Blog

If you deal with a stuffy nose from allergies, a cold, or sinus pressure, you may have seen 12-hour Sudafed at the pharmacy. Many patients ask us if it helps and how to use it safely.

Here’s a simple guide from Dr. Baxter.

What Is 12-Hour Sudafed?

12-hour Sudafed contains 120 mg of pseudoephedrine, a decongestant.

It works by:

• Shrinking swollen blood vessels in the nose
• Opening nasal passages
• Reducing sinus pressure
• Helping you breathe more easily

Each dose is designed to last about 12 hours, so it can be taken up to two times per day. However, decongestants can cause insomnia, so many patients prefer to take the 12 hour formulation only in the morning. Once a day is often preferable to twice when side effects are considered. 

There are 30 mg and 60 mg doses of pseudoephedrine available as well. Patients who are sensitive to stimulants may prefer the shorter-acting 30 mg dose, which helps for about 4 hours. 

Important: Sudafed does not treat the cause of allergies. It only helps ease symptoms for a short time.

When Patients Use It

Many people use 12-hour Sudafed for temporary relief from:

• Seasonal allergies (pollen, mold, ragweed)
• Indoor allergies (dust, pet dander)
• Sinus pressure or fullness
• Cold-related congestion
• Ear pressure during illness or travel

At Allergy Doctor Dallas, we often discuss Sudafed as a supportive option for short-term symptom relief.

How to Take It Safely

Pseudoephedrine is kept behind the pharmacy counter. You do not need a prescription, but you must show ID.

Safety tips:

• Follow the label directions
• Do not take more than recommended
• Avoid taking it late in the day (it may affect sleep)
• Do not crush or chew 12-hour tablets
• Limit use to short periods unless your doctor advises otherwise

If congestion lasts more than a week, it may be time for a medical evaluation.

Possible Side Effects

Most people tolerate Sudafed well, but some may notice:

• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling nervous or jittery
• Faster heart rate
• Headache
• Dry mouth

Stop use and contact a healthcare provider if you feel chest pain, severe dizziness, or unusual symptoms.

Who Should Talk to a Doctor First?

Sudafed may not be right for everyone. Check with your provider if you have:

• Uncontrolled High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Thyroid disease
• Glaucoma
• Prostate problems
• Anxiety or sleep issues
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding

It can also interact with some medications, including certain antidepressants and blood pressure drugs.

The team at Allergy Doctor Dallas can help you decide what is safe for your health history.

What About Combination Products? 

Often, people like to choose combination products like Allegra D, Zyrtec D, or Claritin D. Some of the products offer a choice between 12-hour and 24-hour products. Patients choose a 12-hour product because the 240 mg dose of pseudoephedrine found in the 24-hour products is simply too much for them. 

Something few patients realize is that the 12-hour products contain only half of a usual dose of Claritin or Zyrtec ( 5 vs 10 mg in both cases ) and only 60 mg vs 180 mg of Allegra.

What this means is that patients taking combo products often need additional antihistamines, so in those cases, they would get more relief from taking separate doses of decongestant and antihistamine. 

This is not an error by the manufacturers. It’s a flaw in the FDA requirements for new formulations that combine 2 medications.

Fun fact: Since 120 mg of pseudoephedrine lasts 12 hours and Zyrtec and Claritin 10 mg doses are approved for 24-hour dosing, the companies are only allowed to include half of the 24-hour dose. In reality, these medications have half-lives of about 14 hours, so re-dosing is often needed, and the 5 mg allowed in the 12-hour combination is completely inadequate to control symptoms. 

Sudafed vs. Allergy Treatment

Sudafed helps with congestion, but it does not control the allergy response.

Long-term allergy care may include:

• Nasal steroid sprays
• Antihistamines
• Allergen avoidance strategies
• Allergy testing
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy)

If you need Sudafed often, your symptoms may not be well controlled.

When to See an Allergy Specialist

Schedule a visit if you have:

• Congestion that lasts weeks or months
• Frequent sinus pressure or infections
• Symptoms that affect sleep or daily life
• Ongoing need for decongestants
• Poor relief from over-the-counter products

At Allergy Doctor Dallas, we focus on identifying the cause of your symptoms and developing a care plan that meets your needs.

The Bottom Line

12-hour Sudafed can provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and sinus pressure. It works best as a short-term, supportive option—not a long-term solution.

If you rely on decongestants often, it may be time to look deeper at the cause of your symptoms.

Need help with ongoing congestion or seasonal allergies?
The team at Allergy Doctor Dallas in Dallas, TX, is here to help you breathe easier with personalized care. Contact us to book your first appointment.

If you love animals but your nose doesn’t, you’re not alone. Many people live with animal allergies in Dallas. The good news? You may not have to choose between your health and the animals you care about.

At Allergy Doctor Dallas, Dr. Baxter helps patients find personalized, supportive care so they can feel more comfortable around pets and other animals.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Are Animal Allergies?

Animal allergies happen when your immune system reacts to proteins from animals. These proteins are found in:

• Dander (tiny flakes of skin)
• Saliva
• Urine
• Fur or feathers

When these particles become airborne, you can breathe them in. Your immune system treats them like a threat, even though they are harmless.

Common Symptoms

Animal allergy symptoms often look like seasonal allergies. You might notice:

• Sneezing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Coughing or wheezing
• Skin rash or hives
• Chest tightness or shortness of breath

Symptoms may start right away or build over time.

When you bring home a new pet, allergen levels start low and increase over several months. They often reach steady levels around six months. Because of this, symptoms may not appear right away.

You can also develop a pet allergy at any time. Even if you’ve had a pet for years, new symptoms can still happen.

Which Animals Cause Allergies?

Any animal with fur or feathers can trigger symptoms. Common sources include:

• Cats
• Dogs
• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Birds
• Horses and farm animals

Fun fact: Fur is not the problem. The real trigger is the protein on the animal’s skin and in its saliva.

This means there is no truly hypoallergenic dog or cat. Even breeds with hair instead of fur still produce skin proteins that can cause symptoms.

Dander in Your Home: Why It Sticks Around

Pet dander levels vary by animal.

• Larger dogs often produce more dander
• Female dogs may trigger fewer symptoms than males
• Cats can vary up to 500 times in how much allergen they produce

If you add a second cat and suddenly have symptoms, the new pet may produce more allergen.

Cat dander is especially persistent. It can stay in a home for months—or even years—after the cat is gone. It settles into carpets, furniture, and dust.

If you have cat allergies, try to ask whether a home or apartment previously had cats before moving in. Lingering allergens can trigger symptoms quickly, especially in small spaces.

New cat foods that reduce the Fel d 1 allergen are now available. They may help lower allergen levels, but existing dander in the home can still cause symptoms.

My favorite story about cat antigen persistence is this: a group of allergists heard that a small island off the coast had not had a living cat present in five years. They traveled to the island and took samples of dust from homes that had previously had cats. Cat dander was still detectable in every home. So if you’re cat allergic, before you rent an apartment or buy a home, do your best to find out if there was a cat there before and avoid it if the answer is yes. I had a patient move into a small building and have severe asthma almost immediately. Fortunately, the landlord had cat allergy asthma too, and he found another tenant to trade apartments so she could stay in the building! 

Why Do Animal Allergies Happen?

Your immune system protects you from harmful germs. With allergies, it becomes overprotective.

When you come into contact with animal proteins, your body releases chemicals like histamine. This leads to:

• Swelling
• Itching
• Mucus
• Airway irritation

Genetics, environment, and repeated exposure all play a role.

If symptoms keep coming back, allergy testing can help identify your specific triggers.

How Dr. Baxter Can Help

Dr. Baxter at Allergy Doctor Dallas is known for her caring, personalized approach. She takes time to understand your symptoms, lifestyle, and exposure to animals.

Your treatment plan may include:

Allergy Testing

• Skin or blood testing to identify animal triggers
• Clear results to guide your care

Medication Support

• Antihistamines
• Nasal sprays
• Eye drops
• Other options to help manage symptoms

Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

• A long-term treatment that helps your immune system become less sensitive over time
• Given on a regular schedule
• Designed to support symptom control and improve comfort

Each plan is tailored to your needs, with the goal of helping you live more comfortably around animals.

Tips to Reduce Exposure at Home

If you have a pet, these steps may help:

• Keep pets out of the bedroom
• Use HEPA air filters
• Wash hands after contact
• Bathe pets regularly (if appropriate)
• Vacuum often with a HEPA vacuum

These changes work best when combined with medical care.

When to See an Allergist

Consider a visit if:

• Symptoms occur around animals
• Over-the-counter medicines don’t help enough
• You avoid pets because of symptoms
• You want long-term management options

At Allergy Doctor Dallas in Dallas, TX, Dr. Baxter helps patients find practical, supportive solutions that fit real life.

Love Animals, Feel Better Around Them

Animal allergies don’t have to control your life. With the right plan, many people feel better and stay close to the animals they love.

If you’re ready to learn your triggers and explore personalized care, the team at Allergy Doctor Dallas is here to help. Contact our office to schedule your first appointment.

If you live with a stuffy or runny nose, you’re not alone. Nasal allergies affect many people in Dallas, TX, especially during high pollen seasons. At Allergy Doctor Dallas, we often see patients who feel worn down by daily symptoms and want clear, steady relief.

Right now, we are in the peak of mountain cedar, also called juniper, season. Texas is one of only three states with pollen in the air all 12 months. Aren’t we lucky?

Four species of juniper are found in North Texas. Red berry juniper pollinates in the fall. Mountain cedar (juniper mexicana), which is an invasive species, pollinates from November through February. Eastern red cedar and Western red cedar pollinate with the spring trees in March and April. Some very sensitive patients have symptoms from September through April if they react to all four types.

This guide explains common nasal allergy symptoms and how allergy shots can be a supportive option for some patients.

What Are Nasal Allergies?

Nasal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, happen when your immune system reacts to things in the air. These triggers are harmless for most people, but your body treats them like a threat.

Common triggers include:

• Tree, grass, and weed pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Pet dander

When you breathe these in, your nose releases chemicals like histamine. That response causes symptoms.

Common Nasal Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms can be mild or intense. They often come and go, which makes them frustrating.

You may notice:

• Sneezing fits
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy nose, eyes, or throat
• Postnasal drip
• Sinus pressure or headaches

For many people, poor sleep and daytime fatigue follow.

Why Symptoms Can Stick Around

Avoiding triggers helps, but it is not always possible. In Dallas, outdoor allergens can stay in the air for long stretches. Indoor allergens, like dust mites, can linger year-round. Over time, your immune system may stay on high alert. That can make symptoms feel constant.

Another challenge this time of year is that viral infections are also circulating. The flu is very active, and the strain of Influenza A currently prevalent in Dallas is particularly severe. Because a newer strain became widespread after this season’s vaccines were produced, the flu shot is not quite as protective as we would like. It still helps, though, and it is not too late to receive one. There is also some COVID circulating.

If you have allergies and then develop a viral illness like influenza or COVID, the existing swelling in your nasal passages can make recovery more difficult. You are at a higher risk of developing a secondary bacterial infection after the virus damages your respiratory membranes. This is what we call a comorbid condition.

A common pattern to watch for is this: if you begin to feel better after your fever breaks and then worsen again around days 6–8, you may have developed a post-viral sinus or bronchial infection. If this happens, please contact our office so we can make sure you receive the treatment you need.

What Are Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots are also known as allergen immunotherapy. They involve regular injections that contain very small amounts of specific allergens.

The goal is to help your immune system become less sensitive over time.

Key points to know:

• Shots are tailored to your allergy test results
• Doses increase slowly under medical guidance
• Treatment follows a set schedule

Allergy shots do not work overnight. They are a long-term, supportive therapy.

How Allergy Shots May Support Symptom Control

For some patients, allergy shots may:

• Reduce how strongly the body reacts to allergens
• Lessen the frequency of nasal symptoms
• Support better day-to-day comfort

Results vary from person to person. Your allergist will review risks, benefits, and expectations before you start.

Who Might Consider Allergy Shots?

You might ask about allergy shots if:

• Symptoms last most of the year
• Medications do not give enough relief
• Allergies affect sleep, work, or school
• You want a long-term management option

A full evaluation helps decide if this approach fits your needs.

Care You Can Trust in Dallas, TX

At Allergy Doctor Dallas, we focus on clear answers and personalized care. We take time to explain your options and support you at every step.

If nasal allergies slow you down, Dr. Barbara Baxter can help you explore safe, evidence-based strategies.