Medical Treatment for Allergies

For some people, changing their lifestyle brings little or no allergy relief. In their cases, medical treatment may be the best way to combat the allergy onslaught. Some options include:

• Immunotherapy  is designed to lessen a patient's sensitivity to an allergen. The patient receives a series of injections of the allergen in increasing concentrations. If he or she is able to build a tolerance for the allergen, symptoms become less and less severe. Some patients report long-term success with this treatment, while others' symptoms reappear after treatment has stopped.
• Decongestant medications can drain the sinuses and relieve congestion and sinus pressure. Many allergy sufferers turn to over-the-counter varieties, including pills, nasal sprays and liquids. These may provide temporary relief, but long-term use can worsen symptoms.
• Antihistamines minimize the body's reaction to the histamines produced when the immune system reacts to an allergen. Because histamines cause such symptoms as itchy and runny eyes and nose, antihistamines tend to dry the sinuses and relieve these symptoms. Topical antihistamine creams can help relieve the itching that is common with insect bites and other skin irritants. Side effects may include drowsiness and lack of alertness.
• Nasal sprays and creams can be used to coat the nasal passages. Nasal steroid creams lessen the inflammation in the nose and the amount of mucous produced. Nasal sprays which contain cromolyn sodium act as antihistamines, and can limit allergy symptoms in the nose and sinuses.