs.

Learn more about the basics of allergy symptoms and what options (including over-the-counter allergy medicines) can help treat them.

Geoffrey Rutledge

Geoffrey Rutledge, MD, PhD, FACMI

Cofounder and Chief Medical Officer, HealthTap

Frequently asked questions

What causes seasonal allergies (hay fever)?

Hay fever can be caused by many environmental triggers, including hay! The term got its name from the period in late summer when hay is harvested. If you're experiencing seasonal allergies, you are probably reacting to one of the following:

  • Pollen
  • Dust mites
  • Pet dander
  • Mold spores

Seasonal allergies are often hereditary. If your parents or siblings have allergies, you're more likely to suffer from them as well.

Often people with seasonal allergies also have asthma. They may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?

Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. The most common include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Watery and itchy eyes
  • Itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
  • Ear congestion
  • Postnasal drainage

Less common symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing

Can allergies cause a fever?

No, however, allergy symptoms can make you vulnerable to a sinus infection which can lead to a fever.

Can allergies cause sore throat?

Yes, allergies can cause a sore throat. After exposure to an allergic trigger, your body releases chemicals called histamines into your bloodstream. Histamines can cause symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, postnasal drip and coughing - which can lead to a sore throat.

Can allergies cause a cough?

Yes, allergies can cause a cough. Allergy coughs are caused by irritation of the airways. Allergies like hay fever can cause a chronic dry cough. Sensitivities to dust, pet dander, pollen, or mold may trigger a cough. Some allergy patients also have asthma, so may cough from either condition.

How are allergies treated?

In most cases over-the-counter medications like Claritin or Zyrtec will resolve mild allergy symptoms. However, prescription medications like Singulair, Nasonex, or Patanol often provide additional help. Your HealthTap doctor can recommend the right allergy medications for you.

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Allergy medications prescribed online

Allergy prescriptions like Nasonex, Clarinex or Singulair are not available without first seeing a doctor. There also are over-the-counter medications available. HealthTap doctors are online 24/7 to help you find the best treatment.

Allergy medications may include:

  • Astelin (azelastine)
  • Clarinex (desloratadine)
  • Flonase (fluticasone)
  • Nasonex (mometasone)
  • Omnaris (ciclesonide)
  • Patanol (olopatadine)
  • Singulair (montelukast)
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Our members love us

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21K+ reviews

My first experience was excellent. I was on the phone with a Dr in 10 mins, which was a relief as I was having an allergic reaction to a bug bite, but didn't want to go to ER.

Elizabeth R.

From Florida

I started feeling tingly all over and it was late at night and I was getting very concerned. I was able to get on a call with a doctor in less than a minute. And he was able to diagnose my issue as a food allergy and told me to just take Benadryl and go to sleep and it would be gone in the morning. He was correct. And it saved me a lot of worry and possibly what would have been an unnecessary late night visit to the ER.

Eric P.

From Florida

The doctor chatted with me to get my symptoms then called me to understand if I had taken other medications for my sinus infection before contact him. Very nice and professional.

Linda M.

From Illinois

I had great doctor who understood my concerns about allergies and prescribed an appropriate medication for my condition.

Catherine M.

From South Carolina

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Reviewed by:

Geoff

Geoffrey Rutledge, MD, PhD, FACMI

Cofounder and Chief Medical Officer, HealthTap

Dr. Rutledge is a double-board certified physician who practiced and taught medicine for more than 25 years. He attended medical school at McGill University in Montreal, then completed residency training in Internal Medicine at UCSD, and was certified by the boards of Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He earned a PhD in medical computer science from Stanford, was an NIH-funded researcher, and served on clinical and teaching faculty at Harvard, Stanford, and UCSD medical schools. Before co-founding HealthTap, he created the first consumer health website and PHR at Healtheon/WebMD, was SVP of clinical transformation at First Consulting Group, CMIO at San Mateo Medical Center, and EVP, Product Development and Chief Medical Officer at Epocrates.