Allergy treatments vary depending on the severity of your condition and the type of allergy you have. If your allergies are severe enough to significantly affect your quality of life, it is important to see a doctor who specializes in allergy treatment to determine what you are allergic to and access all treatment options. Therefore, creating a treatment plan with an allergist will allow you to effectively manage your allergy. Different drugs and methods are used in the treatment of allergies. In this article, we have written the treatment methods and drugs used for you.
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Nasal Sprays
There are several different nasal sprays that can help temporarily relieve sinus-related symptoms.
Steroid sprays: Nasal steroid or corticosteroid sprays work by reducing sneezing, inflammation, swelling, and mucus in the nasal passageways. Nasal steroids are especially helpful for severe or persistent symptoms, but it can take 7 to 10 days for them to start taking effect. Nasal steroid sprays are generally safe for adults, and some types are safe for children ages 2 and older.
Antihistamine sprays: Antihistamine sprays can treat allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose.
Decongestant sprays: Decongestant sprays can temporarily relieve nasal congestion, but are not recommended for the treatment of chronic allergies. People who use decongestant sprays may develop a tolerance to them. Therefore, these sprays should be used in a controlled manner.
Saline nasal sprays: Saline nasal sprays are saline solutions. They can help keep the nose moist and prevent complications of nasal allergies.
Allergy Medicines
As well as nasal sprays that relieve sinus-related symptoms, there are medications that can help reduce your body’s response to allergens. Commonly used drugs include:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine (a chemical in the body that can cause allergy symptoms).
Decongestants
These medications quickly and temporarily relieve congestion by shrinking swollen nasal tissues and blood vessels. They are often prescribed in combination with antihistamines.
Adrenaline Auto Injector
Adrenaline auto-injector, epinephrine is used to treat anaphylaxis, which is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction until emergency treatment is given. Anaphylactic reactions are usually caused by:
- food allergies,
- Insect stings, including bee or wasp venom
- Medicines,
- Latex.
- The epinephrine prescribed by your doctor is available as a single dose in an auto-injector.
Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical emergency, can put you in shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Unconsciousness, drop in blood pressure, severe shortness of breath, skin rash, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy is a form of treatment aimed at preventing allergic reactions by increasing the resistance of the immune system. This is done through controlled exposure to substances to which the person may be allergic. Immunotherapy can be administered as allergy shots, drops, or biologics.
Allergy Vaccines
Allergy vaccines involve injecting small amounts of allergen extracts into the body to stimulate the immune system without causing an allergic reaction. Your doctor may increase the allergen dose over time to help desensitize you to environmental allergies. Your body develops immunity and tolerance after exposure to certain allergens.
Allergy Drops
Allergy drops are also known as sublingual immunotherapy. In this form of immunotherapy, a small dose of the allergen in liquid or tablet form is given under the tongue to increase tolerance and immunity and reduce allergy symptoms.
Biological Drugs
Biologics are another form of immunotherapy used for an ever-expanding list of allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema, sinus disease, and hives. Most are given as injections to target a specific reaction in the immune system and try to prevent it from occurring.
Preventing Allergic Reactions
Preventing allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy you have. First of all, you need to know what you are allergic to. Your allergist will help you understand the type of allergy and the severity of your symptoms with some tests and methods. Once you know your trigger, some additional steps to your treatment plan are helpful in preventing possible reactions. General measures include:
Avoid known triggers
Even if you’re treating your allergy symptoms, try to avoid triggers. For example, if you have a pollen allergy, keep windows and doors closed and stay indoors when pollen counts are high. If you are allergic to dust mites, use materials such as allergen-proof mattress covers.
Read food labels
If you have a food allergy, you may be exposed to the allergen without realizing it. In order to prevent such situations, be sure to read the labels of packaged foods. Do not consume the food you suspect. When you eat at restaurants, be sure to ask about the content of the meal. Also, if you have a severe food allergy, inform the people around you about your allergy.
Wear a medical alert bracelet
If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction, a medical alert bracelet (or necklace) lets others know you have a serious allergy should you react and be unable to communicate.
How Are Allergy Treatments Determined?
There are many conditions that cause allergies, and allergies vary. Symptoms of allergies also vary from person to person. Some people may have mild symptoms, while others may have extremely severe and life-threatening symptoms. Therefore, allergy treatment can also vary from person to person. The type of allergy you have and the severity of your symptom will determine your treatment. The most competent doctors in the treatment of allergic diseases are allergists. Creating a treatment plan with a specialist allergy doctor will allow you to treat your allergy in the best way possible.
