Treatments for allergies
Minimizing and avoiding airborne allergens can often reduce symptoms; often, however, these are not enough and medicine is needed to help control symptoms. The good news is that there are now a great variety of medications, available both over-the-counter (non-prescription) and through your doctor.
Decongestants
Nasal allergies and symptoms are frequently helped by decongestants. Many decongestants, formerly available by prescription, are now available (usually in lower doses) over the counter at the local drugstore, pharmacy or grocery store. Decongestants can often help relieve symptoms in the sinus area like swelling, congestion, pain, and secretions like runny nose. A decongestant is sometimes recommended to reduce congestion allong with an antihistimine for allergic symptoms.
Note: Decongestant nose drops or sprays should not be used for more than just a few days. Longer, continuous use can actually worsen symptoms like swelling of nasal passages.
Antihistimines
There are a variety of non-prescription antihistimes to counter the effects of histamine and allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal swelling, and runny nose. For many people, these medications have made living with allergies and allergy symptoms much easier. Many of these antihistimines now do not induce some of the side effects of earlier antihistimines (like drowsiness), but it is always important to check with your doctor and read the labes carefully for specific possible side effects and cautions when using them.
Nasal steroids and cromolyn sodium
Nasal steroids are a group of anti-inflammatory medications that can stop an allergic reaction and help contain nasal swelling and mucous secretion. Nasal steroids can also be combined with antihistimines, which many find an effective way to treat moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray that has very few side effects when used as directed, and helps stop the release of histamines. Rather than waiting for symptoms, use of cromolyn sodium can sometimes help prevent the onset of allergic rhinitis
Allergy shots or immunotherapy
In order to reduce allergy symptoms over a longer period of time, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be necessary for some. A person receives injections of increasing concentrations of the specific allergen in order to reduce the level of IgE antibodies in the blood and induce the body to produce IgG, a protective antibody that can reduce symptoms. Up to 85% of allergic rhinitis sufferers will experience reduced symptoms and reduced need for other allergy medications within a year of beginning immunotherapy.
