Alison Sweeney Tip SheetAlison Sweeney Tip Sheet

Mom, actress and life-long allergy sufferer Alison Sweeney has teamed with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc., to share her personal tips, including ways she keeps her nasal congestion and allergies at bay.

What tips can you share with other busy moms suffering
from nasal congestion and allergies this spring?

Busy moms like me know that it’s not always easy juggling work, family
and other priorities. Add nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms
and it can really slow you down. Here are some things I do to help
manage my allergies in the midst of it all.

  • Avoid Triggers When Possible: Try to avoid triggers that may cause allergies and nasal congestion. For me, cats, pollen and dust can trigger my allergies.
  • Wash Your Hands: Just like you tell your kids, you should wash your hands often. If I come into contact with anything that might be an allergy trigger, I wash my hands right away with soap and water.
  • Act Fast: Be aware of your symptoms so you can quickly recognize when you start experiencing an allergy flare up. This way you can identify your allergy triggers and know what to avoid or be prepared with your allergy or nasal decongestant medication.
  • Be Prepared: Find a nasal decongestant or allergy medication that works for you, have it on you and take it as needed.
  • Know Your Options: If you have questions, talking to your pharmacist about the different decongestant and allergy medicines can help you better understand your options and where to find them in the store. There are decongestant and allergy medicines located on store shelves and behind the pharmacy or service counter. I didn’t know that some allergy and nasal decongestant medicines, including the ones I use, are available behind the pharmacy counter, or “BTC.”
  • If you learn that the medication that you prefer is available “BTC,” don’t worry, you don’t need a prescription.* To purchase it all you need to do is show your I.D. and sign a log book, then you’re on your way!

Why did you get involved in this campaign with the APhA?

I have been a life-long nasal congestion and allergy sufferer. Because of my personal experience, I understand how important it is to manage your nasal congestion and allergies and that finding the right medicines can make a big difference. I’ve had many of my friends ask me how I “do it all” with my allergies and congestion and I’ve found that my tips and story have helped them.

My hope is that this campaign will help many others who suffer from allergies or nasal congestion manage their symptoms. Working with the American Pharmacists Association is key because many people don’t know that there are non-prescription treatments available behind the pharmacy or service counter, or “BTC.” To buy these medicines, which contain a different active ingredient than those medicines on store shelves, you simply have to go to the pharmacy or service counter, show photo id and sign a log book. That’s why I’m helping the American Pharmacists Association and McNeil Consumer Healthcare, get the word out this allergy season.

How do your allergies impact your day?

While my work is different than most people, I think everybody can relate to not wanting nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms to get in the way. One of the worst things for me is that my nasal congestion actually changes the sound of my voice. Also I often get itchy, watery eyes, interrupting a scene...and it doesn’t make my makeup artist happy either. Since we often film outdoors in different locations on my two TV shows I always need to be prepared. Before I leave for the shoot, I have my personal check list: water, my allergy/decongestant medicine and a quick bathroom break. Then I’m on my way! Taking my allergy medicine relieves my symptoms so I can get through the day – whether I’m indoors or outside.

How do you manage your allergies?

I do my best to avoid my allergy triggers, but sometimes it’s just impossible. I don’t want to give up things that are important to me like playing with the kids outside or going to the park, so I just keep my allergy/decongestant medicine with me so I’m prepared. The medicines I use are either ZYRTEC-D® or SUDAFED®, depending on my symptoms. They are located behind the pharmacy counter.

*Excluding Oregon
What happened to some of your favorite allergy, cold and
sinus medicines?