Whether it’s a rogue sneeze on your morning walk or an annoyingly itchy throat crashing your Zoom call, it seems like allergy season sneaks up on its unsuspecting victims, year after year. All of a sudden, the pollen is high, your patience is low, and you’re tearing through your bathroom drawers in search of a single non-expired antihistamine.
That’s why it pays to prep for the sneezing spiral—and it doesn't take much effort. A stocked medicine cabinet can be the difference between powering through your day or becoming one with the couch, surrounded by tissues and regret. To find out how to stay one step ahead, we tapped Bindiya Gandhi, MD, an integrative and functional medicine doctor. Her biggest tip? Don’t wait to take on allergy season.
“Everyone should stock up in advance to help with allergies before they hit you hard,” she says. “Prevention and preparation are always key.” And she’s not just talking pills and sprays—Dr. Gandhi takes a whole-body approach. That means making sure you’re eating a surplus of foods rich in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids, keeping water intake high, and swapping out that dusty old HEPA filter.
The good news? Everything Dr. Gandhi recommends is easy to find at CVS—and with tons of options in-store and online (with same-day delivery, of course) and plenty of weekly deals, you can save big while you prep for the season.
Claritin 24HR Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief Tablets
$50
7% off
Claritin is one of Dr. Gandhi’s go-to staples because it works without making you drowsy—but she doesn’t rely on it alone. “My husband and I alternate antihistamines because your body gets used to [one], so you have to have a few different ones to alternate with throughout the year,” she says. Consider this your reminder to rotate your meds like your wardrobe, seasonally and strategically.
Claritin Children's Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief Liquid
$16
Your little ones may need relief from the annoyance of allergies too, which is why Dr. Gandhi always keeps a bottle of Claritin Children's in her medicine cabinet. The liquid formula makes it easy to dose, and the non-drowsy factor means they can still run wild, sans sniffles.
HumanN SuperBeets Heart Chews
$40
Beyond symptom relief, Dr. Gandhi keeps these chews in her allergy toolkit to stay proactive and preventative throughout the season. Dr. Gandhi backs up that they support blood flow, and in turn heart-healthy energy. Bonus: They’re pomegranate-berry flavored (um, yum).
CVS Health Ibuprofen Liquid-Filled Softgels
$28
This multipurpose must-have covers all the bases: fevers, aches, pains, and headaches. Dr. Gandhi never leaves home without it, especially when she travels. Just be sure to check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to take. When that first sniffle hits, you’ll be glad your cabinet’s ready for anything.
Hey wellness seeker! Friendly reminder that—like all of wellness—the supplements you take are personal. Well+Good always recommends checking in with your healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your routine.
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