Allergy Relief: Home and Medical Care
The best treatment for any allergy is avoidance: whenever possible, distance yourself from the allergen. Unfortunately, though, many allergens are widespread and difficult to dodge. Pollen can travel great distances. Dust is everywhere. Pet dander can make its way into your home or workplace on other people’s clothes. Avoidance often isn’t enough to provide allergy relief.
Fortunately, a number of treatments can bring you allergy relief. They range from over-the-counter antihistamines and eye drops to nasal steroids and allergy shots. Here’s basic information about different treatment options:
Oral Antihistamines: Clarinex, Claritin and Allegra
Oral antihistamines provide relief from allergy symptoms by counteracting the effects of histamine. Oral antihistamines work well, but tend to make people drowsy. More recent prescription drugs, such as Claritin®,Clarinex®and Allegra®, tend to cause less drowsiness than older antihistamines. Headaches, dry mouth and nose, dizziness and stomach problems are possible side effects. Clarinex has been known to occasionally cause painful menstruation. Claritin is available in both tablet and syrup form.
Diphenhydramine
For mild hay fever symptoms, over-the-counter decongestants that contain diphenhydramine can work as well as prescription drugs. Decongestants can be found in both nasal spray and tablet form. A decongestant nasal spray provides quick relief, but extended use of a medicated nasal spray can actually worsen nasal congestion.
Some prescription drugs, such as Allegra D, are an antihistamine/ decongestant combination.
Nasal Sprays: Nasonex, Flonase and NasalCrom
Nasal steroids are among the most effective forms of nasal allergy relief. Sprayed or inhaled once or twice a day, nasal steroids, such asNasonex® and Flonase®, reduce the inflammation caused by histamine. It takes several days before the full effects of a steroid medication are felt.
Side effects of nasal steroids vary. A stinging sensation in the nose is not uncommon. More serious side effects can result from prolonged use of steroids. They include cataracts, osteoporosis, and growth suppression in children. The frequency of these side effects is not as common as health professionals previously believed, and many people use steroids to control their allergies quite safely.
If you cannot take steroids, other anti-inflammatory sprays are available, including NasalCrom®, which contains cromolyn sodium. Like nasal steroids, they reduce inflammation, but have to be used much more often: up to four doses a day may be necessary.
Allergy Shots and Immunotherapy
Hay fever and stinging insect allergies can often be treated with allergy shots. Small amounts of the allergen are injected into the body. Over time, the allergy shots increase in potency, and the body’s immune system builds up a resistance to the allergen. The process is known as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy takes time: if you’re considering allergy shots, you may require monthly injections for three to five years.
Calamine Lotion:Relief for Minor Allergies
If you suffer from the itching that so often accompanies insect bites, calamine lotion can help. Calamine lotion can also provide temporary relief from rashes caused by poison ivy and other irritants. It is less effective for treating severe symptoms.
Eye Drops
Itching, redness and discomfort in the eyes can be soothed with eye drops. Eye drops have few side effects, although some over-the-counter eye drops can cause irritation if used for long periods of time. Eye drops can be very effective for short-term relief. Some people chill eye drops before using them to gain extra relief from the cool liquid.
Allergic Asthma Medication
Singulair® is an asthma medication that is available in tablet and chewable tablet forms. It has a proven record of controlling asthma by reducing inflammation, and many people find it helps control allergic reactions. Singulair must be taken regularly to work: it cannot be used to treat reactions once they start. Available by prescription, Singulair’s side effects can include headaches, nasal congestion, stomach pain, dizziness and skin rashes.