This article has been peer reviewed. We planned a series of 12 seminars to teach these skills to first-year residents. Various tools were used to test the program. This discussion of the teaching principles applied in planning our seminars might inspire others to develop similar programs. This article has been peer reviewed.
Good evidence supports use of antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, and immunotherapy.
Fewer trials have been done on the new antileukotrienes. Newer antihistamines, developed to replace terfenadine and astemizole which have potential side effects, include loratadine, cetirizine, and the newest, fexofenadine. Intranasal steroid sprays are also effective, particularly for people with nasal stuffiness. The newer steroid sprays, such as fluticasone, budesonide, and mometasone furoate aqueous, however, have not been studied in the same way and are usually recommended for shorter periods. The newest group of medications showing real promise are the antileukotrienes, including zafirlukast and montelukast.